I'm studying abroad in Netherlands this fall and in Denmark this spring. Will be back in San Francisco next summer, and would love to host people then!

One of our classes had us warm up by writing an profile for a peer and this is what was written about me (a little long, but she put a lot of work into it)

Described by his friends as someone who loves to learn and gain new experiences, Ian Sumner constantly seeks to find creative ways to tell stories.

“I exist at the intersection of journalism, film and graphic design,” he said. “They are the lenses I most often use to view and make sense of the world around me.”

Sumner, 20, grew up in Walnut Creek and moved to San Francisco two years ago to pursue a bachelor’s degree in cinema. He soon realized that journalism would be a more valuable education, so he switched his major.

“I don’t know any directors’ names or actors,” he said, laughing. “So I was a very bad cinema major.”

Sumner loves to tell stories. He said that to choose only one dream job is difficult, since he is passionate about radio, film as well as graphic design.

“They are different ways of telling stories,” he said. “But NPR would be a dream job, for sure.”

Sumner said he enjoys radio journalism and podcasts because he finds audio to be a more visual medium than writing, or even film.

“You know when you are talking on the phone with someone really late at night, and you are in a pitch black room?” Sumner said. “Neither of you can actually see each other, yet you have created a space where both of you exist together.”

When he is not busy studying, Sumner spends time in nature and loves to travel as often as possible.

“I love to explore,” he said. “I hike a lot. Nature is fantastic, and I will preach to my last breath about how magical waterfalls are.”

The decision to switch to journalism is something that Sumner is pleased with. He said that journalism is a broad and eventful field, which will serve him well in the future.

“Journalism is writing and talking to people, which basically is the basis of everything,” he said. “So whatever industry I end up in, journalism is going to be valuable.”

Sumner said he loves to be a student and that even after graduation, he will continue to learn. There is more to Sumner than this, however. He has a hidden talent.

“I have been looking for someone who can beat me in foosball since high school,” he said. “So if you know someone, I want to play them!”

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

What's better than meeting a new person and making a new friend? Always meeting new and interesting people and making many brilliantly awesome friends.

This will be my first time couch-surfing, and we can't be more exited!

Interests

• writing
• design
• graphic design
• education
• dining
• movies
• traveling
• podcasts
• music
• hiking
• surfing
• teaching
• journalism

Music, Movies, and Books

I can talk about music with people for hours. Love to listen to other people's libraries.

Currently reading a book called Traffic.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Food, music, stories.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Belize, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland