Hello! My name is Emma, and I’m a recent graduate of Yale University with a B.S. in Psychology. Now, I’m figuring out my next steps and taking some time to relax and travel before searching for jobs! I'm new to using couchsurfing and I'm really looking forward to meeting people from around the globe through this incredible network.

I absolutely love...

1. Literature. One of my favorite pastimes is burying myself in a book for an entire day. Victorian novels are my favorites, and I especially love Jane Eyre.
2. Music. I play the clarinet, ukulele, and sing! I feel that making music with others is one of the most magical experiences. I love many different types of music—classical, folk, alternative, jazz.
3. The outdoors. Hiking, biking, ultimate frisbee, swimming, surfing, snowboarding…you name it!
4. Baking. Whenever I’m home, I try to bake at least one new recipe! I especially love baking (and decorating) pies! I’d love to bake something for any couchsurfing hosts or guests!

Some random facts about me:

1. My favorite bird is the American goldfinch (I love birds).
2. My drink of choice at practically any time of day is chamomile tea.
3. I am a photic sneezer, which means that I typically sneeze reflexively three times whenever I encounter bright light (this is a real thing, I promise! https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-bright-light-cau/).

I am passionate about promoting resilience and reducing mental illness in youth who have been exposed to difficult early environments. I spent a lot of time in college doing community mental health work and mental health advocacy, which I found incredibly fulfilling. I plan to eventually pursue an MD/MBA or MD/MPH and am particularly interested in child health and development, mental health advocacy, health equity, entrepreneurship, and social innovation.

I’m warm, outgoing, curious, and thoughtful. I value long conversations, laughter, and forming deep relationships with others. I try my hardest to always be an excellent listener and compassionate friend. I’m always excited to try new activities, foods, etc…, and am ready for any adventure that comes my way!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've never couchsurfed before, mostly because I haven't had an apartment or enough of my own space to host before, but I'm so excited to join this community and to expand my network of friends. I love asking questions and learning about different cultures and ways of living. I’ve always found that the best parts of traveling come from forming new relationships and learning from locals. I’m interested in seeing the places I’m traveling to through the eyes of people who know and love those places. I’m attracted to the open, curious ethos of the couchsurfing community, and am excited to learn from my couchsurfing hosts and guests (and hopefully share my own stories as well!).

Interests

• animals
• birds
• arts
• singing
• dancing
• cooking
• baking
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• music
• classical music
• hiking
• surfing
• medicine
• travel
• food
• beach
• tea
• biking
• ultimate frisbee
• karate
• mental health
• exploring nature
• clarinet
• jane austen

Music, Movies, and Books

The three Janes: Jane Eyre, Jane Austen novels, and Jane the Virgin!

I have too many books that I love to name... Fiction is definitely my genre of choice, and I still reread the Harry Potter novels sometimes (when I'm nostalgic for childhood!).

Some of my favorite musicians include Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones, and Ingrid Michaelson. Classical music is probably my favorite genre of music, and Brahms, Mahler, and Tchaikovsky are three of my favorite composers. I also love jazz, folk, alternative, and pop (among other genres).

I'm much more of a tv show person than a movie person, and some of my favorite shows include: Game of Thrones, Jane the Virgin, Downton Abbey, Cable Girls, and The Crown.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm friendly, helpful, responsible, and very flexible! I'd love to cook or bake something for you, and hopefully we can spend time talking and hanging out together! I'm happy to help with any other household tasks as well.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belize, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Portugal, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States