Hi! My name is Mark McAlister. A little about myself and what I am doing this year:

- I'm 22 years old.
- I just received my Bachelors in Biology from Sewanee: The University of the South.
- I am the youngest of three and have two amazing siblings who are my also my best friends and my greatest mentors.
- I ran collegiate Cross Country and Track & Field for 4 years and have been running for 9.
- In college, I served as a volunteer EMT (medic) and worked on an ambulance with 12 of my peers. We provided care to the students and surrounding community.
- I am a 2017-2018 Thomas J. Watson Fellow and I will travel to Denmark, Chile, Thailand, and Tanzania. (But I hope I get to see more places: for my project and myself) Read more here: https://watson.foundation
- During my year I will look at the way different systems of emergency care impact the communities and people that they serve.
- I want to do more than learn about my project, I want to learn about YOU! I want to hear the stories of people's lives and I want to know what it means for them to call a place home.
- I have a blog! Follow my year @ wanderingwithmark.com

Some more random things about me:
- I love to use my running as ways of exploring new places. I love the outdoors and getting lost along the way. Seriously. My favorite kind of running (or hiking) is finding a trail that I don't quite know how long or far it will take me.
- I love summer Camp. (I'm biased towards Camp Rockmont) I think there is nothing better than growing in youth at a summer camp.
- I'd rather share a glass of wine than go to a club.
- I have an unending love for my Alma Mater, Sewanee. More for its people and it's land than the education. For the place and the space to grow, to learn and to mature.
- My favorite ice cream is chocolate chip cookie dough.
- I didn't start drinking coffee until 2016, but now I love the ritual of a morning glass and a friendly conversation
- I want a German Shepard when I grow up. I want to name him Boo Radley, after To Kill A Mocking Bird, and I want to call him Boo Rad.
- People say my spirit animal is a newly hatched chicken, but I fancy myself more of a sea turtle
- People say I look like the kid from Home Alone (I'm just hoping they mean 1990's Macaulay Culkin and not 2010's...)
- I tell bad (dad) jokes and think they're funny (laugh with me!)

My friend said this about me in an article on my year abroad published at our school, "He's an incredibly intentional person. The story that he is telling other people, the story that he's telling himself, the direction that he has decided to take his life--all those pieces fit together." Besides the fact those are some of the kindest words I've ever read about myself, I'd like to think he is right. I want to share my story with you, I want to learn your story, and I want to see where are stories cross paths. I use words like "intentional" to describe myself and how I am, I make fun of myself for doing so, but I still do it because its my aspiration.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

As a fellow with the Thomas J. Watson Foundation, I am tasked to leave the states for 12 months and to not return during that time. In order to fulfill my project goals, I want to meet people! Especially people who are native to the country I am traveling in or are permenant residents! As a solo traveler, it is sometimes hard to introduce myself to people I do not know. I do not want to be rude, and I don't want to interject in some one ele's conversation, but I do want to know more about people! Who they are, their story, and what life is like for them in their home-country!

My project is also people based. I am looking into Emergency Medicine, but really how medicine impacts people. To do so means talking to people, and I can't think of a better way to talk and meet people than graciously being ale to stay with them where ever they may be! If I meet you, I want to hear your thoughts on this as well, and how the aspects of care have played out in your life.

Many thanks in advance to your hospitality and enthusiasm towards hosting. I hope that I too may be able to do so upon my return to the states!

Interests

• running
• traveling
• live music
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking
• kayaking
• camping
• trail running
• medicine
• religion
• study
• volunteering
• nature
• meeting new people
• journaling

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite Music: Dave Matthews Band, Mumford and Sons, Fleetwood Mac, Josh Garrels, Boy Named Banjo, The Wailing Jennys, Alison Krauss, Needtobreath,
Matisyahu, The Avett Brothers, The Civil Wars, Nickel Creek (The Charlie Brown Christmas Album will also never get old!)

Favorite Books: When Breath Becomes Air, Racing the Rain, Once a Runner, Being Mortal... I'm ashamed of how few books I've read for pleasure recently, but I am really trying to give myself time to read this year and am finding new joy in doing so.

Favorite Movies: Forest Gump, Gladiator, Remember the Titans, Saving Private Ryan, About Time. My Brother and I are Marvel Fanatics: we love the Marvel Cinematic Universe - all the movies, the Netflix series and the cable TV shows. (I'm also a romantic at heart, so any rom-com will do).

This isn't one of the questions, but I also love Podcasts. They're great for a long run or a nice drive. My current favorite ins NPR's Hidden Brain, they explore new topics of how we view ourselves, how we view others and what we can do to improve.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I won an Ultramarathon (55k) in Northern Alabama in November 2016! I'm taking on the adventure an independent year-long of travel (like so many of you great people on here)!

Teach, Learn, Share

I hope I can teach and share as much as I know I will be learning from those I stay with! There is no better way to immerse yourself in culture than to be right in the home of another. I love to share stories and listen to others. I hope while Couch Surfing I can do just that. (See above in the last paragraph 'About Me.')

I want to learn about you, who you are, where you come from, what makes you, you, and I want to celebrate the joy of meeting a person I never thought I had the chance of doing so until today!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I want a shared experience: memories, laughter, and stories "of that guy/girl you met that one time." I would love to share whatever is most appropriate; I'm a pretty open book and love a great conversation. If I can share a meal, a coffee, a drink, or an evening on a porch talking and exchanging stories, I will be quite content, and I hope you will be too!

Countries I’ve Visited

Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, France, Israel, Mexico, Palestine, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States