Hey y'all! My name is Mark and I currently live in Japan. I have lived in a smaller, more rural prefecture named Tokushima for over two years. I teach at two high schools and I can tell you a million funny stories about working with Japanese teenagers. So, if you're interested in visiting Japan, I would love to gives all of the tips and recommendations.

As for my background, I am originally from the US and, more specifically, Chicago. I attended the University of Arizona and graduated with a degree in psychology, sociology, and political science. I am studying for the LSAT and to gain admission into law school next year. My end goal is a career in politics.

As for some of my interests, I am pretty keen on just about anything. I love exploring and learning about different cultures. I am a huge fan of sports, mainly of the ones popular in the US like baseball, American football, and basketball. However, I love all sports, so I am always down for a game of anything. As you can tell above, I am also a fan of politics and international relations. I'm always keen for a talk about current global affairs.

Now that I live in Japan, I am trying to travel to as much of Asia as I can, taking advantage of the proximity. I've done recent trips to the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and now I would like to visit China.

Thank you for reading and here's to eating our way through the world!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

As friends and family continue to visit me in Japan, I am reminded of the importance of knowing someone who lives in your travel destination. The experiences I've had with my visitors are unbelievable and could not have happened if I didn't live in Japan. I want to meet the locals of where I travel to and what better way to start that process than Couchsurfing. Whether that's by being hosted or by just meeting people for a cup of coffee.

I have met lovely people from all of the world on this site by hosting and being hosted. I want to continue exploring the world with people of the same mindset!

Interests

• #traveling
• #food
• #sports
• #sociology
• #edm
• #politics
• #psychology
• #poetry
• #socializing
• #activism
• #hiphop

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Chance the Rapper, Supa Bwe, Logic, Vic Mensa, Vince Staples, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Kyle, Amine, Isaiah Rashad, Lupe Fiasco, Childish Gambino, Marshmello, RL Grime, Madeon, Kygo, Calvin Harris, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Offspring, Foo Fighters, and many more.

Movies: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, any Pixar movie, any Marvel movie

Books: 1984, A People's History of the United States

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I taught at a class at a prison in Arizona and I have to say that it's my favorite class I've ever taught.

Teach, Learn, Share

Travel.

Be compassionate.

Make a lasting impact.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can talk about politics for hours, but I can also not talk about it for hours.

I love the sharing of knowledge and wisdom.

Music and sports. Emphasis on sports.

TV show and movie recommendations. Have you seen Shogun? It's amazing!

Anything and everything that deals with Japan.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guam, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, United States