My name is Ela (EE-la) and I’m a 2nd-year film student at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts USA. I grew up on a horse farm in Kentucky, USA.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’m on couchsurfing because I want to experience the most localized environment in each of the places I travel to, and learn about the people, the social culture, work culture, and food culture. I want to get to know the people that I stay with and make life long friends if possible!

Interests

I love the arts, in general. I’m pursuing film production, specifically cinematography, as a career path; I play the electric guitar and love going to concerts and live shows; I like cooking and baking and aesthetic food preparation (I formerly had a baking business specializing in cake decoration); I like being active outside doing things like hiking and swimming; I like high adrenaline situations—roller coasters are a breeze and I really want to go skydiving.

• arts
• culture
• books
• literature
• design
• fashion
• photography
• film making
• music festivals
• italian food
• cooking
• coffee
• movies
• traveling
• socializing
• drawing
• music
• live music
• rock music
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• backpacking
• skydiving
• art history
• food
• film photography
• social justice
• film
• exploring
• meeting new people
• cinematography
• turkish food
• art museums
• coffee shops

Music, Movies, and Books

I mainly listen to different kinds of rock spanning anywhere from the 60s to the 90s (my favorite artists right now are the Velvet Underground and the Beastie Boys). My favorite films are Fantastic Mr Fox and Mid-90s, but I also love Boogie Nights and Cléo from 5 to 7. My favorite book I’ve ever read is The Secret History by Donna Tartt but Patti Smith’s Just Kids or Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch is a close second.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In the last few months of my senior year of high school, I made my first short film, shaved my head, and shipped myself off to Europe to backpack solo, and it was the single best experience of my life so I’m doing it again :)

Teach, Learn, Share

More than anything I would love to exchange conversation about our different cultures and just general interests. I’m fascinated with other people and the world and just want to learn as much as so can! I can give traveling recommendations (I’ve been to 12 countries and counting); I know quite a bit about film production; and I love to talk about films and music.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I really love cooking and baking! And I love to experiment so I would make you whatever you’d like! Recent favorites have been cardamom tahini zucchini bread as well as date tahini banana cake (I’m on a sesame kick). Tomato alla vodka with rigatoni is my fav and I’ve been told I make a mean chocolate cake. I could additionally help out with whatever is happening around the house, or pick something up for you in the city! I’m happy to help with anything.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Austria, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States