Hi! I'm a 19 year old student at the University of Pennsylvania and I'm taking a trip to South Korea this January 2015. I would say I'm an out-going, adventurous person who's fun to get along with and loves making new friends. I am also learning to speak Korean and hope to practice while I'm there.
I love meeting new people and talking about past trips I've been on, trying new and exciting foods and experiences, and visiting new places.

Phone Number: 1-916-220-1128

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I plan to study abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, but because my plane arrives on January 20th and my semester doesn't start until February, I am looking for a place to stay for about 15 days. I really hope to explore South Korea a bit before my semester starts, and I really want to be in the southern part, around Changwon or Jinju, for its beautiful weather, landscapes, and exciting food!
I'm also learning Korean and really want to practice it on my trip. I would love to meet someone who can tell me about Korea and host me briefly while I visit.
I'm hoping to find a nice place around Changwon or Jinju to stay until my semester starts in February, or multiple places.
If anyone is able to host me, even just briefly, I'd really appreciate it!

Interests

Music: I play the piano, guitar, saxophone, and clarinet, and would be happy to play for anyone.

Studying Korean: I backpacked across Korea in 2013 and I have been improving my Korean ever since.

I love to teach! I tutor in Philadelphia, used to teach music and Taekwondo, and hope to become a professor some day. I am also thinking of teaching English in South Korea after I graduate.

I also love to cook and am trying to learn to cook Korean food.

• culture
• dining
• cooking
• instructor
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• piano
• backpacking
• rock climbing
• teaching
• study abroad
• volunteering
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I like all types of music, including alternative rock (like Airborne Toxic Event, Foo Fighters), classic rock (like the Beatles, the Who), jazz (like Charlie Parker), and classical. I also like Korean music a lot (like Davichi, 나얼, Primary)

Movies: Amelie, Clockwork Orange, Love911, Les Miserables, Inception

Books: Hamlet, 아프니까 청춘이다, Heart of Darkness

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2013, just after graduating high school in California, I took a backpacking trip by myself across South Korea. I stayed mostly in hostels and jjimjilbang, traveling with one backpack, volunteering for 2 weeks in Jecheon and Hwaseong, climbing mountains near Jeonju, and making a lot of friends in Korea while I was only 18. Since then, I have worked hard to study Korean alongside my major in college and look forward to going back!

Teach, Learn, Share

I am learning Korean. When I graduate, I am thinking about going to Korea to teach English for a year and I hope to one day become a professor.

I am happy to teach English to anyone, music, or even Taekwondo as I was a Taekwondo instructor for 7 years growing up.

I have many pictures of my life in the United States, in New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and my hometown Folsom! I would be happy to share them!

I really hope to learn more about Korean culture, improve my Korean, and make friends in Korea. I'm a loyal friend and I hope that we will get along well!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love to cook and would be happy to cook for someone!
I can also share all of my music and play for someone.
I have a lot of stories to tell about my travels and would be very happy to share them and get to know more about Korea.
I can help anyone who wants to practice English as well.
I would be happy to share my photos from all my trips to France, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or anywhere in the United States.
Lastly, if anyone has anything in particular they need around their place or are curious about my life as an American university student, I would be happy to help!

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, France, Mexico, South Korea

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States