Hello! My name is Vandan, and I'm a student at the University of Western Ontario, where I study medical science and psychology. I have lived and grown up in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), but I am eager to see the rest of the world. I'm a fun, out-going guy that is fascinated by everything new!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am excited to meet locals from the areas that I visit, and as a student, I am always looking for the cheapest way to have the greatest experience. I believe couchsurfing can provide me a safe, fun, and valuable alternative to the run-of-the-mill hotel/hostel experience. Hopefully, I get to meet some cool locals and get a real flavour for the cities I visit!

Interests

I'm a fan of most arts-y type of thins. I love music, literature, and poetry, and finding people who enjoy the same things. I also love listening to passionate people explain their interests and hobbies, as they quickly become mine! Listening to hip-hop/rap is where I feel most at home, but I dabble in other genres as well.

• arts
• literature
• poetry
• folklore
• running
• music
• camping
• psychology
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Some of my favourite music artists are Eminem, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Drake, but I'm always listening to new stuff to try and broaden my horizons. I would have to say my favourite two movies would be V for Vendetta, and Dead Poets' Society. The scripts in those movies are to die for. In terms of books, I'm a fan of non-fiction, so I would have to say Moonwalking with Einstein, which explores hidden treasures of how our memory works, and Quiet, a book that discusses the power of introverts in a world that values the extrovert so heavily.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

During my last academic year, I was part of an organization that holds a 24-hour camp-out event called the Austen Berlet Campout for Mental Health, where I was able to raise $12,605 for the Canadian Mental Health Association. This money went to hiring additional counsellors that specialize in helping students deal with exam-time stress and anxiety to help more students get the help they need to succeed. It was an incredible experience, and I hope to keep the tradition going with another incredible fundraiser this year!

Teach, Learn, Share

I love speaking about the cultures that I'm from, and I could teach you how to speak some basic Gujarati, my mother tongue. I'm always interested to hear new stories and share my own.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, France, Germany, India, United States Minor Outlying Islands

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada