I consider myself a global citizen. I was born and raised in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, I am ethnically Persian, and my nationality is Indian. I've lived in Kenya and Seychelles for 6 months each and have been studying medicine in Chicago, U.S.A. for 4 years. I have travelled to a total of 23 countries, and now Japan will be my 24th!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I don't want the sterile hotel experience. I want to stay in an area where I meet real people who have a local perspective on the area that they live in. I don't want the lonely cultural homogenized experience of staying in a tourist area. When i travel, i like to experience the culture like the locals do. I want to do things with the locals, eat with the locals, and enjoy my time with them too.

Interests

I like to consider myself like a husky -- i love being outdoors. My hobbies are climbing, hiking, running, and pretty much any form of physical activity. I love animals and own a pet snake, dog, tortoise, African Grey parrot, and 9 love birds.

• animals
• pets
• dogs
• birds
• culture
• running
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• backpacking
• rock climbing
• medicine

Music, Movies, and Books

I love all kinds of music. People say that I have an odd taste in movies. I believe all forms of art should be enriching and have some meaning. It should make you think, feel, or even remember something you otherwise wouldn't have. I am reading a book called "The secret" right now, and I also recently bought an ebook so I can pass the time on trains and planes.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Recently went backpacking around Chicago and New York with my cousin. We had no itinerary and no plans. Previously in my earlier vacations, we made sure to have a set list of things to do on each date (it was very orderly). Just having the freedom to enjoy the experience without knowing where the next moment was coming from was very liberating. It lifted my spirits and gave me a fresh outlook for a long time.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: I love teaching people how to be determined in order to get what would truly make them happy.

Share: All of my crazy escapades throughout my life.

Learn: I would love to learn about your life and your culture.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Obviously I would love to have some small talk with my hosts. I love hearing about where people are from and where they are in their life right now. I don't like to feel useless or lazy, so expect me to insist on helping with chores or anything else (dishes, yard work, buying groceries). I would also love to treat my host to a movie or dinner!