Whitney Handrich's Photo

Verified Profile

  • Payment verified
  • Phone verified
  • Government ID not verified

Not Accepting Guests

  • 80% response rate
  • Last login about 3 hours ago

Join Couchsurfing to see Whitney’s full profile.

Overview

  • 29 references 18 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English, Spanish; learning French, Italian, Korean, Portuguese
  • 36, Female
  • Member since 2008
  • Massage Therapist and Doula
  • No education listed
  • No hometown listed
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

I used to want to travel to every country in the world but I am just too slow! Latest plan: Live in the moment wherever I am

ABOUT ME

I'm South Korean born, adopted into the US, and have lived around cities in the US, worked and backpacked around some of South America, lived in the Basque Country (northern Spain), and eventually finally went back to South Korea to learn Korean and visit my birth country and birth family for the first time. An experience for sure.

After that, I spent some time travelling in Asia, seeing beautiful places and connecting with wonderful people --- doing work exchanges and practicing partner acrobatics, yoga, massage, and meditation.

I've been back in the US for almost a decade 😱 working here until I save up for travel again.

I love learning about the world and people. I don't travel as much as I did in my 20s. If some of the stuff in this profile seem outdated, it's because that was when I used CS the most and I have a hard time updating and deleting the evidence of that version of myself 🙃

I've had many different life chapters - working in the music industry, non profits, teaching English, as a nanny, kids yoga teacher. Now I'm a massage therapist and doula, with a side of community and mutual aid organizing. Always learning.

I love adventure, the outdoors, but also just relaxing and taking it easy with tea and board games and real conversation.

PHILOSOPHY

"Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I couchsurf, I'll host when I can, and generally I just like connecting with people to give/get travel inspiration.

I have met up to share advice on wherever I was living or just to hang out. I think Couchsurfing is the best way to learn about people and a place because it's more real than the brochures or info you find on the internet sometimes. You get to meet locals and learn about life beyond the touristic sights.

And best of all, you learn that we all have something in common and something to share.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I stayed with a few CS hosts in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay when I was in South America, surfing and meet-ups in Spain, stayed with a few hosts in Greece, and then a few more recently in Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand. I loved everyone I met so I'm hoping to meet more!!

To me, Couchsurfing is about making amazing connections around the world.... finding that no matter what the language, culture, or nationality, we all can find that soul connection with certain people..... And of course a pay-it-forward traveller spirit! Inspire and help each other live out their dreams!!!!

Interests

going on outdoor adventures, eating, playing football, listening to music in cars, trying new things, reading, getting lost, camping, making unrealistic plans to travel everywhere around the world, trees, thunderstorms, large bodies of water, farmers markets, festivals, board games, old furniture, rope swings, cliff jumping, hats and scarves, photography, surprises, sunshine, reunions, snow, travel, history, useless junk you can't get rid of, comfortable awkwardness, learning about everything, kami, change

  • culture
  • photography
  • festivals
  • cooking
  • coffee
  • yoga
  • meditation
  • walking
  • board games
  • reading
  • traveling
  • cars
  • music
  • outdoor activities
  • camping
  • surfing
  • scuba diving
  • cliff jumping
  • soccer
  • paragliding
  • history
  • languages
  • tourism
  • language exchange
  • ecotourism
  • beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Motorcycle Diaries, The Alchemist, Delaying the Real World, Harry Potter, The Invitation, One Day, Euphoria.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Just one? I still haven't given up hope that we can live out our dreams. It's never too early or late to start.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love practicing languages (it was my job) --- English, Spanish, some French, some Korean, and random words in Italian, German and Basque. I also like to experiment with cooking, and I think I'm pretty good at it! I can teach basic partner acrobatics, yoga, or Thai massage. And more than anything, I just like to connect - about life, travel... sharing stories from the past and ideas and plans for the future.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Travel stories and advice. Language exchange. Cooking. Yoga. Partner acrobatics. Hula hooping. Thai massage. A curious mind and attentive ear.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Myanmar, Peru, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Chile, South Korea, Spain, United States

Old School Badges

  • 2 Vouches
  • Pioneer Badge

Join Couchsurfing to see Whitney’s full profile.

My Groups