I am an exchange student currently studying at Universität Bielefeld in Germany, visiting from Tucson, AZ, United States! I will be staying in Bielefeld for one semester and hope to visit as many nearby cities and countries as possible!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

This exchange semester is the first time I have ever been outside of the United States, and it may be my only chance to see Europe for many more years. I hope to use Couchsurfing to meet people from all over and have great places to stay during what I hope will be many travels! :)

Interests

I have so many different interests that I never know what to say...

I love travel, music, gluten-free food, spending time with friends, singing (I've been singing in choir for about 11 years), art (making it and looking at it), learning languages, music festivals, photography, math, video games, doing things I've never done before...

The list goes on.

• arts
• singing
• photography
• music festivals
• festivals
• causes
• dining
• video games
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• languages
• mathematics
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

I love any and all sorts of music, but EDM is my favorite.

I'm not big on movies and TV--I can't sit down and watch something for that long :p

I like adventure/dystopian/counterculture sorts of books. Think Fear and Loathing.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The hardest thing I've ever had to deal with--I was diagnosed almost two years ago with Celiac disease.

(For the unfamiliar: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease where eating gluten causes my immune system to attack the lining of my small intestine, which leads to me being unable to absorb nutrients and become malnourished, even if I eat very minute, invisible amounts of gluten.)

Two years ago, I was sick Every. Single. Day. I lost tons of weight, I stopped being able to go to my classes and work, I stopped being able to see friends. I was not myself. And I was around people who didn't understand how careful I needed to be about my condition, and who didn't support me in my fight against it. I was sick and depressed and completely isolated.

But I picked myself up. I learned how to manage my condition. I surrounded myself with the most loving, amazing, friends and family, who were even more careful about my food than I was. I learned how to assert my needs when it comes to food.

I learned how to stand up for myself. I didn't give up on my dreams of traveling and seeing the world just because I have a health concern that makes those things more difficult. And I am stronger for it.

Celiac disease has no cure--and I still get sick from time to time. It's almost unavoidable. But as far as I am concerned, I have beat it! I took control of my own health, in a fight against my own body. And that is amazing to me.

With that said--I cannot share meals with hosts, even if prepared gluten-free due to the risk of cross-contamination. I may ask for some space in your refrigerator, depending on the length of my stay, for my own food. I will take care of my eating needs entirely on my own. I appreciate your respect and understanding as a host about my medical condition!!

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach me something you're passionate about! What makes your heart swell and your face light up with joy? Science? Music? Underwater basket weaving?

I love learning languages too--If you speak English, German or Spanish I'd love to practice with you, if you speak something else, I'd love to learn!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share a new perspective and some interesting conversation! I'm a big talker and a big listener both. I'll share time with you--I'm generally up for almost anything.

I'll share laughs, smiles, new knowledge, new experiences!

Countries I’ve Visited

Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, United States