Hello! I'm a California-based student taking a gap year before pursuing my studies in New Hampshire. During the year I will be traveling, working at a startup with UX design, and doing au pair/baking school in France.

I love meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures, and having meaningful discussion. I'm flexible and don't need much – I'm happy with just a floor to sleep on and a roof above my head :)

Interests

• design
• modern art
• swing dancing
• education
• chinese food
• running
• windsurfing
• environmental protection

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm into classic, nonfiction, and fantasy literature.
Currently reading: The Design of Everyday Things, Diary of Anne Frank, and The Goldfinch (I have a habit of starting new books when I'm halfway through my original one). Book recommendations are always appreciated!

On the movie side: Borat, Hayao Miyazaki, KillBill (and Quentin Tarantino in general), and When Harry Met Sally. I like movies with a deeper meaning and humor.

Also – musicals and ballet! I try to hit up a different play in every country I visit.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I once survived three days without food while orienteering in Lake Tahoe back country.
During which I saw a crazy comet cross a sky spilt with stars. Shivered through sleepless, frozen nights. Spent days delirious in the sun triangulating on trampled maps. Got dehydrated. Got hypothermia. Got lost.

It was a breathtaking, stomach-wrangling experience. And 10/10 would recommend :)

Teach, Learn, Share

I love cooking food and baking bread! At home I make wild sourdough starter for hearth-baked goodies to share with family and friends. I also ran a cooking blog to debunk the takeout-Chinese food stereotype, and I'd be glad to share some authentic recipes/meals with you :)

I love to help with chores and as I kid I was obsessed with doing the dishes...

Learning and teaching languages – yes! Any of the "Languages I'm Fluent In." My Mandarin comes from a brief stint in China, so it's quite rudimentary.

Aside from this, I'm certified to teach windsurfing. Or if you need the following services: CPR, Red Cross First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and life guarding. Um, hopefully not!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Enthusiasm, adventure, and good conversation. I love discussing anything from education to artificial intelligence! If I know nothing about a subject, so much the better! I like hearing what others are interested in.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States