CURRENT MISSION

Whatever you want in life, give it away

ABOUT ME

I am 20 years old and a student of Psychology and Neuroscience at Carleton College in Minnesota. I like to think that I am fun, funny, and respectful. I love to read as much as I love to run - a lot:) I also play Ultimate Frisbee - in college as well as with a team here in Denmark while I study here. My attitude is gratitude - I have so many wonderful people and things in my life, and I love encountering new ones.

PHILOSOPHY

To rephrase what I said above, my philosophy is positivity. I see the good inasmuch as I can, but I also have a deep concern for those less fortunate than me - when I ask myself the BIG WHY?, I find that the only sufficient answer for me is that life is about helping others. I try to make that my aim in most of what I do, be it in everyday interactions, making people laugh and laughing with them, seeking an education that can one day contribute to a greater good, or supporting my teammates in intense Ultimate Frisbee games.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

To me, travel is the best thing money can buy. Accomodations during travel, however, are not as high on my list of preferred expenditures:) I love meeting and learning from new people, and that is a large part of why I am joining CS. Right now, as I am a student traveling outside of my home country, I am hoping to find accommodations in Europe. In a time where no one can hitch hike anymore, I am inspired by this organization. I look forward to returning the generosity of hosting fellow surfers when I have resettled in the States!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

As a new member, I haven't had one CS experience yet! However, I have had people open up their homes to me. For example, I spent over a month in the summer of 2008 living with a family in Guatemala. The mother is a psychologist, and I was also there to work for and with her. It was a very valuable experience - to see such hospitality as well as learn about being a helpful member/guest were things that will stick with me forever, among many others.

Interests

Positive Psychology, Ultimate Frisbee, John Steinbeck, Neuroscience, Kurt Vonnegut, Dr. Paul Farmer, humor, cooking and great food in general.

• education
• dining
• cooking
• running
• traveling
• hiking
• teaching
• neuroscience
• psychology

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies - What's Up, Tiger Lily?; Anchorman; Super Troopers; The Shining
Music - I could go on forever.. Drake, Talib Kweli, John Mayer, Ratatat, Phoenix, Daft Punk, Justice, Beruit, The Bad Plus, Arrested Development, Futurecop!
Books - East of Eden, Cat's Cradle, A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Napalm and Silly Putty, Mountains Beyond Mountains, Atonement

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Run with a pack of buffaloes on the southern Portuguese coast

Teach, Learn, Share

Something that I have become aware of and am still learning is how important it is to distinguish between things you can control and things you cannot. Some things happen regardless of you - what you do have control over, however, is your response. To give a metaphorical example, you can't stop it from raining, but you can choose your reaction. I am becoming more and more convinced that a positive attitude is a huge step towards a meaningful life. If I could share this contagious attitude with those around me, I would be all the more delighted:)

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