I’m a linguist and UX designer from Los Angeles by way of Chicago / Panama / Michigan! I love exploring new places on foot, learning languages (I speak Spanish fluently and intermediate Korean), trying new foods, and meeting new people of all different cultures and nationalities.

In my free time when I'm home, I'm generally chilling with my dog and husband, signing up for language classes, am exploring my neighborhood (the Arts District) or watching subtitled Korean variety shows to work on my listening skills (currently 아는형님).

I love to be outside and wish I could camp more often - there is very little better than waking up in a tent and smelling the coffee someone is making over a fire.

In terms of spontaneity and adventurousness - I'm down for pretty much anything, so long as it's legal and I won't have a migraine the next day. I don't believe in the horoscope, but my friends who do say I am an archetypical Aries, except for that they like me (whatever that means!).

I've been to 30 countries and counting, and am super excited that Fall 2018 brings a big move to Europe - first to the Netherlands, and then off to Spain!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am not a huge fan of AirBNB because of the way it affects local housing markets, but still really value the idea of staying with locals and learning from them about a city.

Interests

I have a Masters in Linguistics so it's only fitting that half of my life be dedicated to language learning. I speak:

1. English, obviously, as it's my native language
2. Spanish - I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama, where I lived for three years, so I'm fluent in Spanish and use it every day in my own home.
3. Korean - I wrote my Masters Thesis on Korean intonation, so decided "hey, maybe I should learn it too." I've been studying on my own for about four years, so slow going, but I'm probably high intermediate by now!
4. Dutch - a new endeavor, since life is taking me to Amsterdam for a while!

I also love photography, getting on a bike and commuting through a city that way, talking politics (unless you're a shitty person), and listening to all different types of music.

• dogs
• photography
• politics
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• languages
• nature
• linguistics
• biking
• spanish
• korean
• korean culture
• spanish language
• korean language
• 90's

Music, Movies, and Books

I'll listen to any music - Panamanian Tipico to Bachata to American pop/rap/alternative/90s stuff to Korean pop/alternative/trot to Broadway to country...I'll literally listen to anything. Right now I'm really into stuff in other languages, so La Quinta Estacion, Miranda, Kiha and the Faces, and SHINee are what dominate my play lists.

My favorite movie changes a lot, but I love Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, Legally Blonde, Harold and Maude, Empire Records, Wet Hot American Summer...the list goes on.

My favorite book is now and forever will be En El Tiempo de las Mariposas by Sandra Cisneros.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Taking inspiration from others, and am going to list a FEW amazing things I've done!

1. The Peace Corps - formative in every way and led to a life of passion for languages
2. Abseiling down Table Mountain in South Africa!
3. Also in South Africa, doing a walking Safari through Kruger National Park
4. Teaching two semesters of university-level English in Seoul, South Korea
5. Saw the sunrise over one ocean and the sunset on the other, all in one day (in Panama)
6. Kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland (this is probably why I'm good at languages, right??)

Teach, Learn, Share

I taught English for ten years before turning to design, so I am happy to assist with any English lessons whether I'm staying with someone, am hosting someone, or am just in the city and you want to meet up!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Language help, a design eye (UX!), happy to be a listening ear or just someone to chill with!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Panama, South Korea, United States