My name is Layna Gatling, and I ‘m loving life. I’m a 23 college student from the USA. I’m studying how to save the world, but more specifically I hope to focus on Public Health and Development, specifically Women's Health. I have a wonderful family back in Connecticut, with a mom, dad, twin brother and two wonderful dogs. I love photography, baking, and colorful things. Animals are my life's passion. I love meeting new people and traveling the world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love meeting new people, getting to know them and getting a look into their world. I've had awesome experiences meeting new and interesting people through Workaway, and Couchsurfing seemed like another wonderful way to meet similar people.

Interests

Lifelong Learner! I've recently started juggling, and love to learn new skills and information. Am a coffee nerd, can teach anyone how to make a good cuppa. I absolutely love to read and bake. You can automatically win me over with obscure fun facts. I am an animal lover through and through, with a special soft spot for dogs and horses. Academically, I enjoy learning about Public Health, Epidemiology, and International Development.

• animals
• dogs
• horses
• arts
• culture
• photography
• cooking
• coffee
• baking
• gardening
• reading
• traveling
• the world

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Currently loving: MOVITS!, but I will listen to anything. I love old 80's pop-hits and good old banjo music.
Books: Haruki Murakama is my current to-read.
All Time Favorite: The Phantom Tollbooth
Movies: Love foreign films. Especially Bollywood and Kollywood (Tamil cinema).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Taught english and art to Dalit and Gypsy kids in Tamil Nadu, India.
Dancing ceilidh at a little hole in the wall in Glasgow.

Teach, Learn, Share

My knowledge is yours.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm more than happy to help around the house with either meal prep, or put in a hour or more of housework or garden work. I pride myself on being hardworking and adaptable, so I'll be more than happy to offer a hand in whatever you need. I also have done some English teaching, and would be more than willing to help you with practice or find learning materials. I can share my culture, experiences, and a pretty solid cooking ability as well as my passion for baking cakes and cookies!

Countries I’ve Visited

Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City State, Wales, Åland Islands

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States