Samantha J Gullion's Photo

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  • 100% response rate
  • Last login about 2 months ago

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Overview

  • 48 references 32 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English, French; learning Spanish
  • 34, Female
  • Member since 2010
  • Program Officer in International Development
  • MPA if you want credentials
  • No hometown listed
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

I am a returned Peace Corps Volunteer living in Barbados. Looking forward to giving back to the community that has hosted me for so many years in a beautiful place!

CURRENT MISSION

To create positive change in the way we view and interact with our food systems.

ABOUT ME

I'm captivated by people. I want to learn all I can about cultures around the world in order to build my own. I love to cook and share experiences with people.

I'm not very good at making life plans because I tend to go with my instincts, which lead me in a million directions over a given period of time. Who knows where I'll end up. :)

I completed Peace Corps service in Togo, West Africa from 2016-2018. During this time period and during COVID lockdowns, I didn't travel, so I've got a lot of ground to make up.

PHILOSOPHY

Do one thing every day that scares you.

The best way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as a magnificent adventure.

Never regret something that once made you smile.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love to meet new people and learn about other cultures. I love feeding people too, so expect at least one good (healthy) meal if I'm not super busy. ;)

I've met couchsurfers in every city I've visited since I joined the site. They are always the most fun people to hang out with. :)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Surfed with people in Italy and had a wonderful time. It was nice having someone to show me around and suggest places for me to visit. I got to know a lot of people there and was grateful for the chance to see true Italian culture rather than the tourist version.

Have also surfed other places and always enjoy having the company and seeing hole-in-the-wall places I wouldn't necessarily have seen otherwise.

I had an amazing host in San Diego who showed Richard (http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/dicy102/) and I around while I was doing a photo project on tattoos.

Had so much fun with couchsurfers in Dublin, even though I didn't get a chance to surf with any. :)

I've hosted a few people, but not too many come through Conway, AR. I moved to DC in 2018 and haven't had the space to host since then, unfortunately. I'm always up for meeting new people and exploring Barbados together so if you're in town, hit me up!

Hosted:
James OBeirne and friend June 2011
John Burnett December 2011
Martha Daxer December 2011
Andrew Gomez October 2012
Mario Landeros November 2012
Rory and Brian October 2013
Andrew Callaway January 2014
Charles Williamson 2018
Jade Martin 2022
Jannick 2023
Ice 2023
Darlene and kids 2023
Adrian 2023

Interests

Travel, Cooking/Food, Dancing, Photography, Books, Movies, Culture, Slow Food, Learning Languages, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Gardening/Farming, Adrenaline Rushes, Spontaneity

  • arts
  • culture
  • books
  • photography
  • tattoos
  • dancing
  • dining
  • cooking
  • flying
  • gardening
  • movies
  • traveling
  • hiking
  • rock climbing
  • languages
  • volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
Pretty much everything-- big fan of anything I can dance to.

Movies:
The Theory of Everything, On the Road, Man in the Moon, Pretty Woman, Modify (documentary), Jeux d'Enfants (Love Me if You Dare), Practical Magic, Julie and Julia, Into the Wild, Slow Food Revolution

Books:
Sapiens, The Poisonwood Bible, Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, Omnivore's Dilemma, Tales of a Female Nomad, 1984, The Great Gatsby, Crime and Punishment, SEAfare, Hunger Games Trilogy, Sevenwaters Trilogy, Into the Wild, American Gods, A Song of Fire and Ice series, World War Z, In Defense of Food, Name of the Wind series, Mediterranean Summer, Where the Crawdads Sing

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The most amazing thing I've done so far is buy a plane ticket to Italy for winter break on a whim. I had an amazing time and met some really awesome people, many of which have become lifelong friends!

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm an excellent cook (at least my friends, Chef Scott and I think so) and I've taught quite a few people the basic dance steps for east and west coast swing (though I'm getting rusty on that count).

I'd like to learn more dance techniques and how to better survive in the wilderness. I'm always looking for a new recipe to try. :D

I also love learning words in other languages. I know at least a few words in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Ikposso, and Ewe. :) I pick up languages really easily and would love to have you teach me something new in your home language!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share with you stories of my travels, good food, and suggestions of places to visit around the island.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Benin, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Netherlands, Niger, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Spain, Switzerland, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United States, Virgin Islands, British

Countries I’ve Lived In

Barbados, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, United States

Old School Badges

  • 2 Vouches
  • Pioneer Badge

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