CURRENT MISSION

Become fluent in at least 5 languages by immersing myself in lands where they are spoken. Itinerary: Korean, Japanese, German, Spanish, (maybe) Arabic. I have lots of thoughts on learning languages and am looking for universal principles.

ABOUT ME

Recent PhD graduate (Linguistics) figuring out life post-academia. China exile (after 10 years) looking for the next horizon to grow and develop. The US is obviously too crazy to go back to. So, I am just traveling for the next X months, studying languages, eating my fill of local delicacies, meeting people, swapping stories, getting into shape, and feeding my caffeine addiction.

PHILOSOPHY

The unexamined life is not worth living.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've been away from Couchsurfing for a while, and curious to see how it has survived the Airbnb revolution.
It seems hostels have become a little too "corporate" and its harder and harder to meet people to make those meaningful, if fleeting, connections.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Had a wonderful half year of travel in China in 2013 alternating between hostels and couches. Despite settling in Beijing for five years, I was in a cramped dormroom, so I still look forward to one day settling down so that I can pay it forward.

Interests

I spend most of my free time studying languages, training for (half) marathons, writing, drinking coffee, and hiking.

• books
• coffee
• movies
• reading
• languages
• mountains
• food
• alcohol

Music, Movies, and Books

So much, so little time, and so many podcasts to keep up with. My music tastes trend to hard rock and metal, but I am generally non-judgmental about other people's tastes.
I am a cinephile and junkie of prestige TV and sitcoms. I have two external hard drives full of content.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Trekking the Himalayas and reaching Everest Base Camp on my birthday

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can cook (Tex-Mex, Italian, Chinese some Indian) and I am a good language exchange partner.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Argentina, China, Germany, Thailand, United States