In May of 2017, I graduated from Bard College with a BA in Sociology. Upon graduation, I was fortunate to be named a Fellow with the Thomas J. Watson Foundation for 2017-18. The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Program offers college graduates of "unusual promise" a year of independent, purposeful exploration and travel -- in international settings new to them -- to enhance their capacity for resourcefulness, imagination, openness, and leadership and to foster their humane and effective participation in the world community. My year of exploration is focused on observing the ways in which sports are used to combat prevalent social issues around the world. During the year I will be traveling to India, Nepal, Thailand, Australia, South Africa, Cuba, England and the Dominican Republic.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am looking for safe and interesting places to stay during my year of travel.

Interests

• culture
• photography
• nightlife
• partying
• traveling
• sports
• basketball
• food
• netflix
• sustainable development
• street photography

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

- I started a mentorship program while I was a first year in University call Brothers at Bard. The program is now federally backed by the" My Brothers Keeper" initiative that was started by President Obama.
- I played College basketball
- During University I also Directed a sports-based youth development program called Dream to Achieve. The program used basketball as a vehicle to get kids to invest in their education.
- I am currently traveling the world on an academic fellowship

Teach, Learn, Share

I have decided to start a few personal journeys during my Watson year:
1. becoming a vegetarian over the next year (I still eat meat occasionally as I have just started this journey)
2. learning Spanish
3. Minimalism
4. Meditation

What I Can Share with Hosts

- Stories of my travels
- Stories of playing College basketball in the United States
- My Watson Journey
- NYC perspective
- Ideas on American and world Politics (I am a lover of open and honest discussion without judgement)
- A drink! :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Costa Rica, Cuba, Hungary, India

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, United States