Kirsten Salonga's Photo

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  • 44% response rate
  • Last login 9 days ago

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Overview

  • 59 references 42 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English; learning Spanish
  • 29, Female
  • Member since 2016
  • Science Teacher
  • University of Tennessee
  • From Nashville, TN, USA
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

Hola!
I am a high school science teacher for students whose English is their second language (ESL) just outside of Washington, D.C., and I graduated from the University of Tennessee with a major in Biology (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) and a minor in Secondary Education!
I speak Spanish decently (enough to live in Colombia and travel on my own comfortably in different countries), and I am very ambitious, driven, and spontaneous. I believe that every day is an opportunity to learn something new, and that while I have already had many fantastic experiences in many countries, the world has SO much more to offer.
One of my life mottos is "Do everything possible, to do everything possible." I know I can't do everything, but I can try.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am a firm believer in getting to know locals in places you visit. You learn more, get a better understanding of the culture, and have more fun!
I also love couch surfing because it is a place where those who love to explore can connect with one another and exchange stories, all for the sake of adventure!

Interests

I love traveling, exercising (running, rock climbing, anything), cooking (vegetarian), visual art (I paint, draw, and sculpt), animals, trying new things, and learning about different countries! I have also been a model a few times, run 1 marathon and 4 half marathons, and I've interned at a wildlife rehabilitation center, so my interests are really endless.

  • animals
  • arts
  • culture
  • education
  • cooking
  • exercise
  • running
  • traveling
  • hiking
  • kayaking
  • bungee jumping
  • rock climbing
  • biology
  • teaching
  • science
  • outdoors
  • mojitos

Music, Movies, and Books

Any classic rock (music), 1984 (book), The Prestige (movie)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was a Fulbright Scholar teaching English at Universidad Nacional in Bogota, Colombia!
I helped to clear land of invasive species and plant endemic species in the Galapagos Islands!
I also studied Intensive Spanish Language in Santander, Spain, for five weeks, solo-backpacked through Eastern Europe, Colombia, and Southeast Asia!
I backpacked the Salkantay Trek to Macchu Pichu without a guide, and I tore my ACL bouldering and had reconstructive surgery in 2019 but am back climbing (haha)

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm an adrenaline junkie, so any type of rock climbing, hiking, whitewater kayaking, bungee jumping, volcano boarding...anything like this is my favorite.
I can teach you a few phrases in Italian, MANY things in Spanish, and everything in English! I also have much experience backpacking in Latin American countries, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia, so I can help you with that!
I would love to learn how to make foods from your home country! :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

A plethora of interesting stories and experiences, some great travel advice, and some great American snacks!
I live 15 minutes away from Washington, D.C., so I can connect you with friends if you want to visit the city!
I will also likely take you rock climbing if you're up for it!
I also have been told that I have a bubbly, energetic, exciting personality that will hopefully uplift anyone :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Colombia, United States

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