Justin Henson has the experience and expertise that are rarely found in just one person. He has been to 11 different countries and speaks 3 languages, including Mandarin, English and Spanish. His great experience and diverse specializations have allowed him to work in several coveted projects with world leaders in their industries. Originally from Houston, Texas, USA, Justin earned a bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Later, he worked in the financial industry with the largest homebuilder in the United States, Centex. After a successful career in Finance, Justin decided to follow his passion for computers, working for some of the largest computer companies in the world with Dell and IBM. After dealing with a very difficult year due to the 2008 financial crisis, Justin once again decided to make the biggest career change of his life, moving to Taiwan to teach English to Taiwanese children. In Taiwan he received a full scholarship to study intensive Mandarin and a Master's Degree in Organic Agriculture from National Pingtung University of Science and Technology. It was during this time that Justin discovered the Permaculture and Bioconstruction, and after completing a year of intensive Mandarin, decided to return to the United States and continue his passion for Permaculture and Bioconstruction.

After returning to the United States, Justin quickly became involved in several permaculture projects and was accepted by the world-famous sustainable home builder, Earthship Biotecture, for an internship. Later the founder and owner of Earthship, Michael Reynolds, proposed the idea of developing a campaign raising funds for a sustainable construction project in Guatemala working with the non-profit organization called LONG WAY HOME, to build a completely sustainable house for the indigenous Mayan families of Guatemala.

His projects, "Bottle Buildings and Bamboo Bicycles in Guatemala" and "Educating our Children for the Future", was a great success and he raised about $5,600USD to build a fully sustainable house for the indigenous Mayas. This project had a tremendous effect for Justin and he decided to stay in Guatemala and continue working with Non-Profit LONG WAY HOME in order to continue their work with the Mayan indigenous communities.

After working in Guatemala for one year, Justin worked in Chalmita, Mexico in an eco-village to strengthen his practice in permaculture, and later he went to Costa Rica to study and receive his Permaculture Design Certificate from the world-renowned professors of Permaculture Stephen Brooks and Itai Dolev Hauben of the Punta Mona Center of Regenerative Design and Botanical Studies.

Due to his intensive experience in bioconstruction he was later invited to Iquitos, Peru by Paititi Institute to help in the construction of new buildings in its center. Justin later moved to the Peruvian Amazon where he now owns and operates his company, Eco-Héroes De La Tierra. He works as a permaculture consultant and consults with Peruvian company Reforesta Peru which focuses on large-scale reforestation in Peru.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

At the moment I am looking for a new place to live with like-minded people who have similar interests as I do.

Interests

• vegetarian
• vegan
• organic food
• yoga
• meditation
• gardening
• music
• hiking
• agriculture
• forestry
• tourism
• mountains
• mountain biking
• forests
• permaculture
• vegetarian food
• intentional communities
• vegetarianism
• conversation
• mountain climbing
• forest
• organic gardening
• vegan food
• veganism
• consciousness
• mountain bike
• permacultura
• vegetarian cooking
• conservation
• vegan cooking
• vegetables
• ayahuasca
• agroecology
• nonviolent communication
• meditación
• organic farming
• raw vegan
• zerowaste
• nature conservation
• mountain hiking
• urban gardening
• zero waste
• composting
• ecoturism
• environmental conservation
• jardineria
• ecoturismo
• hiking in the mountains
• conscious living
• comida vegetariana

Music, Movies, and Books

My favorite music really depends on my mood, but I like all music as long as it's good music. :)

I also love movies, but generally thought-provoking, soul-stiring, life-altering, inspirational types of movies.

I enjoy reading philosophy, psychology, permaculture, mysticism, meditation.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I helped to build a sustainable Earthship home for the indigenous Mayan families in Guatemala.

Teach, Learn, Share

I teach Permaculture, sustainable living, bioconstruction, English, Spanish, meditation, yoga, cooking.
I would like to learn Portuguese and more Mandarin Chinese.
I like to share everything if and when possible.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My Southern hospitality and charm, My knowledge of Permaculture and Bioscontruction, My cooking abilities, My excellent taste in music, Help around the house, Teach English or Spanish,

Countries I’ve Visited

Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Taiwan, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Taiwan