Hi there!! I am Jessica (or just call me Jess) and I'm currently taking some time off work to travel the world, volunteer and just make more friends. I would love to learn more about local culture - and try some local vegetarian food 🌿

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have spent the last year travelling, and being hosted by so many generous people on my travels. We have experienced exceptional kindness and generosity by our many hosts, and one day I'd love to return the favour. ☘️

Currently we are travelling the year for one year, and using CS to meet locals which in essence is my favorite part of any place. 🌍

Interests

Before I began CS, I was an avid pet sitter, so if you have a pet I'd LOVE to meet them 😺

I am a lover of the small things-- may that be a cup of coffee in the morning, watching the sunrise/sunset, sitting in the sun listening to a podcast or reading a good book. I get great joy out of seeing cute animals. I'm a bit shy at first-- but I have a great interest in learning about other cultures, food and movies. I love foreign films and would love some suggestions (or maybe we can watch together with subtitles?)

I'm currently rotating between non-fictional (philosophy, buddhism) and fictional (fantasy) books. My most recent favorite book was Daring Greatly by Brenë Brown, an awesome book about shame and vulnerability.

I am an avid cook, and I love spending the aftw wasernoon in the kitchen cooking up a storm. If you're ever hosting me, I'd love try something from your culture, to share a meal or maybe to cook for you (main, vegetarian shepherds pie 🥕 or for, dessert, apple crumble 🍏).

• animals
• cooking
• coffee
• baking
• yoga
• running
• meditation
• reading
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• swimming
• spirituality
• buddhism

Music, Movies, and Books

Music 🎶
The Cranberries, Peach Pit, Girl in Red, The Wombats, The Vaccines, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Franz Ferdinand.

Books 📚
Grit by Angela Duckworth. Robin Hobb, "the realm of the elderlings" series (currently reading). I really love the work of Eckhart Tolle, "the power of now" and "a new earth" really influenced me.

Movies 🍿
12th fail (Indian movie, my absolute favourite). 100 days of Summer. Shutter Island. Ballad of songbirds and snakes. Clueless.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I received my Shodan (black belt) in shotokan karate. 🥋

Completed my PhD in Chemistry. 🧪

Completed a 1900 km cycle tour around New Zealand. 🚲

Started sponsoring a child in Nepal from an underprivileged family, to help her through school 🏫

Within 10 m encounter with a tiger in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. 🐯

Cycled across the Steppe and into the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. Fully sufficient with a water purification system, stove and tent. (We broke down and got stranded in the desert....) 🏜️

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you about Irish culture. I'm also training to be a qualified yoga teacher, so if you're interested in some flows or meditation let me know. 🧘🏼

I have a great interest in self development and spirituality, and I love to constantly learn more about philosophy and points of view.

I'm currently learning Gaelige, the native language of Ireland 🇮🇪 It may be the native language of Ireland but very few people speak it!

Share food. Share laughs. Share experience of a good film or meal together. I love going to the cinema, watching foreign films or watching the newest horror movie 👻

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can bake you an Irish dessert, apple crumble 🍏 I enjoy cooking so I can also make you a delicious vegetarian meal!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, Ireland, United States