I'm a student at the University of Michigan currently studying abroad in France! I'm very much a people person and I love to explore new places and cultures. I'm a musician and I play guitar, write music, and sing. You can check out my music on bandcamp: https://gabriellekirsch.bandcamp.com/releases

I'm studying sociology, French, and Judaic Studies. Although I'm not sure what I want to do in a long-term "career" sense, I'm very much passionate and excited about the work I'm currently doing. I'm in Paris this summer immersing myself in the LGBTQ Jewish community in order to do a cultural analysis for my thesis project. I'm ending my stay in Europe at the end of July and will be returning home to Michigan.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

1. I have friends who have couchsurfed and have had very very positive experiences.

2. I'm always up for meeting new people and making connections. I'm pretty good at keeping in touch!

Interests

Food, listening to music, puzzles, playing music, going to concerts, zumba, activism, and going to museums.

I really really like puzzles.

• dogs
• singing
• concerts
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• zumba
• puzzles
• music
• guitar
• swimming
• teaching
• engineering
• sociology

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Ben Howard, Sia, Ari Hest, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Brandi Carlile, Little Big Town, Orla Gartland, The Staves,

Movies: Juno, Slumdog Millionaire, Crazy Stupid Love, (500) Days of Summer, Easy A, Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind, Amélie

Books: No one belongs here more than you (Miranda July). Harry Potter (all), A Moveable Feast.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I released an EP with a bunch of friends from my university! It was coincidence because I met a bunch of music engineering students after playing at an open mic -- they invited me to play for their classes so that they could practice. The product after a semester was a really cool, collaborative album!

Other cool things I can think of:
-- LGBT prides in Detroit, Boston, NYC, Tel Aviv, and Paris
-- Dancing with orthodox Jewish women in Tsfat (ask me about this story if you're interested, it's really incredible)
-- Swimming with Sharks
-- Learning to speak fluently (mostly) French
-- Owning Samoyed Dogs
-- Singing the national anthem at my graduation (among 3,000 people -- also have a video of this if you dare to watch it).

Teach, Learn, Share

I believe that being a friend, a teacher, and a learner all go hand in hand.

One of the things that challenge me most is when my life isn't structured. Growing up in the United States with public school, I think I (and other americans) am socialized to expect structure as if it's just a normal and natural part of life. Although I think that human beings are habit-forming creatures, I do also believe that structure does not inherently exist. This are just my current musings.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I've learned how to be decently funny in French! I'm kidding - I would love to share meals and help with cooking. I'm also a bit of a dog whisperer, so if you have a dog we might become good friends. Good conversations and good meals!

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Dominican Republic, England, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Israel, United States