[Started on a Ph.D. since mid-Covid times and coming back to CS for the first time since Covid hit.]

I have reached the point in my life where I realise that I intend to be a rooted cosmopolitan: taking Singapore as home and being open to the world, whether it is with meeting guests from abroad in Singapore, or travelling overseas.

(Am unable to host as I have a squeezy living situation at home with my family.)

I would like to meet new friends from around the world and just exchange with one another so that we can expand our experiences and networks together in the time we share (also while meeting people in Singapore, just paying it forward the amazing hospitality I received in South Africa, Belgium, Denmark and Detroit)

I'd say I'm the type of friend you meet once every six months just to talk about life and why we are here, who are we, where are we going.

I’m currently a PhD candidate in literature education and have spent some time dabbling in the theatre previously (on hold now because I have a thesis to write), with some literary interests, and also am a b-boy (breakdancer).

I’m also a wrestling fan of sorts, watch a little too much YouTube sometimes trying to understand more about the human psyche. I'd say I'm generally more inclined to the arts, but not a total geek or connoisseur either.

I do enjoy visiting places that are off the beaten track and to me, even a walk through ordinary looking places with a conversation is a total event in itself. A bit of urban exploration is always fun.

Try and teach me some words of your most familiar languages. I don't speak many languages, but I somehow can pick up a few words across languages quite easily, so I’d appreciate a speaking challenge!

Let's talk about anything from the silliness to the suffering of life. Let's talk about social realities and where we find ourselves in the world. Let's talk about dreams yet to be fulfilled and stories worth preserving.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To restore my belief that there are great people around the world; if you reach out well from a good place then there's lots of small surprises to be found & kept!

Interests

The arts in general: particularly theatre and literature. Breakdance. Beatboxing. Conversation. Walks. YouTube. Urban exploration. Writing.

• writing
• literature
• education
• cooking
• running
• music
• teaching
• history
• parkour
• theatre
• breakdancing

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
Atmospheric / ambient music; Interpol; Moderat; Keane; I’m sure there’s more but lazy to list them all now haha

Movies:
Children of Men; There Will Be Blood; 500 Days of Summer; Inception

Some books that have shaken me:
J M Coetzee - Disgrace; Abdelrahman Munif - Cities of Salt; Joe Sacco - Palestine

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Met the original legendary hip-hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc in the Bronx, New York at his 65th birthday party in April 2017 because of a series of amazing turns within a single day.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can definitely teach English. Literature and the arts in general are topics I can share. B-boying/B-girling and beatboxing are some fun things to exchange on. We can also exchange inspiration on creative activities and life outlooks.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories of being an international student; stories of Singapore; casual and deep conversation; academic life

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Singapore, United Kingdom