Hello, my name is John Piserchio. I am 22 years old and I am from Pennsylvania, United States living here in New Zealand on a twelve month working holiday visa. I recently graduated about a year ago now, May 2014, with a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry. At University I was a collegiate Track & Field athlete competing in the pole-vault and ranking as one of the top pole-vaulters in the state of Pennsylvania several times at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Championship competition. Currently I am spending my days studying for my Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) that I will be taking May 22nd 2015 in Sydney (unfortunately NZ does not offer the MCAT). I am a very physically active person, I love to travel, and I believe each day is a new opportunity to learn something new or simply continue growing as an individual.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I wont beat around the bush, I am on Couchsurfing because my savings are slowly dwindling and I cannot continue paying rent. I was working when I first relocated to New Zealand as a sales consultant for a renewable energy company based in Auckland. The job was an amazing opportunity, a reason to travel almost half way around the world to continue working on my ability to communicate interpersonally and gain experience not only in my working environment but via a culture change. It was the highest paying job I have had to this date, however I was not happy with my day to day lifestyle with this occupation. My passion and desire lie in the field of science and healthcare, selling solar panels and wind turbines (even though there were major incentives) was just not as fulfilling as I would have hoped. I followed my feelings and left the sales consultant position in hope to find a job more orientated towards my skills and abilities. I have experience in sales however it is not the field I plan on growing in long-term. Unfortunately my efforts at getting a more career-orientated job has been unsuccessful. With my exam date slightly over two months away I aim now to focus all my energy towards studying, for this exam can dictate the rest of my life. I am searching for a part time job but relieving myself of weekly rent is something that will make a major difference in the amount of studying I can accomplish over the next 9 weeks ultimately giving myself the opportunity to get the best MCAT score I can achieve. I have already paid for my flight to Sydney to take my MCAT at the end of May and I will follow through with my decisions one way or another.

Interests

• culture
• environment
• athlete
• traveling
• track and field
• science