Hi there! My name is Hyomi. I'm American, and grew up in New England, between Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I have a mixed background, with an Irish-American father and a Japanese mother. I love traveling, and learning about other cultures as a result! I have been to about 20 countries, on five of the continents, and hope to continue to explore many more! I am a returned Peace Corps volunteer from the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), where I spent two years developing educational programs and community health initiatives. I received my Bachelor's in International Relations at Tufts University, and my Master's at Columbia University in New York. I am currently working in Guyana for an international development organization, where I live with my Guyanese husband Godis. We both love to create music, and enjoy art, architecture, cultural learning, and good food. We have two sweet cats named Podrick (Game of Thrones, obviously) and Shena!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

This is my first time couch-surfing, so I'm excited to see how it goes, and to meet new people! I love learning about and exploring new cities, foods, and cultures!

Interests

• arts
• culture
• architecture
• dancing
• japanese food
• spanish food
• exercise
• music
• karaoke
• martial arts
• food
• africa
• museums
• japan
• latin america
• culture exchange
• asian food
• caribbean
• asian culture
• african culture
• african dance
• food and drinks
• food lover
• african music
• culture sharing

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Fun facts about Hyomi:
-I used to sing in a funk/soul band
-I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do
-I am 5'10"
- I teach English online as a flexible side gig (let me know if you're interested in learning more!)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am certified in English as a Second Language, so if you are trying to brush up on English skills, I can definitely work with you! I can also teach you some Taekwondo movements!

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Botswana, Canada, El Salvador, England, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Japan, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Philippines, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Swaziland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ghana, Guyana, Swaziland, United States