Greetings and salutations! My name is Jocelyn (Not really Schmitz.) . I was born an Air Force Brat on Homestead AFB, south of Miami Florida. Our family moved back north when I was about seven, and bopped around Wisconsin until settling southeast of the Milwaukee area.

My father traveled a lot with military and this is where my own personal affinity for discovering new places and people was encouraged. We did a road trip with family friends from Germany around Europe, when I was in high school, and I was definitely hooked from there on out. I have done volunteer trips around the U.S. and in Guatemala. Worked at a camp for kids in foster services in the Lake District of England and also in northern Wales. I was recruited to work at an English-speaking, international school in Southern Spain outside of Gibraltar, with the hopes of learning Spanish, but some untruths on the part of the school, involving my work permit, caused me to leave just six months into my contract.

I have not traveled out of the country since bopping into England, Scotland, and the Netherlands on my way back home. However, I have squeezed some traveling into my home country.

My husband and I have a daughter, two dogs, and a ramshackle house on a hill in the woods, that we have slowly been remodeling, so unfortunately no guests at this time. Also, my daughter doesn't sleep through the night, so that would probably not be very restful for any potential guest. I know it is not for us! However, I am always up for meeting new friends and showing them around my beloved state.

I went to college in Milwaukee and know my way about town. I am also a member of Hike It Baby and would love to meet up with other outdoorsy parents who would like to find some great trails in the area during their visit!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

As a teacher with a family and a house in ruins, we are on a pretty tight budget. So during my professional development travels, I am always looking for ways to cut corners and make new friends.

I also believe the hosteling and couchsurfing gives you opportunities to explore the area you are visiting through a better point of view than otherwise!

Interests

I am also a freelance, portrait photographer and take on event gigs here and there. As a huge science nerd, I participate as NASA Social Media correspondent, and love going to NASA Social events. My husband, daughter, dogs, and I love to get outdoors to hike, fish, camp, and explore! Oh, and I love yoga and weight training, but I don't think I am annoying about it. At least I hope not.

• dogs
• fish
• cooking
• yoga
• traveling
• homesteading
• outdoor activities
• fishing
• hiking
• camping
• communications
• teaching
• freelancing
• science
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

I love all music, but years of working in coffee shops have made me partial to anything of the very "chill" variety.
I have equally eclectic tastes in books and movies, but I particularly enjoy documentaries and nonfiction.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Let's be cliche for a moment: have a kid. Also, moving to multiple countries by myself, was pretty cool too...I guess.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: How to be smart about taking jobs abroad. Science-y things?
Learn: Whatever you want to teach me.
Share: What do you want to know?

What I Can Share with Hosts

Lots of stories and the ability to be either very quiet or very talkative depending on the mood you are in. I also am a very neat and helpful guest, and I love to cook. :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, Spain, United States, Wales