CURRENT MISSION

Experience other people's culture from their perspective

ABOUT ME

I recently graduated from the University of California in Los Angeles and now am teaching English in Japan. I did a double major in Economics and French. Though I studied in LA, I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area (so a true Norcal kind of guy). I enjoy learning (preferably on my own, but from people much more knowledgeable is much faster). I'm not afraid to travel on my own (which I've done a bit), but I enjoy being with others (except at museums, where going at someone else's pace is terrible).

Je parle assez couramment français, mais il y a des jours où j'ai des difficultés. J'aime bien le vin (bien sûr), et la France me manque beaucoup. Si vous êtes français, je serai particulièrement content de vous montrer ma ville.

La verdad es que mi castellano no es bueno. Nunca he aprendido una clase, entonces hay muchas palabras y frases que no conozco, pero me gustaria practicarlo.

今 日本語勉強したいけど 難しいから、 まだ 上手じゃない。 でも 日本語を話したら 教えてください！

PHILOSOPHY

Everything happens for a reason even if you can't see why right now.

I do my best to live my life to the fullest without regrets.

I also have problems staying in the moment, living for the present.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Now that I have my own place, I can actually host. I hang out with several couch surfers in the area as well, so if you don't stay with me, you're probably staying with a friend (or a friend of a friend).

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I studied abroad a few years ago with a group of friends. We were pretty far along in the semester, and as we traveled a lot, even hostels started becoming expensive. We went to Grenoble and decided to try couch surfing. I was worried because it is strange to stay at someone's house that you have never met. I mean, what if they're weird, or mean, or crazy? I figured we were with a group so no matter what, we would be ok.
I was literally amazed at the warmth and hospitality we received. I wish I remembered their name (my friend made an account on here) but it was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. Complete strangers not only housed us, but we shared a full, home-made meal complete with plenty of wine and took us all out to their local hot spots.
I know it took a while for me to actually start, but this is my small way of paying it forward.

Interests

Traveling (of course), drinking (not going to lie...), eating, trying new things, speaking in foreign languages, and learning from my mistakes (though sometimes, I don't learn very fast...).

• culture
• wine
• drinking
• traveling
• surfing
• economics
• languages

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Sunrise atop Mt. Fuji for my birthday

Teach, Learn, Share

I am Japanese American and although I am still learning about my Japanese culture, I identify myself as American too.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Saint Lucia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Japan, Paraguay, United States