Edit 30/9/22
As always, I'm constantly changing and feel like my profile doesn't fully represent who I am today. Recently, I completed a Work and Organizational Psychology master's in Seville, Spain and am starting to work in UX design - ryanscottdesign.com. I'm back in Bellingham, WA and am looking to escape to Vancouver and Seattle while here! My eventual goal is to move to Australia.

Edit 19/10/21
I wrote my profile a couple years a go - some has changed, some has not! I'm a dynamic, ever-evolving person who's too lazy to revamp his CS profile at the moment!)

Welcome to my CS profile! I'm Ryan.

Travel is a big part of my life. I've been on the go from the moment I graduated high school.

So many people ask how I've been able to travel so frequently. How do I do it? I keep my destinations flexible, I don't splurge on all-inclusive vacation deals, I cook my own meals (which I prefer anyway! That way you know what's going into your food. Plus, I'm not a bad cook), and I use CS or stay in budget Airbnbs.

I finished my studies in Torino (Northern Italy, next to the Alps) where I lived with my grandma and now live in Bellingham, WA (between Vancouver, BC and Seattle, WA). While back in WA, I'm planning on refreshing and creating businesses.

I work as a marketing manager for an apparel company and freelance on the side: www.ryanscottseo.com.

Since I've traveled so much, I've written several books to help others travel free or low cost through help exchanges, volunteer programs, becoming a Digital Nomad and one on Turin:

• Journey On: How to Travel the World - Even If You're Young and Broke (https://amzn.to/2LlbteK)

• Laptop Entrepreneur: Realistic Ways You Can Live the Dream Abroad and Make Money Online (https://amzn.to/2L1G5lJ)

• The Global Volunteer: Free Travel Opportunities to Help Abroad With Gap Year Programs, The Peace Corps, WWOOF and More (https://amzn.to/2MxVo6h)

• Taste Torino: The Local Scoop on Food Paradises, Museums and Secret Sites in Turin (Travel Guide) (https://amzn.to/3b64Jwa)

• Student of the World: How I Earned a Degree Abroad Debt-free and You Can, Too (Study Abroad Guide) (https://amzn.to/389QYuB)

Some of my other interests include holistic health, nutrition (I only eat organic or Non-GMO products when I'm in the US- it's not as expensive as you may think), hiking, sustainable agriculture, foraging, bouldering, DIY projects, languages, reading.

Send me a message. I'm friendly!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I used to use CS as a way to stay in expensive places for free. Now that I have a job and can afford to travel, I still enjoy using CS to get to know locals better and have a more authentic time. Plus solo travel can be lonely! I plan on hosting in the future since I'm so grateful for all the experiences I've had.

Interests

Lately I've been exploring reprogramming the subconscious mind, holistic health and functional medicine, design, writing better non-fiction books, yoga, meditation, rock climbing, forest bathing & so much more.

• traveling
• business
• entrepreneurship
• freelancing
• languages
• business travel
• adventure travel
• beaches
• adventure
• beach
• france
• italy
• london
• europe
• spain
• french
• italian
• invention

Music, Movies, and Books

I used to be a major bookworm, but the real world's hit me hard. Generally, I used to read three books concurrently. One for personal growth, one on my interests (psychology, homesteading, etc.) and one for fun book I read before sleeping. My favorite "for fun" book genre is Dystopian.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I promise I'm not cocky, but I couldn't narrow it down to just one. Here are a few things I'm proud of:

1. Won a scholarship to visit Stanford University to meet with top U.S. college admissions officers via QuestBridge.

2. National Security Language Initiative for Youth finalist. After a rigorous application process and an in-person interview, I was 1 of only 50 chosen to live abroad for 1 year as a youth ambassador.

(Crazily enough, I turned it down to live in Miami.)

3. Moved to Tokyo at just 18. I chose adventure and being true to myself, rather than following the typical path of others who may have gained more things, but not the experiences I have.

4. Won the award of being Washington State's "Young Philanthropist of the Year" for my work with a teen homeless shelter. I was invited to speak to over hundreds people in Seattle at the ceremony (and almost crapped my pants).

Teach, Learn, Share

• Teach: Holistic health, ferments, probiotics, the microbiome, budget travel, sustainable agriculture, low-tox living.
• Learn: Anything. I'm open - what have you got to share?
• Share: Healthy food, ferments, good times, laughter.

What I Can Share with Hosts

There's always something to be learned from others. I'm always careful not to hold my ideas or philosophies on life too closely; you never know when someone will present facts that change the way you think. Perhaps our experiences together will teach us something and change our ideas or life, no matter how big or small.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Honduras, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malta, Mexico, Panama, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Croatia, Italy, Spain, United States