Hello! I'm Danielle.

In the past, I used this site a lot (I traveled alone with just my pack in the states in 2008), and I'm hoping to start using this again to host & travel! I forgot my old login, and unfortunately, I haven't been on many non-local adventures since then, as I was completing my undergraduate degree. I'm way overdue for an adventure, honestly.

I live with my best friend (who also just happens to be my husband) in Greenville, SC. I'm originally from the Pittsburgh area, and while I miss Pittsburgh every day, I'm loving the sunshine of the South. There's a ton to explore, and I'm finding my way here.

I'm currently in grad school to become a middle school English teacher at Clemson University and work as a Youth Mentor in a group home for teenage girls in the foster system. We're pretty busy, but I'll be glad to host, if I'm available.

I love adventures, being outside, camping, biking, hiking, and swimming in natural bodies of water. I read a lot and spend time with my husband and our dog, Luna. I'm also a huge foodie, and I like to cook.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I had such an amazing experience with couchsurfing, and now, I want to host & give back to the community!

I'm also planning some adventures in the future. This is an awesome site, and I'm glad to be a part of it again.

Interests

I really like animals and nature. I like thinking and learning and reading and writing and doing stuff. I like meeting people who are changing the world and making it a nicer place.

My idol is Mister Rogers. He grew up about 30 minutes from my hometown.

• animals
• writing
• photography
• dining
• vegan
• yoga
• meditation
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• swimming
• reading books
• biking
• learning
• environmentalism
• being outside
• vegan and vegetarian food

Music, Movies, and Books

I like stuff that would be reviewed on NPR, if I'm being honest with myself.

I like folk punk, quiet lo-fi stuff, and some pop. Some of my favorite artists are Mt. Eerie, Thanksgiving, Jeffrey Lewis, Belle and Sebastian, Ghost Mice, Mountain Goats, Ted Leo, Sleater-Kinney, Devendra Banhart, Neutral Milk Hotel, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Woods, Avett Brothers, Waxahatchee, Hop Along, and folky stuff.

I'm all over the place with movies. I like comedy, weird documentaries, and dramas...mostly the quiet, independent stuff.

I read a lot of poetry & nonfiction. A few of my favorite authors are Gary Snyder, Wendell Berry, bell hooks, and Diane DiPrima. I own more books than a person really should. I love books and the library!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I traveled alone when I was 19 with just my backpack...all around the states. I got really involved with environmental activism.

I followed Devendra Banhart for most of his tour in 2007.

I've met a lot of random musicians, and I have a lot of random stories about them.

I've biked from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD.

I went to Hawaii.

I camped a lot and biked a lot.

I married a really awesome human!

I've done a lot of amazing things. It's been pretty fun and hard to just pick one!

Teach, Learn, Share

I want to learn everything that I can. Teach me anything!

Sharing is cool, always. Everyone should be kind & share what they can.

I like thinking about ways to make the world a better place. I have a degree in Urban Studies, and the program was really flexible and multidisciplinary. I tailored it to research sustainable food systems and urban gardening/farming. I spent a lot of time learning about the problems and issues in our food system (food deserts, environmentally-damaging and unsustainable production, farmer suicides in India), which was a bummer, so I like spending my time focusing on people doing positive things to change or combat the bad now. I've been involved with environmental activism and food justice movements, and since most of the stuff that I've done has been intellectual/academic, I'd like to get my hands dirty (literally) and learn how to actually grow plants or even just permaculture design. It's an evolving goal!

I'm going back to school to get my MAT at Clemson (the program is in Greenville at the University Center) and get certified to teach Middle Grades English Language Arts! Kids are super cool, and I'm excited for this chapter.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I try to leave every place better than I found it (much like hiking).

I can share good conversation, respect, a great meal, and help with anything you might need. I like to give back and help and make connections.