Hi everyone! My name Katie O'Mara and I graduated from Franklin College (a teeny tiny school in Indiana) this past May with a dual degree in Psychology and Studio Art. I spent August - November 2016 in Livingstone, Zambia volunteering as a teacher for fourth grade students. I'm traveling up until I (hopefully) start grad school next fall. I hope to get a dual degree in Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy. Until then, I look forward to meeting new friends and going new places!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've been able to travel quite a bit outside of the country, but I haven't seen much of my own backyard. I hope to travel around the U.S. a bit before starting grad school in the fall!

Interests

The hobbies that bring me the most joy in life have to do with people and the arts. I studied oil painting and my favorite subject matter was trying to convey people's personalities in the painting using color and composition. I also play the violin, ukulele, piano, and mandolin (some much better than others). However, my favorite way to use art is as a form of therapy or to bring other people joy. I worked an internship as an art therapist at an autism center where I was able to combine art and music to increase focus and joy. I was also lucky enough to be able to teach art to my incredible fourth grade class in Livingstone, Zambia.

• books
• reading
• violin
• hiking
• psychology
• volunteering
• travel
• oil painting
• ice cream

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Avett Brothers, Ben Howard, The National, Sufjan Stevens, Atta Boy, Wild Child, Josh Garrels
Movies: Pirate Radio, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Sing Street, Inside Out, Fantastic Mr. Fox, 12 Angry Men, Her, Good Will Hunting, Inside Llewyn Davis, Dead Poets Society
Books: I am Malala, Through Painted Deserts, The Idealist,

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Illegally climbed a water tower in Zambia to watch the most incredible sunrise.

Teach, Learn, Share

“Everybody has to leave, everybody has to leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons.”
― Donald Miller

“I want to keep walking away from the person I was a moment ago, because a mind was made fo figure things out, not to read the same page recurrently.”
― Donald Miller

What I Can Share with Hosts

Friendship! I would love to listen to and tell stories of all kinds. I am also a clean, considerate guest and would certainly accommodate to the requests of the hosts.

Countries I’ve Visited

Botswana, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Namibia, Poland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Denmark, Zambia