CURRENT MISSION

Finish school, change the world

ABOUT ME

Intense, passionate, engaged, big smiler, big heart, adventurous, world traveler, go-getter.

PHILOSOPHY

No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Strive to be happy.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love traveling, but in a way where I get to know a city and a place off the beaten track. That means spending an afternoon having conversations with new friends in a coffeeshop instead of standing in line for hours at a tourist attraction; trying the best fish-sandwich ever from a man standing underneath a bridge rather than a 5-star restaurant; taking photographs and attempting to capture the new sights, sounds, smells and colors of a place.

The best way to do this is by meeting people local to the place you are visiting and seeing the city through their eyes and their world.

Interests

I am currently working on my PhD in International Studies at the University of Denver. I research women's movements in the Middle East--with a focus on Israeli and Palestinian women's activism for peace. I previously lived in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for three years while completing a masters in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies in Jerusalem. I am passionate about photography, social justice, food, new languages and more.

I am a big reader, big traveler and huge fan of NPR podcasts. I am always content to be in a new city wandering with a roll of film. You can look at my photography/writing from my time in Jerusalem here: www.sophieschor.com

• writing
• photography
• womens rights
• dining
• cooking
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• podcasts
• music
• languages
• activism
• international politics
• social movements

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite books, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (Michael Chabon), The Book Thief (Markus Zusak), The Tipping Point (Malcolm Gladwell) and Everything is Illuminated (Joseph Safran Foer).

Music: The XX, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Alt-J, Feist, Lykke Li, The Lumineers, Local Natives, Paper Bird, Simon and Garfunkle, Bob Dylan, Riff Cohen, Tennis, Hood Internet, Macklemore, Mean Lady, Peggy Sue, Little Dragon, Laura Marling and more!

Movies: Wild Rose, American Honey, The Beginners, Amélie, Roman Holiday, Pirate Radio, Brick, Rear Window

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I lived in a cave for two-months as part of a protest encampment and a nonviolent direct-action against the occupation of the Palestinian territories. Check out Sumud Freedom Camp :)

Teach, Learn, Share

I love learning new languages! I currently speak fluent French and Hebrew and passable Arabic. My favorite experience is playing with words until we find a way to communicate and understand each other.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Writing/editing help. Cooking! Film photos! Perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a glimpse into what life is like there.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Morocco, Netherlands, Palestine, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Israel, Morocco, Palestine, United States