CURRENT MISSION

I am a retired professor, traveling in North Carolina to find a new place to live. I love to connect people with opportunities that they didn't know existed, pay it forward, and have great conversations. My passion is teaching women who live IN Afghanistan under the Taliban, from my home in PA. I also tutor English and I love couchsurfing because of the human connection and exchange of stories. I am kind and friendly, a well published scientist who can talk to civilians !

ABOUT ME

Despite my profile nickname, I am an American, but I'm still an Aussie Sheila! I am outgoing and easy to talk to. I am kind and I look for opportunities to help. I am curious about people and I love to knit and to read. I live in State College, PA, close to Penn State University. For vistors, The bus comes close to my place and you can get to campus in 15-20 min. For my guests: my dog is tiny, quiet, and adorable. Also, hypoallergenic. I don't travel with my dog unless special arrangements are made with my hosts!

PHILOSOPHY

Pay it forward, be resourceful, work to the greater good, find ways to connect authentically with strangers.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have had beautiful experiences as a visitor and a host. Surfing and hosting was the highlight of 6 month trip to Australia and New Zealand.

Interests

I am a retired professor and for years, I have done research on the effects of foods and nutrients on vascular function. My PhD is in biological psychology. I like to teach and travel. I'm comfortable with people younger than myself, both as hosts and as guests. I love dogs and discussing science, culture, travel, our life stories. I'm super sober but it is ok if you aren't

• dogs
• writing
• cooking
• traveling
• teaching
• spirituality

Music, Movies, and Books

Right now, I am listening to: Guster, Ben Folds, Beck and Moxie Fruvous. I'm reading The Social Genome. Its premise is that OUR genomes can affect the behavior of others in our social network. As a biological psychologist, this is a revolutionary twist on nature vs. nurture !

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

New Zealand is staggeringly beautiful ! My family and I worked on a farm (through another online network of travelers) and we visited the gold mining claim being worked by one of our hosts. A few years ago, I lived on a 135 foot sailboat for a week off the coast of California as part of a scientific mission. I was terribly seasick but it was a great trip. So many stars in the sky above the pacific ocean.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm a very good writer and editor. I'm a great listener. I can cook for you, tell you about my travels, interpret your cholesterol profile, or help you strategize about a career change or contemplate a radical life change. I like kids and I don't mind helping around the house. I can tell you about my scientific work. I'm an expert on the health effects of stress

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love people and their stories. Let's cook together, take a walk, or go for coffee. I like kids and I don't mind helping around the house. I'll walk your dog.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, England, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, United Kingdom, United States