Above all, I'm a free spirit by nature. I like my friends, my music, and my coffee. Got that, then I'm happy. I'm a huge social justice advocate, and hold these issues near and dear to my heart.

I'm a social worker by profession, specializing in social work with immigrants and refugees and social service administration. Currently, I work coordinating health promotion and wellness programs at a hospital in the Chicago, and continue to participate in activism and other side projects.

Immigration is something that I am very passionate about. I've been to Mexico twice to do volunteer work with active migrants heading north at shelters located in Mexico City, Veracrúz, and Nogales, Mexico. This was done with Jesuit Migrant Services and the Kino Border Initiative.

In my free time, I like to spend time with friends and check out new places to eat-- I'm a total foodie. I also enjoy reading books about social issues such as feminism, immigration, and poverty. I'm also getting really into bachata dancing, but my cumbia and my salsa need alot of work!

During my undergrad, I lived in Washington D.C. for 4 months and moved to Salamanca, Spain for an entire year. As I mentioned above, I also have spent time in Mexico City.

The year I studied abroad in Spain is the year that I hold as the best year of my life. That is where I first got involved in CS.

I tend to be very independent, but I value friendship, having fun, and combining the two.

Facebook: padraic.stanley
Twitter: @pstanley90
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/padraicstanley

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I know lots of couchsurfers in person, and I have hosted multiple surfers, but still have yet to actually surf!

While I was studying abroad, I used CS to travel and to make friends with locals. I was also pretty knowledgable about the history and sights to see in Salamanca, so when I lived there, I frequently gave tours to Couch Surfers and other travelers.

I have hosted only a handful of surfers, but all have been great experiences! I have met CS people from all over the world, and some of them are my best friends. I love this community! My favorite part about traveling is meeting up with other surfers and getting a different perspective of the cities I'm visiting. I also showed a various number of Couch Surfers around while living in Salamanca.

Interests

Language and culture, writing, photography, travel, reading, good television, coffee, community service, social activism, music- especially indie rock.

• culture
• writing
• books
• photography
• dancing
• bachata
• cumbia
• womens rights
• coffee
• reading
• traveling
• volunteer work
• blogging
• music
• hiking
• canoeing
• bungee jumping
• tennis
• volleyball
• swimming
• archery
• history
• social work
• volunteering
• tours

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Anything by Dan Brown, but mostly love reading books about social justice issues, feminism, history, etc.
Music: I will listen to nearly anything, but I love indie and alternative rock. One of my favorite jobs I've ever had was as a radio DJ for an indie rock station.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have done bungee jumping, rapelling, ziplining, hiking, canoeing, and archery all in one day!

While in Spain, I went horsebackriding through the Spanish countryside. Here, I frequently swim, play tennis and volleyball, ride bikes, and have picnics, cookouts, and bonfires.

Basically, it's amazing to me because before coming to Spain I was never "outdoorsy."

Teach, Learn, Share

I make some great coffee. Also, if you want the latest in no-name hipster music or hole-in-the-wall good eats, you've found the right dude. I also have a wealth of knowledge about immigration, having worked in the field for years.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, Spain, United States

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