CURRENT MISSION

Doing my best to be global

ABOUT ME

I returned to the US in 2013 after living 7 years in China in Wuhan and Shanghai. During that time I learned a foreign language, met amazing people from all over the world, and developed a passion for travel and exploration. Since my return to the US, I opened a US/China trade consulting company that facilitates business and education projects between the two countries, meaning I make regular visits to China. I have taught an intercultural communication class at Ohio State University's business school and am involved in my community as much as I can, including organizations to help make Columbus more global, like Columbus Sister Cities. In short, I am lucky to have so many great experiences abroad and I do my best to help Americans around me develop a more global mindset.

Columbus is a great town, very American, and is slowly acquiring talent from around the world. It's an easy city to live in, with friendly people and something always going on. And it never feels too big. It's been a great change of pace after living in the China megacities. I'm happy to share my time here and suggest places to explore.

PHILOSOPHY

I find myself connecting with people who are curious about the world and ambitious about life. I don't necessarily mean ambitious about work, but people who are passionate about something and enjoy cultivating and sharing it with others in a positive way.

"So many worlds, so much to do, so little done, such things to be."
Alfred Lord Tennyson

"The highest result of education is tolerance."
Helen Keller

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Have hosted, donated money, advertised CS to worthy future CouchSurfers, and provide as much travel info as I can.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Was an occasional tour guide in Wuhan, couchsurfed a few times in various places and often hosted/met up often in Shanghai. I usually meet up with fellow CSers and locals when I travel to a place to hang out and get the local tour, and learn more about the area. I usually book a cheap hostel or hotel room so I have my own place to be messy.

Interests

- Learning about/communicating with different people. Travel and languages fits this nicely
- Exploring my surroundings
- Music/guitar
- Sports - I'm a runner and have run marathons on 2 continents (Asia, N.A) and counting
-Diving in the tropical parts of the world. Trained in Ohio but have dived in the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Jamaica and Panama
- Food - I fear no texture or spice

• culture
• books
• education
• dining
• running
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• scuba diving
• sports
• business
• teaching
• languages
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Open to all types of music and movies. Not afraid of subtitles.

As a hack social scientist I read a bit of nonfiction related to negotiation/conflict resolution. Favorite authors are William Faulkner, Kurt Vonnegut, Mark Twain, George Orwell, Douglas Coupland, Shel Silverstein, and Roald Dahl.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Every day with my passport is an amazing one.

Teach, Learn, Share

- I know a little bit about Chinese language and culture
- I've spent enough time out of the US to look at it objectively
- I also know a little about about negotiation, conflict resolution and cross cultural communication
- Also a proud Ohioan and born on Lake Erie so I'm more than happy to amaze you about the "Heart of it All"
- My next goal is attacking Spanish language
- Always looking for people to explore the world

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Laos, Luxembourg, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States

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