I have grown up in the intersection of identities, so I have learned to enjoy exploring identities, experiences, and mindsets. My mother is from Caracas, Venezuela, while my father is from Laurel, Mississippi, USA. My childhood in Charlotte was a fluid and colorful mix of the two cultures, as I grew up learning both sides to a story. Now I also enjoy being between the humanities and engineering, in hopes to enter the political field and manage the integration of new technologies in the 4th industrial revolution.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I really enjoy meeting people and exploring new places, so this was the perfect combination! Not to say that saving money wasn't on my mind either, haha.
It's one thing to go to a city and visit the tourist spots, and it's another to get to know someone who is a member of the city's community. My best experiences traveling have been staying with hosts, as you get to meet new people and experience new things that would be excluded from a hotel stay and tourist map.
I also hope to get to know people in the Aachen area while I am here doing research on robotics, and then I hope to continue with couch surfing when I return to the US.

Interests

• lgbt rights
• politics
• technology
• anime
• reading
• painting
• drawing
• coding
• music
• hiking
• tennis
• engineering
• entrepreneurship
• nature
• social justice
• craft beer
• exploring new places
• research
• robotics
• trying new foods
• international politics
• breweries
• biomimicry
• global health
• venezuela
• dogs and cats

Music, Movies, and Books

I grew up listening to Cat Empire, Foo Fighters, and The B-52's in the car with my dad. As a child, my favorite song was the Wine Song by Cat Empire, since I thought it sounded dramatic and fun. My dad loaded his favorite songs onto my ipod nano, so I had a mix of 80's classics and Taylor Swift playing in my ears constantly. Now, I listen to all kinds of music, including bachata, Studio Ghibli soundtracks, musicals, lofi, international music, and electronic music.

I love Studio Ghibli movies, especially When Marnie Was There. I was raised watching Master of Disguise with my family, so I have to like the movie, even if it has 1% approval on Rotten Tomatoes.
I also enjoy anime shows, especially Fullmetal Alchemist, From the New World, Akatsuki no Yona, and FLCL. I also enjoy watching shows like Jessica Jones, Black Mirror, and Steven Universe.

Kurt Vonnegut books are fantastic. I also really like Song of Achilles, Woman Warrior, and Harry Potter.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have tried to build a cheaper version of the "gene gun" out of cheap parts which in theory would shoot tungsten particles coated with DNA into cells. The cells take in this DNA, and express the DNA. I made a lot of progress and got to have my project showcased which was exciting! The goal was to make a cheaper version of the existing Helios gene gun so that high schools could use them for demonstrations in class.

Teach, Learn, Share

To take care of a plant, over-watering is quite possible! The leaves tend to turn more yellow and wilt when over-watered. This is all I can contribute to plant-care as I am still learning how to keep any plant alive :)

To make an arepa, combine water with Harina P.A.N., form patties from the mix, bake them, and then put ham and cheese inside, or perhaps avocado with picadillo, or whatever your heart desires. I highly recommend arepas, 10/10.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I value respect and cleanliness, so I will not leave messes, I will not arrive late at night, I will be quiet if necessary (people sleeping, working, etc...), and I truly wish to meet and get to know people. I also understand if someone is willing to offer a couch but doesn't want the social aspect of sharing the couch, and am fine with that too!

In addition, I can fix devices and anything broken if given time and snacks (for motivation). I am also more than willing to help cook anything. I could also draw portraits if desired (it could help me practice). I can also explain concepts in the biological sciences and current technologies/engineering to the best of my ability. I can also offer discussion on politics within the US and Venezuela.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Panama, Puerto Rico, Venezuela

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, United States