Explorer adventurer at heart, grad student and researcher by day. I love telling stories over a beer. I study how to use design to help people build a better world together. But I really just love looking at old maps and eating crazy spicy food. I've been on CS for a few years and hosted travelers when they came to New York.

Here's my website. You can see more about my work if you're interested:
www.jimmyleporehagan.com

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I joined CS to get ready to meet people as I was planning to move to Southeast Asia. I ended up living in Bangkok for 2 years and had the chance to visit the north of India, Vietnam, and Southeastern and central China. I love meeting new people, sharing stories and food. My mom tells me I'm a natural born host and my friends joke that I was born to be a tour guide!

Interests

I'm fascinated with history and I read a lot of nonfiction. I play softball every week and I'm always down to see the city's late night side. I like to go on crazy food adventures and find secret parties on roofs and warehouses.

• arts
• fashion
• dining
• partying
• socializing
• adventure races
• softball
• business
• cartography
• history
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

In short, if you like watching obscure Art House films from the 60's, then we'd probably be friends. Here's a few of my favorites movies, TV shows, books, and music: last year at marienbad, fanny and alexander, blade runner, stolen kisses, Rashomon, Satyricon, Hiroshima Mon Amour, Killers on Parade, romeo + juliet, indiana jones, 30 Rock, party down, juno and the paycock, translations, 1000 Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, adventure histories and nonfiction about the Victorian age, anything written by Wade Davis or Ian Buruma, the Pixies, Rilo Kiley, old Weezer, St. Vincent, Father John Misty, Kendrick Lamar, with a soft spot for 50 Cent

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I hitchhiked across central Turkey to see Cappadocia.

Teach, Learn, Share

I currently teach as a fellow at Parsons, focusing on how to find/imagine/invent magic and good work in your life.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories, great conversation, and a bottle of some good local liquor. And, of course, I'll return the favor with a place for you to stay in New York.

Countries I’ve Visited

Barbados, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Qatar, Romania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Greece, Thailand, United States