Hello!

My name is Mai and I’m a solo female traveler. I enjoy adrenaline activities, exploring the outdoors, and trying new things.

**I am new on cs for this trip I’m currently on so I haven’t been able to host**

I am traveling throughout Europe starting in early May until September. I enjoy sightseeing, trying new foods, going to markets, local events, learning about local life and new cultures.

💃🏻 My goal is to Latin dance in every country and continue my guitar lessons from my hosts. 😂 I have been fortunate to start learning the guitar/ukulele from my hosts and think it’s been funny to go to different countries and learn the guitar.

Quick facts about me:
- ENFP through and through
- really into personal growth and confronting fear
- I feel like I’ve lived two completely different lives (I’ve transformed my life both physically, spiritually, and mentally…happy to share my personal transformation journey in person)
- licensed skydiver
- a bit silly and clumsy at times
- people have been entertained by me whether laughing at me or with me 😂🤷🏻‍♀️
- love trying new foods or activities
- taught for 5+ years
- love bachata and zouk (can dance a little bit of salsa)
- competed in a mud bug eating contest...and didn't win the contest, but I got 5 lbs of crawdads and beer for $20 bucks so I’d say that’s a win. 🦞
- hitchhiked from Germany to Austria 🥾
- scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef 🪸
- I trust a 14 year old kid to pack my parachute
- A 14 year old kid tattooed me.

Some of my travel experiences include:
- journalism study abroad in Bolivia
- solo travel in Italy, Vietnam, Australia, Japan
- couples travel in Canada, Fiji
- lived abroad for a year in my van in New Zealand

I prefer slow travel and getting to immerse myself into the local culture. I'm a native English speaker and I'm interested in learning more languages (particularly Vietnamese, French, German, or Spanish).

Please don’t friend request me if we haven’t met. Clearly this note hasn’t worked because I still get very random friend requests from people I have never messaged before. 🤔

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I wanted to confront some fears and hesitations toward couchsurfing, especially as a solo female traveler. In addition, I’m here to meet locals, whether they’re from that country or an expat. It has been such an enriching cultural exchange and more rewarding to experience traveling this way.

I hope to live in Europe someday or split my time there and in the states so I’m trying to experience the local life.

Interests

• dancing
• salsa dancing
• bachata
• minimalism
• music
• hiking
• skydiving
• mountains
• nature
• watching movies
• markets
• waterfalls
• exploring
• exploring new places
• adrenaline
• language learning
• trying new things
• zouk dancing

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC:
I'm shamelessly into mainstream pop. Def enjoying Sabrina Carpenter. Also like Andy Grammar, Ben Rector, Ed Sheeran, Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan.

MOVIES:
I don't really have a favorite movie. I love rom-coms, comedies, action, dystopia tech thrillers, etc.

TV:
Black Mirror, You, Upload, Gilmore Girls, Love on the Spectrum

BOOKS:
I love self-help books. I love "Attached" and any book by Brene Brown.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Do you know that anxious and nervous feeling of being around someone you find wildly attractive? You want to say something but maybe you feel worried about what they will think or say.

I know I have. I also have thought, why would I let my nerves and anxiety stop me from spreading joy and positivity into someone’s day? It felt so wrong so I came up with the challenge for myself to approach an attractive man (one who really wow’d me) and compliment him.

One day, while in my pajamas hanging out in my van, I saw a drop dead gorgeous man outside his van. My jaw practically hit the floor. I knew instantly, this was my moment but he was about to leave so I quickly knocked on his door, I awkwardly introduced myself and why I was approaching him, and told him I found him attractive. He was so happy and that made his day. I had such an adrenaline high from that moment. I felt so proud of myself and I also made someone’s day.

Teach, Learn, Share

From living in a van for a year to getting the courage to jump out of a plane by yourself, I am happy to share tips on how to go through that and more.

On my European 2025 trip, I hitchhiked from Germany to Austria, I am so proud of myself and was inspired by another couchsurfer. I can help share my knowledge about that.

What I Can Share with Hosts

These are things I’ve noticed people appreciate:
- Best language learning app (it’s not Duolingo)
- Best self-help book to build your confidence
- Best self-help book about relationships
- How to get your skydiving license
- How to cheers 🍻 in Vietnamese
- How to pack for a year abroad with two carry on bags

I am direct, kind and respectful in my conversations aiming to have clear communication with expressed empathy.

I am happy to share my knowledge and exchange conversations in these topics!

technical:
video production, video editing, blog writing, social media management, photography,

personal:
refugee/second-generation American, personal growth, therapy, solo traveling, van life,

professional:
conscious discipline, behavioral management with special needs, primary level education, primary level coding, 3D designing and printing, robotics

hobbies:
cross-stitching, general arts and crafts, hiking, skydiving, adrenaline activities

cooking:
Vietnamese, American, or Malaysian recipes

languages:
Vietnamese phrases

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Fiji, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

New Zealand, United States, Viet Nam