I am adventurous and ambitious. I love most things intense and extreme - especially those which take me to new heights and new places and push me beyond my comfort zone. I have a great appreciation for learning about different cultures and desire to experience the world. I am currently a graduate student at the University of Illinois studying Education Policy, Organization and Leadership.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Life is made so much richer when we connect and share with one another. Couchsurfing is built on community, and that's what I love about it. As a host I really enjoy interacting with my surfer and sharing with them all that I can offer. As a surfer, I also really value interacting with my host and spending time with them (if they are available). Creating an internationally-spread community is a beautiful thing, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to both travel and welcome guests to expand it.

Music, Movies, and Books

My favorite movie is The Fall by Indian director Tarsem Singh. My favorite shows are Kath and Kim (Australia) and The Office (US).

I enjoy reading and often read a broad range of written work from contemporary magazines and news articles in The Economist, National Public Radio (US), the New Yorker, the New York Times, BBC, and others. I read many different types of books. Some of my favorite authors are Truman Capote (American), Colson Whitehead (American), Khaled Hosseini (Afghani and American), and Patrick Radden Keefe (American). My favorite poet is William Blake (English). A great book I read recently (2023) is The Pages by Hugo Hamilton (Irish).

My go-to favorite musicians are Mumford and Sons, Josh Garrels, Hillsong United, and Caravan Palace. I also really like older and instrumental music - swing, classical, jazz, bossanova, blues, rockabilly, and music from the 1920s to the 1960s.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Quit my job, moved away from my home, and traveled the world solo for 19 months - visiting old friends, making new ones, and experiencing new wonders. With challenge comes reward. (2016-2018)

"50 before 30" - Accomplished my goal of visiting all 50 U.S. states before turning 30 years old. (2018)

Teach, Learn, Share

If you're knowledgable and passionate about it, I'd probably like learn about it.

I would enjoy learning/practicing: pottery throwing, glass-blowing, rock climbing, ballroom dancing.

I can share local knowledge about Alaska (I lived there for 5 years) and various US-based and international locations. I can also share travel tips and recommendations that I've learned throughout my own travels. I love gear - both for travel and for outdoor rec and really enjoy helping people choose the perfect gear for their own adventures.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm happy to share information and networking connections from around the world - I'm all about doing anything I can do to grow community and strengthen connections. I'm a very mature, tidy, non-smoker, low-key house guest who doesn't need a lot to be content (although I'm usually traveling without a sleeping bag, so I will need clean bedding to feel content).

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Andorra, Antarctica, Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, England, Estonia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, Peru, United States