Hello my name is Su

CURRENT MISSION

Apprendre le français, voyager et faire du sport

ABOUT MYSELF

Currently an exchange student at the University of Nice, France studying French, Psychology and Geography. My home univeristy is Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador where I am pursuing a B.A. I have also participated in the EXPLORE French language spring exchange program in Trois-Pistoles, Quebec. In the future I am interested in pursusing Education at an intermediate-secondary level.

I like to rock climb outdoors and used to be on a climbing team in Canada, while also coaching the junior climbing program at Wallnuts Climbing Centre. Now I do Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu with wrestling as cross-training including competitions. I am currently at the white belt level and am loving this martial art. I also occasionally practice Yoga in both hot yoga and non hot yoga forms. Addiionally I like ziplining, hiking, biking, camping, swimming and generally being outdoors.

Notes: Vegetarian, eat eggs and dairy, not meat. Allergic to cats and some dogs. I do not smoke, drink alcohol or do drugs.

Previously I sang with choirs including QVE Youth Choir, and travelled with them to Ottawa Ontario to Music Fest Canada where we received the gold award as well as participating in the Kiwanis Music Festival in newfoundland and receiving te rose bowl distinctiom. I am an alumna of Shallaway NSYC, a youth community choir. This has helped me travel to China to the International Society for Music Education Conference and to sing alongside Hey Rosetta! In the 2010 World Expo, to France, Belgium, the Nseveral for a WWI commemoration project celebrating the lives of 750+ soldiers who were lost on July 1st 1916 Beaumont-Hamel battle, to Austria and Hungary to compete in the 2012 Béla Bartok International Choral Competition where we placed second. We travelled to Portugal to do a youth exchane is Lisbon. We travelled to Costa Rica and Nicaragua to sing with their national children's choirs. All of these trips had an important mission to learn more about the world around us and grow as young people.

I volunteer with a by-youth-for-youth volunteer organization called Radhoc Youth Leadership. Every year we host a multi-day conference at the university for high school students from all over the province. They come to learn about social justice and human rights in a hands-on and interactive way. We decellop all of our teaching methods, materials and workshops ourselves.

Previously I have done volunteer work with Oxfam Canada. Through these organization we have learned about the role of women's rights in eradicating global poverty. We learned about hollistc approaches to development, with a strong focus on local communities and grassroots partners. This experience opened up my eyes to the priviledge that I do have, and to what I have yet to learn about making this world a better place.

Aside from this I like to do abstract painting with lots of colors and other mixed media art. I am learning to play the guitar as well as the ukulele. Mostly I sing classic pop sons so everyone can sing along.

PHILOSOPHY

Empathy is really important as well as kindness. I'm working on being the best friend I can be. Sometimes acceptance comes with leadership. And sometimes I could do more for the planet as well.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Right now I'm starting off slow on couchsurfing. I'm very open to going on coffee dates especially En Français to devellop my language skills. I'd like to try some events and meetups to connect with new people. I hope to soon feel comfortable with staying with people on couchsurfing, though in full knowledge I am not presently able to take people in where I live.

Interests

Usually I am obsessed with TED talks. They are an excellent way to learn something new and quirky and grt a new perspective. My favourite one of all ime is "The Power of Vulnerability" by Berne Brown. Second would be "Got a wicked problem? First show me how to make Toast" about systemic problem solving and thinking. Thirdly would be "Beware online filter bubbles" which I think is becoming increasingly revelant.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• literature
• performing arts
• photography
• concerts
• lgbt rights
• education
• human rights
• womens rights
• cooking
• coffee
• baking
• yoga
• technology
• anime
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• volunteer work
• painting
• music
• live music
• electronic music
• guitar
• martial arts
• wrestling
• rock climbing
• business
• teaching
• international relations
• languages
• social science
• social work
• study
• study abroad
• language exchange
• volunteering
• adventure travel
• parks
• ukulele
• adventure
• forests
• manga
• lgbt
• reading books
• playing ukulele
• social justice
• creativity
• couchsurfing
• national parks
• intersectionality
• feminism
• exploring
• innovation
• climbing
• children
• french
• foreign languages
• foreign cultures
• vegetarian cooking
• french food
• vegan cooking
• gayfriendly
• brazilian jiu jitsu
• acro yoga
• coldplay
• adventure sports
• letters
• doodling
• leadership
• rubik's cube
• intersectional feminism
• writing letters
• lgbtq
• systems

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC

Coldplay
Hey Rosetta!
The XX
Bonobo
Ed Sheeran

U2, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Green Day, Linkin Park, The Cure, Black Eyed Peas, City and Colour, Aerosmith, Of Monsters and Men, Alt J, The Beatles, Black M, Stromae, Bon Iver, Daft Punk, Dave Matthews Band, David Bowie, Death Cab for Cutie, Hedley, Howie Day, Hozier, Imagine Dragons, Ingrid Michaelson, Kids United, Les Soeurs Boulay, Patrice Michaud, The Lumineers, Maroon 5, Mumford & Sons, Oasis, Owl City, Pentatonix, Glee, Rajaton, The Rankin Family, Train, Vance Joy

Local bands: Shallaway NSYC, Lady Cove Women's Choir, Newman Sound Men's Choir, City on the Coast/ Dame Nature, Ennis, Allan Doyle, Pre-Raphaelites, Repartee, Quintessential Vocal Ensemble,

MOVIES: 🎟🎖

The Hunger Games, Harry Potter!
Les Intouchables, Les Choristes, Finding Neamo, Frozen, The Incredibles, Remember the Titans, Moana, Toy Story, Millions, Despicable Me,

TELEVISION: Though I prefer TED Talks

Orange is the New Black
Modern Family
Mythbusters
Glee
How it's Made

BOOKS

A Prayer for Owen Meany
Life According to Garp
Night
Les Misérables
The Life of Pi
The Hunger Games Harry Potter (I am a Hufflepuff)
Les Amants Taciturnes
The Grapes of Wrath
To Kill a Mockingbird
A Seperate Peace
Fahrenheight 451
I am Number Four
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Maze Runner
Daring Greatly
A Leaf in the Bitter Wind
The Breadwinner
Outliers
The Tipping Point
What The Dog Saw
Blink
David and Goliath
The Repblic, Plato

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The best job I ever had was working as a Program Assistant for SHAD (previously Shad Valley), a program that I attended when I was in high school. 56 of canada's best and brightest students stay at a canadian university for the month of July to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. They also complete a business project and prototype and go on visits accross their province.

The best part was taking them for a weekend tour of Fogo Island, newfoundland. There they saw one of the four corners of the flat earth, breathtaking wildlife and an incredibly welcoming local community. We saw stars under the freshest ocean air. We skipped rocks at the beach and had a campfire. These bonding moments are truly unforgetable.

Teach, Learn, Share

My one hidden talent would be solving a 3x3 Rubik's cube. I could probably teach you that just as well as watching Youtube. I also like to be that art kid and frequently zone out and doodle some mandalas. I can honestly say I am quite good with kids of all ages and love engageing the little ones.

What I Can Share with Hosts

With a host I could share my baking and/ or cooking skills. My signature dish would be Tunisian Pasta with lots of exotic spices. When I baked a lot I would make pretty epic double chocolate cookies. I am well known to reward hosts with treats. I firmly believe sharing food is one of the best experiences.

Am 100% willing to pitch in with housework, splitting grocery bills doing dishes, cleaning up and household chores with specific directions if needed.

Of course I am an open person who would love to share stories and experiences. I am curious about new cultures and countries. Also quite energetic and enthusiastic. Into trying new things.

LBGTQIA+ , MOGAI, SOGA, Queer & Trans Friendly

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Monaco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, France