CURRENT MISSION

Getting to India in one piece...

ABOUT ME

I am friendly and chatty in the main! I usually spend my days working on my PhD so am happy to have a reason to get out and about and meet the people... I would say I am not a 'typical' PhD student, as I am not solely in love with academia but life too.

I am going to Tamil Nadu with my boyfriend in October to do some research for my PhD, about the British humanitarian response after the 2004 Tsunami. I will be volunteering for AID India for three months, teaching to Tsunami-affected kiddies. Then roaming the state for another three. Can't wait to get out seeing the world again...

PHILOSOPHY

Why not?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am not sure yet... I would be happy to show people around Leeds should they need some direction!! Colleagues at my university are from all over the world so may even be able to put you in touch with someone who you can converse with as if at home! The peace studies community in Bradford is very active with building and promoting cultural relations... I would love to host people but we are planning to move out of our flat imminently and pack up and move to India - not a pleasant or relaxing environment for anyone...

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

None!

Interests

International relations; reading; swimming; beaches and the sea; exercise; chatting; relaxing in front of the television; learning new languages: currently trying Tamil!

• environment
• exercise
• reading
• swimming
• international relations
• languages
• volunteering
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Too many, is easier to say what I don't like! I like thoughtful books that are built around character more than plot. I love many classics. I am not keen on Dan Brown and chick-lit. Or self-help books. Movies: not keen on mindless action or violence. Or cheese. Or blockbusters. I like Japanese horror and mafia films... I like foreign films quite a lot but never know which are good/bad so don't see as many as I would like. Recommendations welcome!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Climbed a live volcano.

Teach, Learn, Share

I would like to learn Tamil! I can teach English... I can help people study better... And am good at international relations theories!!! Not much use to anyone really...

Countries I’ve Visited

Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom