I grew up in Scotland, but my extended family live in Iran and China. My husband is from Mozambique and is a professional jazz musician. We are both followers of the Baha'i Faith and are very much involved in community building and social action. We loved living in Durban and now love living in Maastricht!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I met someone a few years ago in China who had traveled round the world as a couch surfer. I remember she had been to Nairobi, Kenya and stayed in a yurt in Mongolia.

I suppose a more appropriate question would be why have I NOT been on Couchsurfing?

Interests

I view my fundamental goal and purpose in life as making a contribution to the betterment of the world. I strive to focus my professional energies on this principle while participating in the emerging framework of thought and action that characterizes the global Bahá'í community.

Growing up in Dundee, Scotland, with extended family living in Tehran, Iran, I have always viewed myself as a citizen of the world. 14 years ago I travelled to South Africa to join a performing arts youth empowerment project. I went on to finish my Honours degree there and began a career in journalism and broadcasting. I worked as a radio presenter in both regional and national stations. I also worked as a senior reporter in a national non-profit youth empowerment organisation.

Keen to expand my international experience I journeyed to central China and taught English at university level. This was a highly rewarding experience and working with Chinese students exposed me to a whole new way of life.

Upon returning to South Africa I took up a Master's degree in Peace Studies with a scholarship from the National Research Foundation. The results of the action research project I developed as part of my studies have been published in Agenda, an accredited gender equity journal.

During my studies I had the privilege to teach in a groundbreaking student development program that empowers students around the issues of gender, identity, race and culture and brings indigenous knowledge to the forefront at Durban University of Technology. Currently I am preparing my PhD proposal and lecturing at Zuyd University of Applied sciences in Maastricht.

• social action
• music
• jazz
• south africa
• peace
• gender equality
• african dance
• youth work

Music, Movies, and Books

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

Gems of Divine Mysteries

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh

The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book)

The Kitáb-i-Íqán (The Book of Certitude)

Prayers and Meditations by Bahá'u'lláh

Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh

The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys

The Summons of the Lord of Hosts

The Tabernacle of Unity

Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Traveled for 2 nights consecutively on a train through India.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Ideas

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Botswana, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lesotho, Mozambique, Netherlands, Swaziland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa