Hi! I'm a 21-year-old student at Stanford University studying English (Literature and Creative Writing) and Italian. This spring, I will be studying abroad in Oxford for the months of April, May, and June, and I'm looking forward to exploring the UK and other places in Europe!

I caught the travel bug from my parents, who took my two brothers and me to live abroad for a year in Ningbo, China, when I was 12 years old. Since then, I've traveled to 13 different countries on 4 different continents. This summer, I'll also be interning at a children's home in Maai Mahiu, Kenya.

Outside of traveling, my hobbies include drawing and painting, reading (although that's probably true about most English majors!), hiking and running, spending time with friends and family, and having meaningful conversations. I love thinking about philosophy and theology in particular, and I really enjoy engaging with people and hearing their stories and beliefs. I also tutor middle and high schoolers part-time and am considering going into teaching after college.

I look forward to getting to know you!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

As a student, I'm hoping that, through Couchsurfing, I'll be able to afford to travel to new and interesting places. I'm also really excited about the opportunity Couchsurfing offers to meet new people all over the world!

Interests

• literature
• painting
• hiking
• philosophy
• italian

Music, Movies, and Books

Asking an English major to choose a favorite book is kind of like asking a mother to choose her favorite child, but a few of my favorites include Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, and the entirety of the Harry Potter series.

My music tastes are pretty varied, but a few of my favorite artists include Lorde, Lake Street Dive, Mumford & Sons, Glass Animals, and alt-J.

Some of my favorite movies include The Princess Bride and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I once baked an apple pie from scratch in a toaster oven in China. Since then, I've baked quite a few apple pies from scratch, but (usually) in real ovens.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm a self-taught artist, and I enjoy drawing and painting. I'd be happy to teach a few tips and tricks, let you look through my sketchbook, or make a quick sketch or watercolor for you!

I also would love the opportunity to practice my Italian. I'm at a conversational level right now, but I need more practice to gain confidence.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm considerate of other people's space and possessions and I tend to be pretty neat and clean. I'm more than happy to pitch in on any household tasks, and I enjoy cooking and baking. I've been told I'm a good listener, I enjoy meeting new people, and I love learning from others!

Countries I’ve Visited

Bulgaria, Canada, France, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Philippines, Romania, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Italy