I am an active, adventurous, and outdoors-loving lady who enjoys puns, traveling, and getting to know new people. I am a dual citizen of the United States and Brazil; however, I was born and raised in the US. Originally, I am from Arkansas. In 2016, I completed a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas. In 2018, I completed an MS in Environmental Science and Engineering from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia (surprising, right?). Currently, I live in San Diego, CA; however, I am starting a new job in Raleigh, NC this February. I am doing a coast-to-coast trip by myself, but I would still like to make the most of it by meeting cool people along the way. :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I traveled from Arkansas to California twice and participated in Couchsurfing both times. I had a great time interacting with my hosts. Couchsurfing allowed me to interact with people that had different perspectives and life experiences than me. I found it to be a really enriching, memorable, and positive experience.

Interests

• triathlon
• running
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• rock climbing
• engineering
• water
• international development

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Bossa Nova, bluegrass

Movies: (I don't really watch movies... usually only when I am on a plane or with friends...) A classic comedy is always good though.

Books: (I really like non-fiction adventure books.)
Endurance - Alfred Lansing (all-time favorite book)
Spineless: The Science of Jellyfish
Arabian Sands - Wilfred Thesiger
The Food Explorer - Daniel Stone
Beneath a Scarlet Sky -- (Currently listening to on Audible)
The Bible (I have a new appreciation for the Old Testament)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I did my Master's at the first co-ed university in Saudi Arabia. I lived there for almost two years. During my Eid breaks, I traveled around a lot and gained a unique perspective of the Middle East. For examples, I competed in the 2017 Middle East World Championship 70.3 IRONMAN triathlon in Bahrain. When to Eygpt and visited the pyramids and when rock climbing in the Sinia Peninsula. I spent a week road tripping/car camping in Oman (my favorite country in the Middle East). I went on an archeology trip following the Egyptian pilgrimage along the west coast of Saudi Arabia, very cool.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share about my experience living in Saudi Arabia and traveling around the Middle East. Being at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology was a super unique and interesting experience. I loved my time living off the coast of the Red Sea and meeting people from all over the world there.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Egypt, England, Georgia, Ghana, India, Ireland, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United States