CURRENT MISSION

I am going on an adventure

ABOUT ME

My name is Xiaozhou Gao and people call me Joe, or Xiao, or sometimes Gao.

I came to the U.S. in early 2010 to pursue a bachelor degree. I had a FANTASTIC undergraduate tenure in both Georgia and East Tennessee where I met amazing people and made some very good friends.

I am a very outgoing person and enjoy meeting people from all over the world. I have been to 4 countries and over 100 cities. I couldn't tell you enough how I love travelling. In my opinion travelling is not only about visit resorts or have local food, but also meet with new people with diversed background.

Experiencing the culture and serving the community are my passions which drive me to explore new places. I have been to North Carolina for the Alternative Spring Break, Kentucky for a community service, and Virginia for the purpose of helping the local community clean up the debris after a tornado.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Three years ago, I took an Oral English class with instructor Michelle , who taught English in my Chinese university. Her conversational and inspirational teaching style motivated me to fully participate in the class and to share my thoughts with others. Her engaging American style of teaching made me eager to seek education in the United States.

Three years later, I went to Knoxville, Tennessee to visit her and I crashed on her couch that night. I am so glad to meet her in China and then have the joy of seeing her on the other side of the world three years after that. And on that day she told me there is a website called CouchSurfing.:)

Interests

Kayaking - so much fun
Roadtrip - It feels so good!
Climbing - Once I transferred because the new school has a climbing wall:)
Pottery - I took Beginning Throwing in senior year and loved it!
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu - It's not only a martial art but a life-style of living.

• arts
• culture
• education
• dining
• instructor
• movies
• traveling
• socializing
• pottery
• kayaking
• rock climbing
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

BOOKS:
Tuesdays with Morrie;
Harry Potter 1-7;
Lord of Rings 1-3 and The Hobbit;

Music:
EDMs
From Eden
Someone like you;
You're Beautiful;

Movie:
too many

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

#I didn't sleep for 4 nights straight when preparing for graduate school application essays (hard work paid off as I got admitted eventually);

#I kayaked in a storm;

#Not sure if this one counts but I watched all 4 Twilight movies

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Japan, Mexico, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Japan, United States