ABOUT ME

I think my friends would say that I'm an outgoing, caring, and observant person. They would say I have a big heart, care about my family more than most people, and attract people with my smile. They might talk about how I'm always happy to go with the flow, how I can be perfectly content baking cookies at home and watching The Princess Bride or having a couple drinks and dancing the night away. They would definitely say something about my loud and embarrassing laugh, my willingness to explore and find adventures everywhere I go, and my love of elephants, yellow, collaging, and hugs. When asked about my flaws they would probably say I over-think everything, I have impossibly high expectations for myself, I procrastinate anything that has a timeline, I avoid conflict a little too much, and I don't know how to say no.

Interests

I'm a traveler. I've known this since I was a small child and my parents took us on extended international family vacations. When I was 11 I decided I would travel the world when I turned 18. Sure enough, when I graduated high school I set off on a year long journey through South America, Central America, and Mexico. I gain new perspectives, new appreciation, and broader understandings by immersing myself in new cultures, ideas, and languages. I love how travel continues to open my mind, humble me, teach me, invigorate me, and ultimately define who I am.
I love the great outdoors; hiking, running, kayaking or going for an ocean swim are the most invigorating and rejuvenating activities I can think of. Being outside helps me to put my life in perspective and appreciate my world and the greater universe around me. Connecting with nature helps me reflect and slow down in ways I find difficult in my daily life.
I also enjoy crafts, especially collaging using whatever materials are available. I'm getting certified to become a primary teacher so any children's arts and crafts activity captures my attention, my creativity, and my childish spirit. Planting seeds and baking also fall into this creative category that I always make space for in my free time.
Finally, I love to study, learn, and educate myself and others. I'm currently a student at Vassar College and I'm lucky to say I feel passionate about every class I take whether it's psychology, international studies, anthropology, or geography. I find fulfillment in studying our world from many different perspectives, learning from experts, and discovering new knowledge on my own through various forms of experiential learning. Along with becoming a teacher, I know I'll be a lifelong learner.

• arts
• performing arts
• architecture
• dancing
• baking
• running
• walking
• drinking
• crafts
• traveling
• eating out
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• kayaking
• swimming
• anthropology
• teaching
• geography
• languages
• psychology

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Recently I went to Cuba on a two week trip. I befriended a group of Cuban rappers who were involved in social activism, political participation through their art, and empowering young people. My last night in La Havana they invited me and a couple friends out to watch another musical group perform. After an awesome night of talent and dancing my friends went home, but I stayed talking with the group; I was fascinated by their perspectives on their country, the world, and their job. We did the two hour walk back to my hotel along the malecon (Habana's oceanside boardwalk). After reaching the hotel, I was so engrossed in conversation with Rey Jamal, one of the lead rappers and dancers of the group, that we simply sat down in the lobby and talked for a couple hours more. I was stunned when we finally got up and walked out of the hotel to see the sun rising over the now bustling streets of this historic city. The colonial architecture, juxtaposition of light and dark, mundane nature of the Cuban people commuting to work--so extraordinary to me, and residual energy of innovation, exception, and life that I felt inside of me from my conversations. As the sun filtered through the balconies of tall buildings, the bicycle tires of Cuban taxis, and the exhaust from the bus I accompanied my friend to, I felt so in touch, so alive, so small, and so real. In that moment, the world made sense and the interconnection of humanity was palpable.

During my junior year of high school I went to live in Ecuador for 8 months because I have an uncle who lives in Quito. I stayed with a family that was friends with him and they became my family. I feel for them the same special love you can only feel toward family. When I returned to Ecuador a year later, my 19 year old sister was 2 months pregnant. Being a part of the pregnancy and seeing and holding my new nephew Benjamin minutes after he was born was one of the most impacting and special moments of my life. Being there to support my sister through this unplanned and life changing event taught me what strength and growing up really mean. The experience illuminated many subtle cultural differences between us but ultimately showed us our similarities and the importance of optimism and generosity in times of need. Loving my nephew taught me how powerful and real this feeling can really be and how I want to dedicate my life to children. I remember feeling so amazed at the vulnerability, innocence, and opportunity embodied in the tiny bundle in my arms that just minutes before had been inside my sister's body.

Despite two years of separation, I remember the physical feeling of walking into the ruins at Machu Pichu as the sun was rising, giving an even deeper sensation of magical power to these incredible stone structures and mountainous terrain. Simply breathtaking.

What I Can Share with Hosts

An open mind, a listening ear, a crazy laugh.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ecuador, Spain, United States