CURRENT MISSION

To learn, to teach, to serve, to know.

ABOUT ME

The last several years have seen me wandering about here and there, in search of new experiences and life realizations. Since childhood, I've always sought out the joy of being with people, and have therefore continued to pursue opportunities to do just that. After graduating from high school, I lived in Anchorage, AK, subbing in the public schools, working with many of the native children. I then ventured to a one-year Discipleship college outside of Calgary, Alberta, working as a "Dean" of students, which really meant that I was a glorified RA for 22 incredible college women. Then I moved to Minnesota, my home state, and began pursuing a life-long dream to become an ESL teacher. I have always loved languages, always loved working with children, and knew that as soon as I took my first ESL course that I was doing exactly what I wanted to be doing all along. I succeeded in getting my certification to teach grades K-12, and was at a good break point. Therefore, I picked up and moved with my sister and two friends to Ethiopia, where I've been for the last year--teaching English, falling in love with the people, and getting to know this incredible culture as much as I can. In two weeks, we head back to the States, where I'll continue my Master's courses, get in a class room, and pray to come back to Ethiopia as soon as I can.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe that I was created to be a teacher. I believe that I was created to love people. And I believe that I was created to serve my Creator, which I can do through the first two things that I believe.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

As I'm a new member, I'm just starting the process of helping to build the couch surfer's community. It excites me to think that this is yet another opportunity to share life with people--from all over the world.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Since we've been in Ethiopia, we have had the chance to house almost 20 different people--most whom we had never met prior to being here in this country. Word got around that we were here, and contacts just sort of fell in our laps--requests for a place to stay, some information about the city of Addis Ababa, a friendly conversation, etc. So, we've had a grand time with new friends from all over, and have been able to share our individual experiences with each other, learning and laughing along the way.

Interests

People, music, reading, canoeing, swimming, hiking, learning, exploring...

• culture
• reading
• music
• hiking
• canoeing
• swimming
• teaching
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Great music-- "The Three of Us" by Ben Harper
Great book-- "Jayber Crow" by Wendell Berry
Great movie-- "Amelie"

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Well, for starters, I've lived this past year in Addis Ababa, Ethiopa, and have met some pretty incredible people. This country, for being so hidden from the rest of the world, is beautiful--beyond words.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd love to share my knowledge of teaching from the experiences that I've had. I'd also love to learn from others' teaching experiences, because there's still so much that I just don't know.