Born and raised in Puerto Rico, I'm eager to start a path on which the world is my classroom. I'm a musician/scientist with a passion for understanding others, as well as learning from new experiences...

I moved this past year from Puerto Rico to Indiana to pursue my MS at the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!). This has resulted in me getting to like South Bend, even if I can't deal with the weather...

Since I don't know what else to say about me, I'll just write a fun facts list:
-Clasically trained singer (countertenor), who has sang all 4 voice parts in a choir
-Studied Microbiology as an undergrad... but then decided to go into Political Science... but then decided to go into Science Entrepreneurship
-I'm always busy
-I enjoy hiking
-Ecology never stops fascinating me (also, I like working with insects)
-The 3rd out of 4 brothers
-I used to be an amateur contortionist
-Even though I'm puertorrican, I only know the basics of the basics of Salsa dancing (I'm the shame of the family for this reason. My parents even met Salsa dancing!)
-I watch waaaay too many educational/instructional videos on Youtube (my suggested videos are always on international politics, science, sociology and linguistics)
-I enjoy conversations with people who have very different perspectives and life experiences, as I learn a lot from them
-I used to be a teacher. Hopefully going back to it at some point
-I refuse to accept that I'm officially an adult, so I try to situate myself between the curiosity of youth and the independence of adulthood
-I learned English by watching the Disney Channel and reading Wikipedia. My motivation was that whenever my parents didn't want me to know about something, they would speak in English.
-I miss going to the gym (#GradStudentLife)
-Moved to Indiana in the summer... Have liked it more than I expected
-I'm part of an all male choir that behaves like a frat
-I seek to make things better for those around me

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone. First by staying at a stranger's house, and second by facing the world with a "head high" mindset.

Interests

• singing
• politics
• hiking
• swimming
• marketing
• netflix

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: This is a difficult question, as I am a musician, and a very eclectic one I must say.
-Anything Broadway
-Classical music, mainly Handel, Purcell and Hahn (even though these last two are relatively contemporary)
-Regueton (none of that vulgar stuff, but the "poppy", dance-able stuff)
-Electronica
-Latin Ballads
-Mariachi & Rancheras
-Acoustic covers
-Choir music

Movies: Anything that makes me either question societal constructs or inspires me to go beyond
-Noah
-Instructions not included
-Ice Princess (yes, I'm man enough to admit I've seen this movie way too many times throughout my life)
-Harry Potter, Hunger Games, that kind of stuff...
-Disney cartoon movies
-Spanish (as in from Spain) movies
-Central/South American comedies (I'm picky on some of them)

Books:
I read my share of teen romance sci-fi novels when I was younger. But then I transitioned into auto-biographies. I think, however, that the most influential auto-biographies I've read are "Yo" by Ricky Martin and "My Beloved World" by Sonia Sotomayor.

Special shoutout to some of the most enjoyable books I've ever read
**Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card
**Survival of the Sickest, Sharon Moalem
**David & Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell
**Memorias de mis Putas Tristes, Gabriel Garcia Marquez

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

This might not be the most impressive thing for most people, but it changed me a lot. I used to be a teacher. Definitely one of the most rewarding jobs that exist. While I did that, I learned a lot about myself, my students, and how we prepare our young ones to deal with the future situations they will encounter.

*Hopefully will go back to teaching at some point

Teach, Learn, Share

Help you with your Spanish and basic of Salsa Dancing

What I Can Share with Hosts

I think that conversations are the best thing to share with anyone. Even if I'm only listening and/or asking, both of our world views should change because of a simple talk. Aside from this, I can also cook you a meal, help around the house and I can sing for you (my friend told me to write this one haha).

Countries I’ve Visited

United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Puerto Rico, United States