ABOUT ME

My name's Mark, and I live in Bridgeport, CT. I’m an associate professor and Director of Inclusive Excellence Education at a university near me. I am also a former middle and high school special education teacher. I love to sing karaoke and dance. Like to travel, cook/bake, camp, hike, shop at thrift stores, play board & card games, attend music festivals, and enjoy going to the movies. LOVE learning about/exploring/experiencing (local) cultures, learning how to cook/bake (new) foods/dishes and experiencing new cultural rituals/dances/holidays/customs. Love listening, asking questions, learning, and sharing stories! I'm a huge Buffalo Bills fan as well. 🏳️‍🌈 🍉

I also recently discovered music festivals - I love them and so excited to explore more! I went to Wormtown Music Festival in Western, MA in September of 2025, and I’m looking forward to going again next year! I love to dance, feel the music, and just be present in community with others, in nature.

I'd describe myself as a down to earth, empathetic, and free-spirited and motivated/hard working person. All about helping others and being kind is at my core. Kindness is can act of love, and we never know what someone may be experiencing or going through. So, why not be kind to yourself, others, and our environment/animals/plants?

Did I mention that I LOVE being in nature and by the water? It soothes my soul (probably connected to me being a cancer sun & moon and libra rising haha). I’m also fascinated by astrology, numerology, energy healing (ie, reiki, etc) as well as sound and crystal healing, and I would describe myself as a spiritual person, where love guides my being.

I also believe we’re all interconnected and enjoy meeting new people, hearing other’s stories, experiencing and learning about other cultures and just being spontaneous.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am new to using couchsurfing since 2024 (though I created an account back in undergrad), and I am looking forward to the new experiences, opportunities, and meeting new people! ☺️

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I don't mind sleeping on the couch. Also, I’m happy to take recommendations from hosts but don’t require you to hangout with me while I’m staying. Pretty easy going.

Interests

politics, books, shopping, pets, working out, learning/practicing energy healing, astrology, socializing, music, traveling, meeting new people, relaxing, movies, football, Buffalo Bills, Little League World Series, laughing, cooking, hosting dinner parties, board and card games, dancing, bird watching, hiking, meditating

• pets
• cats
• dogs
• birds
• arts
• humanities
• writing
• books
• singing
• theater
• architecture
• music festivals
• festivals
• full moon party
• dancing
• lgbt rights
• civil rights
• education
• environment
• human rights
• cooking
• recipes
• wine
• chinese food
• coffee
• wine tasting
• organic food
• yoga
• massage therapy
• working out
• meditation
• walking
• nightlife
• partying
• pub crawls
• happy hour
• gardening
• shopping
• politics
• news
• movies
• board games
• reading
• tv
• traveling
• socializing
• scrapbooking
• magic
• music
• live music

Music, Movies, and Books

political, thrillers, mystery, historical, Angels & Demons, Da Vinci Code, The Bible, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Color Purple, Mick Hart Was Here, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Nerd Gone Wild, Country, Christian, Pop, 80's, 90's, some R&B & rap, Shania Twain, Kenny Cheseny, Spice Girls, Carrie Underwood, Black Eyed Peas, Destiny's Child, Akon, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Colbie Caillat, TLC, TI, AKON, Gladiator, 40 Year Old Virgin, Crash, V for Vendetta, The Notebook, She's the Man, Porkys, Click, Pirates of the Carribean, Scary Movie 2, The Breakfast Club, Miracle, Scarface, The Godfather, White Chicks, Beaches, Homeward Bound, Frailty, Death at a Funeral, Sydney White, Brokeback Mountain, Enchanted, P.S. I Love You, The Bucket List, The Goonies, 27 Dresses, Love Actually, Freedom Writers, Space Jam, The Secret Life of Bees, drake, J Cole, Beyoncé

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Met Pope Francis in November 2024 for a winning a global community engagement teaching & research award from an international Catholic nonprofit; university I work/ed at is a Catholic university.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have a couch and camping size twin air mattress. Also, may be willing to share my bedroom - king bed so plenty of space. I’m also open to taking the couch, if that would make you more comfortable.

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States