CURRENT MISSION

On the Road and/or Suitcase Open ^^

ABOUT ME

I have been so fortunate to visit 70 countries on
all 7 continents!!
I gravitate and have natural affinity for internationals because so many have helped me in my studies, travels, and day-to-day living in or visiting their countries. Past our veneer, I enjoy people, I am engaged by deep culture, what is below the surface of
a person, of a culture. This never gets old to me.

PHILOSOPHY

I'll always have more to learn compared to
what I have to teach.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

With vigor, enthusiasm, and encouragement!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Heard about CS through a friend in Brazil - nice
pad in Copacabana, Rio - was there for Carnaval '10!

Interests

I am crazy for food, sports, and all kinds of dance.
I've taken ballroom here, there, and in korea. Great fun, but one must check the ego at the door, its frustrating! Latin dances are my fave: cha-cha, salsa, merenge'.

• culture
• dancing
• dining
• modeling
• sports

Music, Movies, and Books

Sound of Music, the end all!
my book is a journal - like my suitcase, and hopefully
my heart - always OPEN! ^^

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

7 continents, a dream, a privilege.

"I went outside to find a friend, but could not find one there.
I went outside to BE a friend, and friends were everywhere."

Teach, Learn, Share

My field is Intercultural Communication,
Cross-Cultural Communication from a very relational,
practical approach. This is a 2 minute video highlight of my presentation called "Intercultural SuperHighway"

http://fpamediaserver.wcu.edu/~sandbox/johnstiles-2b.html
Communication in Latin simply means "to share" ...
this is the way I try to live and the approach from
which I come in modeling and encouraging others.
When we have these cross-cultural experiences, it is
our responsibility to share with others the wealth of
knowledge, culture, passion we soak up during our excursions. But we must squeeze out every bit of the
sponge to allow the passion to trickle down to others.