(Apologies for the lack of pictures; I'm having trouble uploading any from my phone at the moment. For more pictures and info: www.facebook.com/seanpeterhoran)

"Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men [sic] to the divine.” ~LVB~

I know that my profile is rather long; however, by reading it, you should walk away with a pretty clear picture of who and what I am ;)

I love nothing more than traveling and exploring. I've been to almost every country in Europe, and a handful of other places, and I split my time between school in the US and my favorite place on the planet: Viterbo, Italy.

I usually exude confidence; however, like everyone else, I have insecurities that sometimes baffle reason.

It often both scares and excites me that I don't yet have definitive answers to questions like: Why am I here? What is the nature of reality? What do I want to be when I grow up (I mean, yes, I'm going to be a naturopathic physician- but who do I want to be and how do I want to do it best?)...

Me in one word: ineffable (Ya, sometimes I'm a smartass).

I moved to Portland from Viterbo, Italy to pursue my Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine, an MS in Integrative Medicine Research, and to earn my midwifery licensure. I just completed my MS in Bioethics with a research focus in Women's Reproductive Health Policy from the Alden March Bioethics Institute at Albany Medical College. I am a firm believer that the good parts of "conventional" medicine and the good parts of naturopathic and other systems of medicine can be integrated and become inclusive enough to ensure the best possible health outcomes with the least amount of harm, all while delivering health care in a more humane, compassionate, and individualized manner (not to mention, more affordable).

I completed my BA with a dual major in Philosophy and Religious Studies; however, I would describe myself as a hopeful agnostic atheist. That is to say, I do not believe a God exists; however, even if one did exists, empirical evidence of that existence could not be found in the physical universe, so the question is truly unanswerable either way. I hope this is not all that we are, but the beauty of the universe and of the laws of nature is more than sufficient to provide me with meaning and purpose in life, and force me to ask questions even more profound and ethereal than going immediately to the answer of God for their response. Because I can't ask my invisible friend in the sky for forgiveness, I always try to do what I believe to be the best possible and most right thing so as not to have any regrets.

I would consider myself a feminist; although, the term absolutist gender egalitarian might be a better description for me- but, I use the term feminist because that's what my academic work and research focus is best classified as.

I am a positive humanistic lover of life and life's pleasures- a pseudo ethical hedonist, if you will. I'll try anything twice. We get one shot at existence, and I want mine to be as full and rich (not referring to $$$) as it can be, while also doing everything I can to ensure I help my fellow human beings with the talents and skills I am fortunate to possess. I know exactly who I am and what I want in this moment, but the course of my life has already, and will continue to, change both who I am and what I want, and I look forward to getting to meet myself and others as new experiences cause us to grow, change, and mature.

Live. Love. Forgive. Imagine. Experience. Do Well. Do Good.

===The Myers-Briggs Foundation would, interestingly, also agree that I am ineffable, since the three times I have had the test professionally administered I scored even for the same two types and every internet test I have taken swings back between the two. According to the full MBTI assessment, if your into that, I am on the cusp between ENTJ and INTJ with a 4-6% preference one way or the other between the E and I depending on the questions asked... and both of which are the least common personality types according to my research)...Interestingly, the Keirsey Temperament Sorter places me in Idealist-Healer ENFP (usually)... I'd say I am very much in between all three- a combo of The Executive- why I got a BA in Philosophy and Religious Studies and did pre-med concurrently), The Scientist (Why I got my MS in Biomedical Ethics and am pursuing a second in Integrative Medicine Research), and The Healer (Why I am in school to be a physician)... Why limit myself to one personality type, when I can embody three all at once?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet new world travellers, experience the beauty of the world through the perspective of locals, and to see the world.

Interests

Learning new languages and practising the ones I already know.

• arts
• beauty
• ethics
• reading
• traveling
• atheism
• languages
• medicine
• science

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Lived abroad.