CURRENT MISSION

Study > Explore > Repeat

ABOUT ME

Travel nut, originally from Chicago. I've been living in Seoul on a research fellowship for the last few months and I'm really enjoying my time in Asia. I study comparative architecture and urban design, which means I get to travel to far-off places such as Baku, Azerbaijan, Urumqi, China, and Sana'a, Yemen, all in the name of research work! My academic and personal interests range from large-scale mega projects like Taipei 101 to civic participation and urban resilience in less developed cities such as Manila, Jakarta and Cairo.

Unfortunately I am not permi to have overnight guests in Seoul but I am more than pleased to give tours to visitors, with a focus on modern architecture over the past half-century. Beginning in the fall I will be back at school in Cambridge, MA. I can generally host for a night or two (I have a very busy student schedule) and, again, I am more than happy to meet up and show people around Harvard. As a student I can treat couchsurfers to an insider tour to museums, libraries, and other buildings that are not open to the public!

PHILOSOPHY

Still working on this one... Really, I'm not one for these intensive questionnaires, although I'll talk your ear off when you meet me (if you let me!)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

First and foremost by taking advantage of CS to engage with and learn from as many people as possible. It took me a few "surfs", but now I'm readily aware of why, exactly, CS is more of an exchange-based "project" than an opportunity for travelers to save money.

When I'm visiting a city in the name of research couchsurfing has been incredibly helpful in giving me insight into knowledge that only locals would know.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I'm still fairly new to CS. My first experience was in Dubai and I've been hooked ever since. I've met some amazing, life-long friends through CS.

Interests

Architecture, urbanism, and chaotic cities; food; film; art; reading; music; and.. of course, traveling.

As a student of city planning/design, I like to experience life in cities well beyond the traditional tourist districts.

• arts
• architecture
• design
• dining
• reading
• traveling
• music
• tours

Music, Movies, and Books

Films: Europa, The Princess and the Warrior, Talk To Her, Waltz with Bashir
Books: Crime & Punishment, Spring Snow and anything else by Mishima,
Music: Jose Gonzalez, Sufjan Stevens, Portishead, Radiohead

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Visited a rural village on the outskirts of Bangladesh with my friend Parvij // Live in Sana'a, Yemen // Ethnographic research on ethnic & religious gangs in Jakarta // Visited Tahrir Square in Cairo just after the revolution

Teach, Learn, Share

- Modern architecture
- Urban Design
- Urban Renewal
- Civic Engagement

Countries I’ve Visited

Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam, Yemen

Countries I’ve Lived In

Indonesia, United Kingdom, United States

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