I am a recent Ph.D. graduate who just finished my dissertation in Cali, Colombia. I think it would be safe to say that I live to travel and use travel as a source of inspiration and encouragement. My current research looks at foreigners' perceptions of the security situation here in Cali. I am looking forward to graduating--hopefully at the end of this year--and have lots of ideas for future research. Along the way, I have become very interested in ecotourism as well as tourism in conflict-ridden destinations and hope to work in this field in the near future.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I like to meet new people. Moreover, new cities are much more fun when shared with locals who really have that inside knowledge. There's something you get sleeping on a couch that no fancy concierge desk can offer...

Interests

Although my doctorate is in conflict analysis and resolution, I have become deeply interested in tourism studies over the past few years--particularly sustainable tourism. I love to travel, and I would like to be part of tourism development projects that focus on the environment and are geared toward budget travelers. I also like to remain active. The idea of a 5 star spa/resort gives me anxiety--I can't imagine myself doing absolutely nothing while traveling!

• environment
• traveling
• tourism
• ecotourism
• budget travel

What I Can Share with Hosts

My own experiences and travel advice. I live in Cali, Colombia now. While I don't have space to host, I can definitely provide tips about the city or potentially meet up.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Aruba, Belgium, Belize, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Spain, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

Colombia, United States