Hey! My name is Dan, and I'm currently a medical student at the University of Rochester in upstate New York. My dream is to become a global physician to serve communities around the world and to start clinics in places that don't have sufficient healthcare.

Previously, I was on an expedition to visit every country in the world to explore this beautiful planet and to learn more about the different cultures and people that inhabit it. Unfortunately, COVID-19 put a pause on that goal, but I am currently planning to attend medical school this upcoming year. Aside from teaching, I also do international work in Kenya, and one of my biggest dreams is to provide better health care access to people in all corners of the world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet new people and experience new cultures!

I've used Couchsurfing a hand-full of times, and every single experience has been incredibly positive so far. When I am back home, I would love to give back to the community and offer to host as well.

Interests

My biggest interests are:

- traveling: why I’m currently on this trip around the world. I traveled independently to Tanzania last summer for an internship, and this experience made me fall in love with learning about the world through travel.

- music: I’ve grown up taking piano and viola lessons. I’ve also self-taught guitar and ukulele, and I’m also a casual singer.

- outdoor adventures: from hiking to canyoning, I love anything that has to do with the outdoors

- health: as a Global Public Health major, I’m very interested in the different health issues around the world

• singing
• photography
• reading
• traveling
• blogging
• music
• guitar
• piano
• hiking
• budget travel
• eating
• ukulele
• nature
• friends
• adventure
• learning languages
• health
• exploring
• new cultures
• hiking in the mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: John Mayer, Frederic Chopin, Elton John, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran, The xx, Bon Iver, Joe Hisaishi, Frank Sinatra

Books: The Alchemist, When Breath Becomes Air, The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, Harry Potter, The Kingkiller Chronicle, How to Change Your Mind, The Stranger, The Count of Monte Cristo

Movies: Forrest Gump, your name., Princess Mononoke, Memento, The Lion King

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

There are a lot I’ve been fortunate enough to do during my travels—here are a few:

- starting a primary health clinic in Kenya

- visit over 130 countries!

- climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 5 days (Tanzania)

- swimming with humpback whales (Tonga)

- doing a handstand on Kjeragbolten (Norway)

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach - ukulele and piano, budget traveling

Learn - local languages, culture, what to do—anything really

Share - my music, travel tips, stories, massages

What I Can Share with Hosts

Language exchange, teaching ukulele, stories from travels

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Federated States of, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Yemen, Åland Islands

Countries I’ve Lived In

Kenya, Tanzania, United States