Hello! I'm Joash, 23 years old this year, and was born and raised in Singapore but I am currently a veterinary medicine student at the University of Cambridge, UK. I'm passionate about all things animal-related, and since coming to the UK and spending my first year in university, I grew the realisation that there's so much in this world to experience and so many people to learn from! I'm an easygoing and chill person, my motto in life is to live and learn :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Being naturally more introverted, one of my biggest personal goals is to break free from my comfort zone and get comfortable interacting with people more. I've also grown to be more fascinated with the concept of places - how people and their lived experiences influence and enrich communities. When travelling, I often find myself wandering along the streets and trying to understand the place as a local rather than a tourist. Couchsurfing is one of the channels that I hope to become a conduit for me to expand my worldview, experience life in different facets, and form meaningful connections with people from all around the world along the way.

Interests

• animals
• piano
• hiking
• scuba diving
• hockey
• travel
• diving
• chill

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: No fixed genre, I listen to a mix of mandopop, mainstream pop, old school music, etc. basically whatever I feel like at that moment. Recently discovered and very much into Rex Orange County's music. When studying I like listening to classical/instrumental music - Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Merry Go Round of Life by Joe Hisaishi and my absolute favs!

Movies and Shows: Likewise I have no fixed genre, and watch whatever catches my eye (mainly on Netflix/Disney plus), though I must say I really like sitcoms (The Office, B99, Modern Family etc). Weirdly I do like watching horror movies but only with other people around (never alone)

Books: Favourites include The Little Prince, and The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse. Currently reading Africa Is Not A Country by Dipo Faloyin - as of now I prefer to read non-fiction books that challenge my perspectives and grow my thinking process. Highly recommended book!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

As part of a project in school, I was part of a team that created and published a children's storybook with the subject matter of the biodiversity in Singapore (my group wrote a book on termites)

Helped deliver lambs during a farm placement!

Recently did my longest solo backpacking trip so far in South America - 6 weeks in Peru (including a month in the Amazon) and a week in the Galapagos Islands

Teach, Learn, Share

I can play the piano, played field hockey before, and know random animal facts from watching documentaries growing up but that's about it haha

Would love to pick up new hobbies and skills!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bolivia, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Singapore, United Kingdom