I grew up on a small farm and could never have imagined then all of the places I’d see and experience after I started traveling in college. I've been to 80+ countries now and love more than anything to immerse myself in new cultures by meeting local people.

I also try to give back to local areas whenever and however possible - through clean water projects, youth sports, hanging with kiddos at orphanages or getting my hands dirty on occasion by working on a farm or planting trees.

I'm very chill when I travel, open to changing up my plans, trying something totally new and love off the beaten path experiences.

I've hosted travelers in the US for years through school exchanges. I'm fairly new to Couchsurfing, but can’t wait to meet other travelers and share travel experiences and stories with you.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I want to see every country in the world. More importantly, I want to meet and share experiences with the incredible people that make those countries come alive. I believe the more we interact with people different than us and realize how many similarities we have as humans, the more light and love and peace enters the world. And, the world can always use more light and love and peace.

I'm working on a travel project for high school students. I want to encourage them to travel and meet all sorts of people - to start to glimpse how awesome this planet is and how traveling can change their lives in so many ways. Couchsurfing is a great way of doing this.

Interests

• culture
• street art
• dancing
• environment
• cooking
• yoga
• reading
• music
• hiking
• sports
• nature
• sustainability
• international development
• travel writing
• microfinance
• natural medicine
• ngo work
• teaching/education
• clean water solutions

Music, Movies, and Books

Way too many to list, but The Alchemist is a favorite. I love travel and cultural books and how they expand our understanding of the world. Some of these include:

So a Fortune Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East
Living with Cannibals and Other Women's Adventures
The Invention of Nature (about Alexander von Humboldt's explorations)
Mark Twain's The Innocents Abroad
Anthony Bourdain's A Cook's Tour
The Art of Pilgrimage

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

A midnight dip in Bioluminescent waters in Puerto Rico
Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland
Playing pickup volleyball in Cambodia

Teach, Learn, Share

I've made it a practice to incorporate micro-adventures into daily life... I try to learn, see, do or experience something new every single day. Curiosity is a powerful life force and by making it a regular practice, I've learned so much. Happy to share.

I can prepare meals when possible... I love to cook and bake. My grandma taught me well. :-)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'd love to exchange travel stories and tips. There have been a few countries that have touched me deeply with their beauty and the warm hospitality of the people.

I have some of my travel photos on my student education blog. Feel free to check out a few at: https://travelperspectivesblog.wordpress.com/

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Panama, United States