About me? Oh dear... Well, I'm raised in the Midwest, educated in the NorthEast, and now am trying to learn about the rest of the United States. I'm pretty quiet at first and second glance, but really, I'm easy-going and take things as they come. If I am not talking to someone, I need to listen to music (which means I spend a lot of time with headphones on, so if you have been yelling my name down the street for five minutes...sorry...) I like learning about cities and urban policy, politically I'm an independent voter, and socially... I like to surround myself with people who know and are passionate about at least one thing. I don't have Facebook (I'm a rebel like that), but I use Pinterest! @jaishras

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love travelling, especially road trips. When asked in an interview, road trips are my hobby. Seeing new things and places helps put my life at home in perspective, and motivates me to try new disciplines, or pursue new heights professionally.

I've used AirBnb and my own friend group mostly, but I'm trying this thing where I'm not shy, and actually talk to people and make friends. Couchsurfing looks like a way to learn how to do that. So if I'm SUPER awkward at first... I'm really sorry! I do want to be friends!

Interests

I'm trying to go to school and study urban policy and affairs, especially migration and the newcomer experience. When travelling, I tend to go for the culture/history events, like museums. My favorite type of museums are military museums, because you see the development of both technology and fashion through the ages.

I'm learning pottery now, how to throw on the wheel. I'm trying to get into yoga, but I've only been doing it for two months and am not quite stretchy enough yet to really enjoy it. I really like cooking- it's not relaxing, per say, but when I cook something new I feel like I've learned a new skill, or leveled up.

• culture
• fashion
• cooking
• yoga
• technology
• traveling
• pottery
• music
• biology
• history
• mathematics
• science
• road trips

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Usually to answer this question, I show people my Spotify playlist. I'm a little all over the place, but generally, Spring is Top 40, Summer is Top 40 and reggaeton, Fall is Indie/Alternative and Singer/Songwriter and Winter is rap and house/electronica. Although right now I'm really into Indie Rock, Elle King and such. (I'm on Spotify! @jaishras)

Movies: Guys, I'm sorry. I really don't watch movies unless someone makes me. I still haven't seen Despicable Me; that's how bad I am.

Books: Hmmmm the last book I read was a book of Taoist meditations. The library books I am currently reading are the NYTimes "Smarter By Sunday", "Explore Everything: Place-Hacking the City", and Lonely Planet's "Southwest USA's Best Trips"

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

This is too big of a question to ask a 24-year-old.

I guess the most amazing thing I've done was pass organismal biology in college. I took it second semester senior year to complete my science requirement, and I crawled out of that class.

OH. I also got a tattoo.

What I Can Share with Hosts

When I visited my friend in Malaysia, her friends had a lot of fun asking me for shoulder massages and quizzing me with mental math problems.

Preferably, I would share things like cooking a meal. But I guess whatever works?

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, China, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Switzerland, United States