CURRENT MISSION

See, do, and learn as much as I can... in Europe!

ABOUT ME

I am easy going, extraverted, compassionate, and fun. I love to laugh and meet new people and cultures. I myself am multi-cultural. Though I was born and raised in the United States (excluding 4 years in Norway due to my dad's job), my mother is Puerto Rican and Iranian and my father is Italian-American, so while I am called "gringa" in the Dominican Republic, I feel comfortable sharing with people from all different parts of the world. I lived in the Dominican Republic for four years after graduating college and just moved to England in September of 2016 where I am studying Education and International Development.

I am also a huge soccer (football) lover and have played all my life. The most beautiful sport in the world! I also love music, watching movies, going on hikes, dancing, and just having fun with kind people. I am open minded and love to meet people from all over the world and with all types of backgrounds and experiences.

PHILOSOPHY

Karma. You get what you give.

"A thousand candles can be lit from the flame of one candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness can be spread without diminishing that of yourself." - Mahatma Ghandi

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I used to host a lot when I lived in the Dominican Republic. Now that I am living in Cambridge, on campus dorms, there's not much I can do to host. I would be down to participate in Couchsurfing events, or eventually help people traveling in the area (but I'd need to get a good understanding of the area first... I've only been living here since September of 2016).

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have hosted several people in the Dominican Republic, and met up and shared with even more. In fact, some of these people have become very good friends of mine. Also, in the summer of 2014 I backpacked through South America, and stayed with Couchsurfing hosts in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. It was an incredible experience! I've also met up with a Couchsurfer in Cuba. Most of my experience has been in Latin America, so I'm excited to explore Europe now!

Interests

I love meeting new people, sharing stories and exchanging stories about culture and history. Though I have no musical talent, it is definitely one of my passions: I love going to live shows and dancing. I also like to read (novels, studies, news articles, etc.). And of course, I love soccer! I enjoy the outdoors, going to the beach, a hike through a forest, or up to a waterfall. I could also just sit in a plaza with a coffee or a beer and watch people. I love people watching!

Music, Movies, and Books

I am a huge movie lover, but there are too many to even begin naming. Some of the foreign dramas I can definitely recommend are the French films De rouille et d'os (Rust and Bone) and The Intouchables. I am also a huge fan of Denzel Washington and love the movie Remember the Titans because of its social message of race and equality. A good comedy (or romantic comedy) also always makes the list.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Skydiving was ridiculous (the most amazing adrenaline rush of my life).
My backpacking trip around South America (especially when I was alone for most of the trip) was incredible. I kept a travel journal and just being able to recall specific memories, moments, dishes, and people I met has been amazing. Cuba and Old Havana were spectacular (and visiting there really made me question most of what I was taught about the country's political history). Oh, and Turkey was BEAUTIFUL. It was unlike any of the traveling I did in Latin America. A friend and I rented a car for 10 days and traveled to all of Turkey's most beautiful cities (Istanbyl, Capadoccia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Cesme). The Greek ruins and beautiful landscapes were just breathtaking.

Teach, Learn, Share

Soccer, Dominican dance, how to make tostones (and other plantain dishes), etc.

What I Can Share with Hosts

What's mine is yours (to a certain extent)...

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, England, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin (French part), Spain, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Dominican Republic, England, Norway, United States