I was born in China but my family moved to the United States when I was 2. I currently live in a small rural village in Armenia, a small country tucked between Iran and Turkey. I'm teaching English at a small school of 40 children and work with a number of organizations that promote environmental awareness and youth empowerment within the country. So far it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I will be living two years in Armenia which has some of the most amazing natural beauty and some of the kindest people I have ever met.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

When I was young, I wanted to see the world - a common thread among most people here on CS. I wanted to visit all the countries and see all the interesting places. It seemed strange to me that everybody wasn't travelling all the time. It wouldn't be until I was older did I realize that travelling is really a privilege and that I am incredibly blessed to be able to do it. So many people live without the opportunity to experience for themselves the diverse difference our world has to offer.

Learning about this has changed my thoughts on what my own responsibilities are as someone who has the privilege to travel. For me, it's so much more than just seeing the sites. I want to truly learn about a culture and its people, their history and everyday life, especially if the culture isn't well known. Though I haven't been to many places in the world, travelling with this philosophy has made me appreciate the experiences so much more. CS is a great way to learn from people and an opportunity to experience life in an authentic way. In my two years in Armenia, I'm hoping I can share the culture of this historically and spiritually rich country with the rest of the world as much as I can learn from other hosts.

Interests

I love to walk at night and food is a big part of my life. I love to learn and talk about interesting issues. Everyone is an expert at something, even if they don't know it themselves. I enjoy music, movies, a good hike.

• dogs
• writing
• books
• education
• cooking
• recipes
• walking
• movies
• traveling
• music
• piano
• violin
• teaching
• study abroad
• food
• exploring

Music, Movies, and Books

I have been reading a lot of Haruki Murakami lately. I Also love Historical fiction. "Parting the Waters" by Taylor Branch is one of my favorites about Civil Rights in the United States.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I studied abroad in Cape Town, SA and climbed Table Mountain through the night with only the light of a couple of cellphones.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I like to HELP cook since I don’t have the opportunity to do it much. I'm also happy to help around the house and do what I can so show my gratitude to hosts. I can share about the countries I have lived in and my experiences/what I've learned.

Countries I’ve Visited

Armenia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, England, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Armenia, China, South Africa, United States