My place is right between the MSP airport and the Mall of America—only 5 minutes from both! There is a light rail station right outside my door that goes to downtown Minneapolis or MOA.

I went to Germany in high school. In college I spent a semester in Ireland and did some traveling around Europe.

I lived in an international dorm for a year in college, and it was the best year of my life. Every room had one american and one international student. I made friends with people from all over the world. My international friends shared their delicious food and their wonderful culture. My mind was opened!

That summer I visited my roommate in Malaysia and my girlfriend in Viet Nam. Their families made me feel at home in a foreign country, and I want to return that kindness.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I like when things can be explained by science, but making a friendship connection with a total stranger has a magical feeling!

Interests

Meeting people from different cultures helps me see life from different perspectives. Traveling feels like being a child all over again, because there are so many new experiences.

• culture
• photography
• dining
• technology
• traveling
• socializing
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Michael Manring gets sounds out of a bass guitar that you could never even imagine. www.manthing.com

John Popper of Blues Traveler plays the harmonica the way Jimi Hendrix plays the electric guitar. I spent my high school years listening to Blues Traveler and driving fast!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I think these stories are best exchanged over a beverage of your choice. :-)

Teach, Learn, Share

To me, the best part about traveling is meeting local people who can give an inside look at their culture.

If you're viewing a country through the tinted windows of a tour bus, you're wasting your time (and your money)!

Get away from the tourist traps and out onto the streets! Make friends with the locals and experience the culture from the inside out--that's traveling!

The most amazing experiences only happen if you're comfortable enough to travel on your own.

Of course sometimes it can be smart (and fun) to have one travel buddy--especially if you can't speak the native language. But traveling with two or more friends inevitably encloses you in a bubble of familiarity, and worse--the locals will be too intimidated to approach you.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Gemütlichkeit!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gem%C3%BCtlichkeit

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ireland, United States

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