Hello friends, fellow travelers, and anyone else who might be reading this!

Hi I'm Izabel, and 18 year old gal from the USA. My love for traveling started early. I grew up as a "worldschooler" traveling around the States with my family and mixing life experience with lots of fun unconventional passion-driven education. In 2015 my family left the USA and started full-time traveling around the world. I've lived, worked, and volunteered in over 20 countries with my family, and plan on calling Spain my home for the next few years.

I'm a second year university student studying education and cultural anthropology. I have a passion for learning languages (I speak English, conversational Spanish, and plan on learning French and Italian next!). I also love writing and photography, which I do both freelance and on my blog (Happyworldwanderer.wordpress.com).

Sustainability and minimalism are two lifestyles I live by. I only shop thrift, abide by natural remedies and DIY products, and all my belongings can fit into a 50-liter backpack. Living no-waste is my ultimate goal!

I'm not a vegan (yet) but I love the idea of consuming less meat and animal products. I love learning new vegan recipes, I've had some of the best and most diverse teachers on this subject. At the same time, I will never decline a non-vegetarian meal if given to me, I think doing so is wasteful.

I love food! I like to brag that there isn't something I've tried to date that I haven't liked. Curry has my heart, forever and always.

I read often! Books are without a doubt some of the best teachers there could be. My classrooms have no walls, and even my university life is unconventional. I take all my classes online to have the flexibility to explore the world around me.

I was raised without religion, but also as a "freethinker" to always keep an open mind and an inquisitive spirit. Although I consider myself to be an atheist, I think religion is a powerful unifying force and a beautiful element of many cultures.

I try to make the best of every situation and live life with no regrets. I'd choose memories over money any day. If I'm lucky enough to live to be 100 I hope I can look back on a life of experience, laughter, family, and friends.

And finally: Be soft. Don't let the world make you hard. Don't let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride in that even if the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place. - Lain Thomas.

Happy travels ya'll!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I was raised as a traveler! I grew up living in the homes of families all over the world and doing workaways. These experiences have molded me into the person I am today :). The world is my home, and I feel most comfortable while traveling and meeting new people from all over the world. Couchsurfing is an amazing platform, and there is so much to learn and experience through it!

I am currently in the process of moving back to Tenerife Island in Spain. Once I am settled in my own flat I'm excited to be hosting again!

Interests

• culture
• education
• cooking
• wine
• blogging
• minimalism
• hiking
• food
• sustainability
• lgbt
• spanish
• sustainable living
• creative writing
• teaching english
• family travel

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm definitely one of those people who has the ability to like any type of music! Some of my favorites are The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Manu Chao, Arctic Monkeys, Vance Joy, Nicky Jam, Danny Ocean, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Hozier, Portugal the Man, The Killers, Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Halsey, and MORE!

Classic lit was a household staple when I was growing up. I enjoy Dickens, Steinback, Salinger, and Maya Angelou. From this generation my favorites are The Kite Runner, Oranges are not the Only Fruit, Harry Potter, The Book Theif, and Sapiens. Book recs are always welcome!!

My fav films are Amelie, The Dead Poetry Society, Forrest Gump, Inception, La Vita è Bella, Carol, Avatar

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Slept under the stars in the Sahara Desert!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach writing, how to put together a WordPress blog, photography, how to get started freelancing, basic Spanish, and English!

I'd love to learn more languages, new recipes, and anything else you'd like to share!!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'd love to cook for you! I can also make a great friendship bracelet :)) We can share stories, and talk about anything really. If you have kids I'd be happy to babysit!

Countries I’ve Visited

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bulgaria, Mexico, Morocco, Spain, Thailand, United States