Hi there! I'm Ryan. I'm currently a PhD student at Northwestern University in the Slavic Languages and Literatures department, focusing particularly on early 20th-century Russian literature and theater. I know, it's a bit of a mouthful. I spend most of my non-studying time playing and designing board games, binge-watching television (preferably animated!), and discovering new places in the city with my friends. I'm always trying to wander into a film festival or a concert or a bar with unique architecture. I love getting to know folks and am easily dragged into conversations about games, philosophy, and music. I'm looking forward to meeting all kinds of couches and the people who own them!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I don't travel that often, but the times that I've couchsurfed, the person I've stayed with has always been a huge part of why I enjoyed my trip. I really like the idea behind the community and hope to participate more once I have a place that's a little more guest-friendly! In particular, I visit Indianapolis for GenCon every year and typically stay with a friend I made after couchsurfing with him years ago, but sometimes he's out of town!

Interests

• literature
• concerts
• festivals
• dining
• cheese
• cartoons
• trivia
• board games
• hiking
• tennis
• languages
• foxes
• gin

Music, Movies, and Books

Forever Music: Pinback, Caribou, Four Tet, Modest Mouse, LCD Soundsystem, Stromae, The Lowest Pair, Frightened Rabbit, Ben Frost, Chance the Rapper, Mountain Goats
Recently: Matthew Dear, The-Drum, Kedr Livanskiy, Moderat

Forever Movies: The Emperor's New Groove, It's Such a Beautiful Day, The Princess Bride, Moonrise Kingdom, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Primer, Upstream Color, Gattaca, Before Sunrise, GalaxyQuest, Hannah and Her Sisters, A Serious Man, Children of Men
Recently: High Life, Annihilation, Cold War, First Reformed

Books: Petersburg, The Brothers Karamazov, Bend Sinister, The Westing Game, Slaughterhouse-Five, Bluets, anything by Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky
Recently: A lot of secondary sources required for my dissertation

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I lived for a couple months at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico and got to hike around the world's largest single-aperture telescope. Didn't ever get a chance to re-enact the ending scene from GoldenEye, though. :(

Teach, Learn, Share

I am happy to share anything I've picked up in my years studying Russian literature (e.g. I've been head TA for a class about the meaning of life!). I have an "infectious enthusiasm" (not my words) when discussing board games and would be more than happy to provide some guidance for your next planned game night. Or I could just regale you with stories from living in Russia for a year.

I love hearing new perspectives on issues of identity, our current social and political moment, and religion/moral philosophy. My number one question for you will be what your favorite underappreciated local spot is.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, United States