Hola! I was born and raised in Cusco, Peru, and moved to the U.S. to pursue my education. I completed my undergraduate degree in Elmira, NY—a small town in upstate New York—and recently earned my Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

I’ve been living in Boston for over two years, working as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Cardiology Department at Massachusetts General Hospital.

I thrive on spontaneity and curiosity—whether exploring the intersections of science and history or swapping stories and advice with friends old and new. To me, travel is about connection, and I stand by my motto: “Friendship never ends.”

This is why, if possible, I can teach how to cook some Peruvian delicacies, e.g., Lomo Saltado, Arroz con Pollo. In my short but meaningful "free" time, I enjoy practicing Halterofilia (Olympic Weightlifting), hot yoga (quite hard), and I like to play basketball.

PHILOSOPHY

Listen deeply. Empathize fiercely. Eat joyfully. Stay relentlessly happy.

I love immersing myself in different cultures, exploring diverse perspectives on life, and learning from the unique backgrounds of others. My passions include living simply, getting lost in a good book, dancing salsa and bachata, staying active through regular workouts, savoring great food, holistic growth, and conversations that stretch my worldview. Life’s a wild ride, and I’m all in!

Also, check out my YouTube channel where I share powerful stories about migrants' experiences in the U.S.!
www.youtube.com/@Chaskis_Journey

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(Description below only applied when I was in Elmira, NY)
My name is Yhon, and I was born and raised in Cusco city, Peru. I'm an international student and I majored in Biology with a Pre-med concentration at Elmira College in the U.S. I am a New York State-certified firefighter and have volunteered at the Elmira Heights Fire Department for over four years (I can give you a tour of the Fire Department). Also, I was able to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and I worked in an ambulance company in Sayre, PA. I lived in Elmira (close to downtown), where there is not a lot to do, but I can show you a few interesting things. Giving you a tour of my school, showing you Mark Twain's grave, studies, and so on. If you end up staying with me either on a Wednesday or during the second Saturday of the month, I can take you to Ithaca, where I can show you and teach you 'Salsa Dancing' or just go up there and eat in nice restaurants. Because Elmira is small, there are not many international cuisines, and I love trying new cuisines from everywhere in the world, or I would say I love food.
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Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING
Well I have hosted mostly family members. I realized that you will definitely have a better experience with people who understood the simplicity of traveling. I'm a very laid back host and guest as well. I really enjoy showing my culture to people and the real life in it. I like to go out with hosts and guests around the city or to party if they have time but can also be an independent explorer if they don't!

Interests

I'm a pretty active guy - practicing Halterofilia, playing basketball; hot Yoga, and mountaineering or anything outdoorsy activity I do not mind where, mountain biking my favorite.
Other interests: Salsa dancing , reading, cooking, eating, running, hiking, beach lounging, paint ball.

• culture
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• running
• working out
• nightlife
• partying
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• sports
• basketball
• biology
• history
• languages
• science
• language exchange
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Not a preference genre but I definitely like rock and latino music.
Movies: Any science fiction movies, I also like action movies and any movie related to cars in general.
Books: I have to be honest, I am not a book addict BUT I really like reading about technology and science topics for sure.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

1) Choquekirao Trek, Cusco, Peru.
2) Won twice an eating contest at Texas Road House, Horseheads, NY.
3) 400 feet Bungee Jumping, the highest in South America, Cusco, Peru.
4) Reach the South Summit of Huascarán (Peru's highest peak 6768 m.s.n.m - 22205 ft )(Point of Earth with the Lowest (gravitational acceleration) gravity, 9.7639 m/S2)
5) I am an exempt volunteer firefighter at the Emira Heights Fire Department in Elmira Heights, NY.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm most interested in language exchange; cultural exchange. If you speak English, French or want to learn Spanish I will probably prefer to converse in those languages as I am always looking for an excuse to work on them. I also can teach some Salsa/Bachata/Reggaeton moves if there is any club in town for Latino dance . Last but not least show you how to cook one of the Peruvian delicacies 'Lomo Saltado'.

What I Can Share with Hosts

As an international student and commuter living near downtown, I’ve gotten to know Boston inside and out—and I’d love to show you around! The city has endless things to do, from exploring hidden gems to dancing the night away at vibrant Latino clubs. Trust me, we’ll have an unforgettable time!

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Peru, United States