CURRENT MISSION

To explore the earth, gain new experiences, and promote positive and meaningful intercultural exchanges

ABOUT ME

Chessa-I am a student majoring at the Kenan-Flagler business school at UNC Chapel Hill where I am also minoring in sustainability, a new program I helped develop. I have spent the last 6 months studying abroad at ESSEC, right outside of Paris, and traveling Europe for the first time. The history and lines of European cities leave me breathless. I love to paint and am an expert people watcher. Now down to the good stuff:I am an eternal optimist. My favorite movie is still Disney's Beauty and the Beast (probably because of previous statement). I have never eaten meat. I have double jointed elbows and various other oddities that probably qualify me to work in a Carnival. I have eaten a 5 kilo jar of nutella. Once I start reading I basically become legally deaf. Music determines my mood. Considering its such a large part of life, I still can't dance to it for more than 30 seconds at a time without tripping over my own feet.

Mat- I'm an international business major at San Diego State University just having finished with a semester at ESSEC near Paris. I play guitar and have been a DJ for 6 years, performing in venues across California, France, and the Netherlands. Music is my passion. I'm a very relaxed person who likes to have good, intelligent conversations. I'm always up to try something new and explore. I don't like limits and try to get the most out of every life experience.

PHILOSOPHY

Every day is an opportunity to do something new and make a difference. Embrace the fact that at any given second, life can take you in an unexpected, unparalleled direction.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We are new to the project and hope to contribute to the community soon

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I (Mat) had a friend use CouchSurfing in Japan and met a very kind Florida Park Ranger there. In turn when both of us went to Florida to visit other friends, we stayed one night with him and had an incredible time at his place. Otherwise, this is Chessa's and my first time actually going through it so looking forward to being a happy couch surfing couple!

Interests

Chessa-Cooking, painting, reading, listening to music, exploring little side streets in new cities

Mat- music, DJing, traveling, good food, living the local life

• culture
• beauty
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• music
• guitar
• cycling
• surfing
• business
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Chessa-

Music: Citizen Cope, Splender, Third Eye Blind, Coldplay, John Mayer, Eve 6, R&B, and top 40 when I'm getting ready to go out.

Books: The Time Traveler's Wife, nerdy fantasy fiction, A Tale of Two Cities

Movies: Seven, Harry Potter, Young Frankenstein, Hitch, Beauty and the Beast, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Mat-

Music: varies but usually alternative rock, hip hop, electro, house, some trance, and oldies. As a DJ, my tastes run pretty eclectic.

Books:Angels and Demons, Johnny Got His Gun, Congo

Movies: A Beautiful Mind, Les Visiteurs, Harry Potter series, Disney, Seven, Underworld Trilogy, some stand up comedy.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Chessa-

I have seen: Les Gorges du Verdon (considered to be Europe's version of the grand canyon)

I have done: I single-handedly put out a house-fire. I have gone almost 2 months publicly walking around with almost no front teeth after losing them in a fluke mountain biking incident in Grenoble, France

Mat-

The most amazing place I've seen is the south of France and an amazing thing I've done is live in another country for 7 months and be able to travel around so much easier.

Teach, Learn, Share

The most fascinating concept that I have ever learned about: Have you ever heard of a dermoid cyst? If not, look it up!

We both know a bunch of random facts and love to laugh and experience the world around us. We look forward to learning about what you've done, the local culture, traditions, etc while sharing with you what drives us to do what we do.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, United States