In the fall of 2016 I started a Master's degree program at Harbin Normal University (哈尔滨师范大学) and I plan to live in China until about 2020. Hopefully in this time I will be able to see much of the country and interact with both locals and foreigners.

I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a major in linguistics. I currently aspire to study Chinese linguistics in China. Aside from speaking English and Russian natively, I spent a year in Poland learning Polish and am now actively working my way towards fluency in Mandarin Chinese.

If we have the chance to meet, I'm sure we can find some common interests to talk about. My personal favorite topics are politics, culture, ideas, books, and all the things going on around us. Don't hesitate to contact me if you're in Harbin!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Although my current situation (student dormitory) doesn't allow me the opportunity to host any Couchsurfers, I would glad to meet up and walk around Harbin with you. In the future, once circumstances permit, I will resume hosting.

I've had some couchsurfing experience in the past, both with the use of this website and without. One experience that stands out is hosting two brothers for the Austin leg of their cross-country college-football-chasing journey around the USA.

Interests

• culture
• books
• exercise
• politics
• chinese
• tea
• language
• china
• russian
• polish

Music, Movies, and Books

Some of the books that have shaped my worldview: The World Until Yesterday by Jared Diamond; Ishmael by Daniel Quinn; and Manufacturing Consent by Noam Chomsky. These three were just the first that came to my head when thinking about the books that had a big impact on my thinking.

Music -- I have my tastes but I am open to anything.

Movies -- Same as music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've been to the westernmost edge of the Great Wall of China! Actually, it's just a mound of packed dirt, but it sure does sound cool when you say it.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories, experiences, my cooking skills(!), a laugh or two.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, China, Lithuania, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Russian Federation, Taiwan, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Poland, United States

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