Hey, hi! It's Keidaï (yes, that rhymes!)

"Those who travel but do not meet other people have not traveled; they have only simply moved."

I love understanding a place through the eyes and spaces of the local people. I've loved the reminders and surprises I found in how beautifully similar and/or different I am to everyone I meet.

My writing: https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/opinion/community-voices/violence-mass-shooting-brooklyn-baltimore-helplessness-MYQDIIIYCJCBLG3KO5BOCA6QEU/

https://www.jhunewsletter.com/staff/keidai-lee

https://sites.google.com/view/dear-first-year-me/dear-sophomore-me/in-your-own-time?authuser=0

My instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kade.ie/

My videos: https://www.youtube.com/@heyhiitskeidai8467

In all the work I do, I'm constantly seeking to understand, celebrate, and mourn the compromises different people make in order to stay alive - if they are able to and/or choose to.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It brings me joy to witness and contribute to the making of people who are their best selves, because of AND regardless of their environments and cultures. It's my life mission to combat apathy with compassionate nuanced narratives.

As a result, I also love going to museums, visiting local restaurants, listening to local stories, and applying my philosophy studies to the world around me. After having lived abroad for long periods of time in France, Taiwan, and visiting neighboring countries, I am excited to exchange lessons about my and others' unique corners of the universe. I hope to visit your city/town soon!

Interests

• writing
• cooking
• board games
• reading
• music
• sports
• languages
• film

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm currently mainly doing the three following things:

1) Teaching the Mandarin Chinese language through stories about the last Mandarin-speaking democracy in the world: Taiwan. By giving a voice to the unrecognized status of Taiwan and the often overlooked Taiwanese diaspora and Asian-Americans in the United States, I hope to remind the world that finding a sense of confidence, belonging, and acceptance runs beyond the neat lines we draw around ourselves on maps.

2) Translating and interpreting for French speaking asylum-seekers (mainly from Central and Western Africa) and translating not only their stories, but also being a cultural broker for said and unsaid expectations.

3) Learning about the science and engineering of sound to hopefully apply it one day to the music I make! Here's a brief video of me playing the piano and singing:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOWLVGHA-t0/

And here's me singing in Spanish and playing the guitar :D
https://www.instagram.com/p/BM-sy3-AtY-/

What I Can Share with Hosts

– We can cook together! Ever have Taiwanese-French-Chinese-Italian-Japanese-Greek-Vietnamese-American fusion food before?? I'm your guy! Lol

– We can also play music together: I love signing and playing the piano and drums!

– I also know a little salsa, tango, and hip hop popping :D

– And of course, I'd be more than happy to do a language exchange!

– I'm regularly thinking about why people do what they do. I'm always eager to learn more, but also to share my inisghts... and help you realize your own motivations (that you might have even been unaware of!)

– I'm also really good at taking care of kids – and helping both them and you think about your deeper life purpose.

– Last but not least, I'm always happy to do some chores around the house.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, North Korea, Palestine, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Taiwan, United States