In early August '19, I completed nearly 3 years of Peace Corps service in Benin! I was working as a community health adviser. I've now taken a job as a public health technical adviser in Chad. Originally from the US, I love to travel and hope my career allows me to continue to do so. I have enjoyed hosting dozens of couchsurfers when I lived in Benin, but don't have much experience surfing myself. I'm adventurous, spontaneous, open-minded, and like nothing more than to make genuine connections with genuine people. I would love to get to know your city through your eyes, though I am also happy operating independently in a foreign environment.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To get to know new places through the eyes of the people who live there! I have never been one to go off of the guidebook or "recommended" tourist destinations. I enjoy learning by traveling, and learning from people the people who live in a given location is the most unique, authentic, and personal way to get to know a place.

Interests

I love to see movies and then talk about them over dinner!

• dancing
• movies
• reading
• live music
• swimming
• cinema
• trying new restaurants

Music, Movies, and Books

I typically like to balance fiction with nonfiction. I recently finished "Anthills of the Savannah" by Chinua Achebe and I haven't decided on what's next. The best book I've read in the last year was "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. For nonfiction, I really enjoyed "King Leopold's Ghost" by Adam Hochschild, about the colonial history of the DRC.
For movies and TV, I'm a shameless anime addict (and am always looking to expand my collection if you travel with a hard drive). Outside of that, I love good dramas, spy movies, and period pieces. I'm always looking for good recommendations!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I lived for two years in a rural community in northern Benin. I learned to muddle my way through the local language and made some trusted friends. My friends and work partners and I worked on a number of community health initiatives.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to cook with friends and am always interested in learning new recipes.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I know where to find good, cheap, local food and am usually down to go exploring! I can also recommend a number of good restaurants of varying price ranges. I'm also open to shopping and cooking together and watching some TV or a movie.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Benin, Germany, United States