ABOUT ME

I just finished my Junior year at the University of Minnesota, and am spending the summer working, and developing a video game in my spare time. I'm a quiet, thoughtful person who enjoys hearing people's stories and talking in-depth about various topics.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

In my mind, one of the best parts about travelling is getting the chance to meet new people and learn about different viewpoints/lifestyles that you might not otherwise be exposed to. Couch surfing seems like an amazing way to do that, and hosting seems like a way to have that sort of experience while also helping folks out with a place to stay.

Interests

I really like reading; some favorite books are: Evidence of Things Unseen, Dhalgren, Starship Troopers, and House of Leaves. I got a fair ways through an English major, and, consequently, I've read way more classic literature than I think anyone does naturally.
I hesitate to say that I'm really passionate about video games, because that usually conjures an image of someone who's got a problem, but I'm a big fan, and I think the medium is on the cusp of being able to produce games that are able to stand up as unqualified pieces of great art.
I love being outdoors, and I go camping and hiking a lot-- I was a guide at a youth wilderness camp this past summer.

• arts
• books
• literature
• environment
• politics
• video games
• reading
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• canoeing
• camping
• surfing
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

I suppose books have been covered; I really like rap, especially southern rap like Big K.R.I.T., Killer Mike, or Devin the Dude. I'm a childish gambino fan, although I'm disappointed in his latest mixtape.
I enjoy movies, but don't watch them terribly often. Off the top of my head though, Before Midnight, The Double, and Wet Hot American Summer are all movies I've enjoyed heartily.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of the most valuable things I've done is working at a summer camp this past summer, Camp Amnicon. It was a wilderness camp, so me and another guide would take groups of middle/senior high schoolers on weeklong canoeing trips in the area around northern Minnesota, which meant that I got to spend almost my entire summer outdoors.
The camp put a big emphasis on facilitating a positive and empowering environment for the campers, and so I spent a lot of time building confidence, affirming campers, and providing a chance for them to talk about "deep stuff" in a safe and positive environment.
Obviously not every trip was a life-changing experience for every camper, but I really believe I was able to do a lot to make some kids lives better, and I feel really proud of that, and really grateful that I was able to have that opportunity.

Teach, Learn, Share

Man, I don't really know what this means, but I've generally found that I enjoy to learn and share. I've a great deal of passion for hearing other people's perspectives on life/art/politics/whatever, and I'm generally a very open person.