(Please make sure you read the My Home section.)

I'm an American dance- and language-lover who has lived in Japan, Tanzania, Bangladesh, and Taiwan. I'm currently finishing my MA in London, UK.

I'm originally from Indiana (rural USA) and am currently working as a Japanese-English translator and interpreter. Previously, I lived in Tanzania for almost 1 year working as a rural teacher trainer and then in Bangladesh for 2 years in a university after living in Japan for 4 years. There, I worked in the Japanese government and in an international human rights NGO. I'm off to the UK next to study my MA in international education development.

I like seeing both the "tourist" side and the "local" side to get a better-balanced view of a country/region.

In my spare time, I also do a lot of volunteer work, such as working at animal shelters, teaching English and other skills to refugees, and teaching Japanese and dance fitness classes.

As another important note, I'm a huge dog lover and have met some amazing cat as well.

日本語がペラペラなので、何かあれば日本語でも大丈夫です。

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I spent the last few years living really out of the way in Bangladesh and Tanzania (and far from travelers passing through--and then COVID happened) so I'd love to help give back by being your host or meeting up if you're stopping by! (Please see my notes in My Home.)

Some of my most memorable travel moments have always been while staying with people living there, rather than at a hotel or hostel.

I believe it is important to interact with both with other travelers and with locals when going somewhere new. I'd like to meet other like-minded locals especially to exchange stories and experiences with. We all have an experience to offer everyone else.

I’m happy to hang out with hosts/travelers or do our own things.

Interests

• dogs
• photography
• animal welfare
• human rights
• zumba
• reading
• languages
• food
• tea
• dance

Music, Movies, and Books

Books:
Cloud Atlas (by David Mitchell)
number9dream (by David Mitchell)
Blood and Earth: Modern Slavery, Ecocide, and the Secret to Saving the World (by Kevin Bales)
Gone Girl (by Gillian Flynn)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

-I interpreted (English-Japanese) for the Hungarian national track and field team (including an Olympic gold medalist)--the second week of my first professional job ever.

-I've traveled to 33/43 prefectures in Japan. I managed to couchsurf (not through this site) to and participate in the 3 biggest festivals in northern Japan (Iwate Sansa-Odori, Aomori Nebuta-Matsuri, and Akita Kanto-Matsuri) over this summer.

-I've navigated Tokyo without a smartphone.

-I saw a wild rhino couple on an evening walk in Tanzanian coffee fields.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can help teach English, Japanese, and Zumba. I know a lot about American and Japanese culture.
I feel it's important to learn at least basic phrases in the local languages where I travel, and I also love to share stories. If you know a traditional dance from your culture, I'd love to learn a bit of it. :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can offer a lot of insider advice for anyone planning to travel to Japan especially (I've traveled Japan extensively, but not yet the US).

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bangladesh, Japan, Taiwan, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States