✨Hi! I’m Hanghang, a graduate student in Counselor Education at The Ohio State University.

🗓 A Glimpse into My Journey

2009–2013: Bachelor's in Economics, Sun Yat-sen University

2013–2014: Volunteer teacher in Linzhi County, Tibet – where I witnessed both hardship and resilience

2014–2017: Master’s in Finance – pursuing success while questioning my path

2015–2016: W.T. Chan Fellow at UC Berkeley – discovering a broader world of service and self-discovery

2017–2019: Finance job – issuing bonds while feeling burned out and unfulfilled

2020–2023: Philosophical practitioner – This experience taught me how to balance emotion and rationality, and deepened my understanding of healing and personal growth

2024–Now: Graduate student in Counselor Education at OSU – finally aligning my life with my heart and purpose

I was born and raised in China and earned both my bachelor’s and first master’s degrees in Economics from Sun Yat-sen University. In 2015, I became a W.T. Chan Fellow at UC Berkeley, where I explored the theme of “education for service” and experienced the power of community-based learning. That same year, I registered on Couchsurfing and had my first stay with a host while visiting Stanford.

After returning to China, I worked in finance, issuing corporate bonds at a securities company. Outwardly, I was following the traditional path, but inwardly, I felt disconnected from myself, from others, and from a life that felt meaningful. That discomfort led me to ask deeper questions about purpose, identity, and healing.

Eventually, I began working with a group of French philosophical practitioners, learning their methods of reflective inquiry and helping people examine their lives when they felt stuck. Through that work, I came to understand how many adult struggles, including my own, are rooted in unresolved childhood experiences and internalized beliefs.

I believe it truly takes a village to raise a child, and also to help people heal and grow. I hope to become one of the reliable, caring adults in that village. As I continue my journey to become a school counselor, I want to be someone that young people, and even adults, can turn to when they feel lost, misunderstood, or overwhelmed. I dream of helping build communities where people are not just surviving, but growing, where they feel seen, supported, and empowered to explore who they truly are. Whether through career development, mental health support, or simply being present, I want to create spaces where authenticity can flourish and where each person feels valued and understood. My goal is to help people grow with clarity, confidence, and self-awareness, in a way that is holistic, compassionate, and grounded in genuine connection.

To me, it takes a village not just to raise a child, but to help each of us heal and become whole.

🌱 What I’ve Learned
My life hasn’t followed a straight line. Like many Asians, I initially followed what society expected of me—pursuing prestigious degrees and stable jobs while silencing my inner voice. Beneath the surface, I carried deep emotional wounds from childhood: loneliness, confusion, and self-doubt shaped by adverse childhood experiences.

In my late 20s, with the support of a compassionate friend and through deep philosophical reflection, I began to confront those hidden parts of myself and gradually liberated myself from limiting cultural narratives. Later, I was diagnosed with ADHD, which helped explain many of my lifelong struggles and allowed me to approach myself with greater compassion and understanding.

Now, in my 30s, I feel more grounded, open, and alive, motivated to help build the kind of community and society I long to live in. I no longer seek to climb the highest rungs of the social ladder. Instead, I want to help create a world that is organic, connected, and humane—a world where people are not ranked, but truly seen, heard, and respected.

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is about “I and Thou” relationships, where we see each other as whole human beings. It’s my way of voting for the kind of world I want to live in: one built on trust, empathy, openness, and spontaneous connection.
Couchsurfing offers a unique opportunity to experience a place from within, not just from the outside. It helps me revisit my assumptions about the world and deepens my appreciation for different cultures, values, and ways of living.

These days, I mostly travel for professional development conferences related to my field in counseling and education, including: The National Career Development Association (NCDA), The American School Counselor Association (ASCA), The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), and other opportunities.

I try to combine these trips with opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the world through local perspectives, which I find far more meaningful than traditional tourism. I used to travel more for sights and food, but now I’m drawn to the “human library” of travel: meeting people, hearing their stories, and understanding life through their lived experiences. That’s where the real magic of travel lies for me.

Currently, since I’m still transitioning and not fully settled, I’m unable to host. But one day, when I have my own space and stability, I hope to give back and welcome others with the same openness that I’ve received.

兴趣

I'm deeply interested in understanding the human condition: how people make meaning out of pain, find healing, and grow through life’s complexity. I love exploring themes of identity, memory, freedom, and transformation, both in real life and through storytelling.

Lately, I’ve become interested in how career development theory and practice can be used to help people tap into their true passions and build lives that feel authentic and meaningful. Career isn’t just about making a living; it’s about discovering who we are and how we want to contribute to the world. I’m drawn to approaches that integrate purpose, self-awareness, and possibility, and I hope to use these tools to inspire others to pursue paths that align with their values, energy, and dreams.

One of my favorite shows is Westworld. To me, it’s a profound exploration of what makes us human. The line that resonates with me most is: “Real pain is the cornerstone of consciousness.” (真实的痛苦铸就人性) . It reminds me that our wounds often awaken us and bring depth and direction to our lives.

Another quote I live by is: “Lovers outwork workers.” This speaks to my belief that passion is more sustainable than pressure, and that when we love what we do, we create more, endure more, and inspire more. I feel fulfilled and energized by life, and I hope to instill this passionate mindset into the communities I serve, helping others discover meaning and purpose on their terms.

I’m passionate about building community spaces where people feel safe to be their authentic selves. I enjoy deep conversations about philosophy, psychology, counseling, and education, and I’m always curious about how people live and think across cultures. I seek what I call the “human library”—real people, real stories, and real connection.

I also believe in the power of humor to shift perspective. Sometimes, laughter is its own kind of healing. And yes, I play pickleball! It’s been a fun and grounding way to build community with my cohort in grad school, especially as an international student adjusting to a new life at a sports-loving university. Whether it's on the court or in conversation, I cherish the small moments that bring us closer and remind us we're not alone.

• cats
• dogs
• culture
• education
• yoga
• reading
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• surfing
• swimming
• philosophy
• psychology
• volunteering
• documentary
• counseling
• conversations
• stand-up comedy
• non-fiction
• pickleball

音乐、电影和书籍

I enjoy reading a variety of books, including "Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter" by Simone de Beauvoir. I also appreciate the works of authors such as Karen Horney, William Somerset Maugham, Erich Fromm, and Bertrand Russell. My reading interests span genres like non-fiction on psychology, society, and history.

In terms of music, I listen to a diverse range of genres. I enjoy the works of Yo-Yo Ma and Ryuichi Sakamoto, as well as world music, meditation music, spiritual music, and classical music.

When it comes to movies, I have a particular fondness for historical films, dramas, and comedies. I am especially a fan of films by Aamir Khan, whose work I find both entertaining and thought-provoking.

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

I started a new life from scratch in the U.S. and have been gradually working toward my goals with resilience, reflection, and heart.

I realized how little material I needed to live and how greedy I used to be. I helped my mom compartmentalize and organize all the clutter she had accumulated over the years, allowing her to transition to a life without hoarding.

I reconciled with my past negative experiences and pursued my passion, never giving up despite others' expectations of how I should live. I've always been exploring and striving to bring out the best version of myself, eventually being admitted to graduate school after several years of working.

During my gap year as a volunteer teacher in Tibet, I raised approximately $ 50,000 for 40 underprivileged students.

教，学，和分享

If we connect through Couchsurfing, I will always try to support you in any way I can. Often, those who open their homes are already strong, generous people, and I learn so much just by being with them. But sometimes, I’ve also met hosts who were going through a rough patch or needed a listening ear. In those moments, if there’s something I can offer —whether it’s emotional support, practical help, or just a grounding presence —I’m happy to give it.

Couchsurfing reminds me that we’re all part of a bigger human story. I’m here to learn, to give, and to grow—one encounter at a time.

我可以与沙发主分享些什么

✨ Meaningful Connection
-Open-minded conversations and discussions
-A listening ear and emotional support — sometimes, presence is the best gift
-Philosophical consultation. If you're feeling stuck or reflective, I can offer space and questions to help explore -your thoughts more deeply
-Strategies for managing ADHD and creating supportive routines
-Cleaning, decluttering, and structure-building support if helpful

🍲 Everyday Presence
-Joy in simple things like walking pets, cleaning, nature walks, and quiet moments of connection
-Cooking meals or sharing tea/snacks, if time allows
-Games (pickleball or spontaneous fun!)

🌍 Culture
-Insights into Chinese culture, education, social dynamics, and life beyond the tourist lens

我游览过的国家

Austria, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Seychelles, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

我居住过的国家

China, France, United States