你好！Hello! Salut! I'm Forrest and I can run fast. Born and raised in Chongqing, China, I've embraced this diverse world since university days, when I volunteered in helping overseas students settle down and in a LGBTQ plus centre. After graduation, I taught Mandarin Chinese for 2 years in Sydney Australia where I learned to make decisions for myself. Then my story with Africa began in 2019 when I moved to Dakar Senegal as a teacher again. The simplicity, authenticity and hospitality of African people and the land really moved me so I stayed for 4 more years.
I really hope in the future when we introduce ourselves, we will use we are all habitants of this planet instead of saying the names of our countries.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm here because I'd like to experience what it is like to live in a place, not as a tourist but as a local.
I'm here also because I'd like to share what my long traveling experiences have taught me about this world and the people.
I'm here because I am passionate about cultures and would like to explore together.

Interests

• swimming
• languages
• flute
• birdwatching
• african dance

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite music: music by Amy Winehouse

Movie: Three idiots

Book: Born a Crime

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Solo traveling to 10 countries in Africa: Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroun, Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Mali, and Guinea for about 10 months to explore mainly dances and music.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd like to share ideas about this world, whether about how people live, how trees grow or how birds sing.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My 5+ in-depth experience working in Senegal and Guinea and traveling to 8 other countries'
My understanding of African traditional dances, especially those in West Africa.
Tips of learning languages.

Countries I’ve Visited

Benin, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mali, Rwanda, Thailand, Uganda

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, China, Guinea, Senegal