Hi, there! My name is Jake and I am a teacher and education administrator from Chicago, IL, USA. I have previously worked in special education and was most recently the director of a student center at an alternative high school. Traveling is my passion and I am currently embarking on a six-month sabbatical to travel around New Zealand and Southeast Asia. I recently road-tripped and camped throughout New Zealand and am presently exploring Thailand. On my journey, I hope to practice mindfulness, adapt to my new surroundings, and learn about the cultures that I explore. Playing the guitar, photography, and writing are a few of my creative outlets. Please feel free to contact me if you want to grab a coffee and hang out!
Interested in Art
Interested in Birds
Fluent in English
Learning Spanish
Why I'm on Couchsurfing
As I travel I have realized that connections to local people make a difference. It is how I learn about new cultures and places. It is how I explore urban and natural environments. It is how I sample the local cuisine and play new games. It is how I learn about religious practices and different ways of life. I am grateful for my travel experiences as they teach me new perspectives I can use when I return home. Traveling broadens my world, breaks my safe little protective bubble, and humanizes people. It is a vital practice in my life. I am particularly interested in learning about and experiencing: food, creative expressions, nature, and religious/spiritual practices. Traveling is one of the main ways I grow, and I hope Couchsurfing can support me in making those connections as I go!
Music, Movies, and Books
I love movies! The Handmaiden by Park Chan Wook, Brick by Rian Johnson, Do the Right Thing by Spike Lee, Boy by Taika Waititi, and Nomadland by Chloe Zhao are a few of my favorites. I am also an avid reader and just finished re-reading Lord of the Rings in New Zealand. A few of my favorite books are Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, Educated by Tara Westover, Quiet by Susan Cain, A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson, The Broken Earth series by NK Jemisin, and anything by David Sedaris. I am starting Station 11 next! I love all sports, basketball in particular, and I love learning new games! I won't get into music because I like a lot of genres and can find something that I appreciate in all music (except for dubstep). As far as sports and music go, I am always interested in checking out a concert or sporting event! Playing the guitar, photography, and writing are a few of my creative outlets. I also love museums, art galleries, and discussing the creative process.
What I Can Share With Hosts
I am always open for a conversation that broadens each person’s understanding of the world. Whether that is discussing history, art, religion, or politics I am here to learn and share my experiences without judgment. I can also play the guitar a little, cook a few simple dishes, keep my space tidy, and be quiet when I need to be. I like to think that I’m a flexible and low maintenance person.
