Hi I'm Grayson. I've been teaching English and working as a sales and marketing manager in China for the past year. I came to China(a life long dream) to learn Mandarin and explore the richness of Chinese culture. Since my time here I have discovered my passion, international relations. I plan to join the US Foreign Service and thus will be applying to grad school later this year. BUT, before I go getting myself into TONS of debt I want to 'fly-free' and travel for a few months before heading home (this may be my last chance to do so!). My game plan, in short: I plan to travel overland from Beijing China through SE Asia and then up to India.

So thats my plan, but now a little bit about who I am! I'm California born and raised. I have a deep respect and interest in cultures other than my own and love learning new things. Being creative and enjoying the ourdoors (being active/healthy) are essentials in my life. I enjoy playing the guitar, writing, rock climbing/yoga/hiking (I worked as a California outdoor adventure travel guide for 4 years), and good conversations about real things with people.

I've hosted about 20 couchsurfers at my college home however I used my roommates account to accept people so I sadly don't have any of their reviews. That being said, I have ONLY hosted, and I am excited to experience the other side of couchsurfing.

Lastly, I know being a "23 year old dude" can turn people off from hosting me (I've read that young men are the least likely to get a host) and I think that this is an unfair generalization. I am a clean, well-mannered, professional, down to earth person and my motivation for wanting to couchsurf with you is to get to know YOU and the life you live in your village/town/city. I hope we both can teach each other something!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To travel as a local and have amazing memories with new people which will last a lifetime (and hopefully return the favor one day in my hometown!).

Interests

Learning! Writing, playing music, gardening, rock climbing/backpacking, massage therapy/alternative medicine, international politics

• culture
• writing
• dining
• beer
• yoga
• running
• massage therapy
• flying
• gardening
• politics
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• backpacking
• rock climbing
• business
• international relations
• medicine
• tourism
• adventure travel

Music, Movies, and Books

I love local music. Anywhere I travel or live I enjoy listening to the local beat. That being said I like everything from Paulo Nutini to Buena Visa Social Club, to Pink Floyd to Jack Johnson.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I started a student run food cooperative at Cal Poly State University. It took two years of hard work but me and my team started student ran organic farms, processing centers, an industrial kitchen, marketing platform, and venue. Today the coop is funded by the state of California and is one of 5 such programs in North America bring healthier food to students as well as teaching them healthier eating/living habits.

What I Can Share with Hosts

California/US culture, anything to do with holistic body-therapy/alternative medicine, good conversations over a beer, and anything in between.

I can teach you guitar, massage therapy (western and eastern styles), international politics/business information, and I worked as a California adventure guide for 4 years- so I can teach you outdoors-based skills or even help you plan a trip to California!

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Cambodia, China, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Thailand, United States