Hi, I am Eric, a student from China. I studied my Master in Translating and Interpreting for two years at Newcastle University. I just moved to Cambridge for me new job and I look forward to making new friends here.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I want to know more people and learn more about other culture, and I introduce Chinese culture to them in return. I believe the basic principle of being a couchsurfer is to follow the host's own lifestyle, to show respect and gratitude to the host--the one who opens his or her home and heart to a total stranger. I believe it is a great way to meet different people and make friends that I wouldn't even meet if I were to stay in hostels. I am also planning to start hosting people later as a way of giving back.

Interests

-If you play badminton, we can have a match or something.

-If you watch Glee, we can sing a duet or something.

-If you also have a passion about plants, then we can go into the woods together.

• culture
• singing
• badminton
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

-Music: GLEE CAST(MY FAVORITE!!!) Christina Perri, Imagine Dragons, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, One Republic, Owl City, P!nk, The Band Perry, Train,

-TV: I watch Glee, an American TV show which has brought many old and classic songs back to main stream, I pretty much love all the songs on the show but I also listen to show tunes.

-Movies: I watch all X-Men series and the movies are very cool, especially I love the characters in the movies and their special skills. I am also a fan of the Hunger Games, and have watched the all three movies for many times.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Being an interpreter for the United Nations for one week. I was honoured to be selected as one of the twelve trainee interpreters from the programme I studied to visit the United Nations in Vienna and complete an interpreting placement. Before I came to study in Newcastle, I had always dreamed of visiting the United Nations, seeing how it works and how being an interpreter for the UN feels like. This is pretty much the motivation why I chose to do interpreting. It is really a dream-come-true experience.

The placement was about working as an UN staff interpreter and interpreting for the 58th Session of UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. This was a great opportunity for me to apply what I have learnt to practice. With the other eleven trainee interpreters, we provide simultaneous interpreting between English and Chinese. During this placement, I have had a better understanding of what it means and takes to be an UN interpreter. What made me very proud was that even though I was just an intern and my interpretation could not be heard by the delegates at the conference, I still felt that I made own contribution to the United Nations by facilitating the communication.

Teach, Learn, Share

Like I said, I am an interpreter, and many people do not know what an interpreter is or does. I am willing to share with you my experiences as an interpreter so far.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, South Korea, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United Kingdom