I am a travel and hosting enthusiast, who has lived abroad in Latin America many years, and backpacked around the world.

From my work website... Irene is a cultural exchange enthusiast who has hosted international students, stayed with many host families across the world, and worked for years coordinating exchange programs across Latin American. Her first exchange, at 15, was a three-week immersion trip with ANDEO in Mexico, and is in touch with her host family to this day. She has traveled extensively in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, and is passionate about immersing herself in new cultures. Irene graduated from Warren Wilson College , with a B.A. in Global Studies and Spanish. In her free time, Irene enjoys karaoke, salsa dancing, and exploring the outdoors.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love to travel, have enjoyed couchsurfing immensely in the past, and can't wait to meet travelers and show them Portland.

I am unable to host at the moment.

Interests

• salsa dancing
• hiking
• volunteering
• going out

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Started my own exchange program!

Favorite travel memory: “I remember my host family bringing me to a traditional Aztec steam bath, where I crammed into a small brick ‘igloo’ with my host siblings, and chanted and sang until we were exhausted. We cooled off by swimming in a lake, and wrapped up with a traditional Mexican barbecue. We had all bonded and were laughing hysterically by the end of the day.”