CURRENT MISSION

Getting my Master's in Social Work, focusing on social and economic development.
Rehabbing my house in South City, off Cherokee Street.

ABOUT ME

24 year old from the middle of the U.S. Grew up outside Chicago. Went to college in St. Louis and recently graduated. Did some traveling, then tried to find a job in the urban east coast, and landed a job on the west coast, but, ultimately, St. Louis called me back. Currently studying for my master's in social work, focusing on social and economic development.
My personality: I'm a little introverted. I can be quiet at first but I open up after getting to know people.

PHILOSOPHY

A bit idealistic, with some moments of hopelessness thrown in. I enjoy direct, concrete experience and interaction, but still love the abstract and philosophical - both are necessary and interact with each other. I believe that mindset, constant action, and full dedication is important for positive change, and that if a community opens up to people and ideas then change can truly happen.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Hoping to get involved in the St. Louis CS community.

Couchsurfed 8 times in Europe, and all were great experiences. I will be getting a place of my own in February, and will be looking forward to hosting new people!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couchsurfed in Belfast and last-minute in Glasgow, then in Newcastle, Hexham, Amsterdam, the Hague... Traveling would not have been the same without those great experiences.
Haven't hosted yet - looking forward to doing so

Interests

Music, writing, literature, psychology, sociology, urban history, the built environment, public art, community development, food and nutrition, public policy

• arts
• writing
• literature
• environment
• dining
• cooking
• baking
• traveling
• music
• history
• psychology
• public policy
• social work
• sociology
• last minute travel

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Infinite Jest, The Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man, Lolita, Pedro Paramo, Under the Volcano, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, Breakfast of Champions. I also read a lot of urban history.
Films: Synecdoche, New York; Magnolia; Upstream Color; Donnie Darko; Eyes Wide Shut; Blue Velvet. Documentaries: The Interrupters, Eyes on the Prize.
Music: Sigur Ros, Isis, Yes, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Mars Volta, Grails, This Will Destroy You

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'm rehabbing a house... pretty much by myself. I don't know if that's amazing or just masochistic.

Teach, Learn, Share

Hmm... Can cook and bake (especially gluten free baking). Can help with some simple home repairs and maintenance (10+ years experience). I have lots of music, so we could talk music and I can share some!

Interested in brushing up on my German (I'm a bit self-conscious about my lack of ability).

Would love to talk cities, history, sociology, community development, especially in different places and cultures.

Very interested in learning to cook - I'd love to hear about others' local cuisine.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Knowledge - about economic development and housing, gluten-free foods and cooking, St. Louis...
Hopefully my time, but I'm really busy.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States