Hello, I'm Elle! I have a great love for foreign pick-up lines, quotes I wish I’d written myself, slam poetry, train travel, and detours. I am passionate about social entrepreneurship and sustainable development with a focus on access to education and data-driven solutions to our greatest problems. I would very much describe this point in my life as "in progress," and I'm learning to appreciate the journey of becoming who I'd like to be in ten years. My philosophy is to focus on doing good rather than doing well. Above all, I am an advocate, friend, traveler, learner, writer, and questioner of things.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I began to couchsurfing and hosting couchsurfers when I joined this community five years ago, and couchsurfers have continued to be some of the most kind, fun-loving, spontaneous people I've encountered. Since joining the platform, I've hosted surfers in three countries and surfed in many more. Some think I'm crazy when I tell them that I participate in couchsurfing, but I suppose you just have to have a little faith because it's really a two way street - opening your home up to a stranger and stepping into a stranger's home - and through that leap of faith, I've gotten to meet cherished friends and experience adventures I couldn't have imagined.

Currently, I'm based in Indianapolis, IN and looking forward to hosting and meeting people visiting Indy!

Interests

There is so much to say, but I really just like trying new things and challenging myself to grow and to question what I'm capable of doing. I love to be in nature and hike whenever the opportunity presents itself, but also enjoy wandering around a museum for hours or curling up in a cafe to read or write home. In the summer of 2015, I helped film two shorts about ethnic minority art in China, and since then, I've had so many more ideas for short films bouncing around in head, so I'm trying to learn more about filming and editing in my free time. I'm passionate about learning and developing new skills, and above all, I love to create and share.

• arts
• writing
• poetry
• cooking
• traveling
• socializing
• drawing
• hiking
• surfing
• track and field
• entrepreneurship
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

I'll try anything once, but indie music happens to be what I listen to most. When I want to go to a happy place, I listen to Regina Spektor, Amber Rubarth, Birdy, The Killers, The Cinematic Orchestra, and Milky Chance.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love people who are passionate about what they do, because they're the best teachers, and people who create, because they have the most fun. In my own life, I love to hear, write, and share stories. I would be happy to talk about social entrepreneurship, zero waste living, tiny houses, vegetarianism, minimalism, painting, film and really any other topic you can think of. I've also been known to give pretty ratchet travel tips.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can bring a smile, an open mind, and stories for days. I'm a native speaker of English and Chinese, but I'm also proficient in German and aspiring to learn even more languages, so I would love to exchange language and start a dialogue. I love to cook and bake, and I've been told that I make a mean chili.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, Macao, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Germany, United States