I'm a graduate student in Robotics at UT Austin. Possibly on the route to a PhD but that sounds scary (so I'm in denial).

Grew up in India, travelled all over the country. Did my undergrad in a tiny little university town with summer temperatures upwards of 120F, but would not trade that for anything. Worked in many places and seen them before moving to Austin, Texas for grad school.

I've been in Austin for two years, and am in love with the city. I'm one of the few young folks with old souls who love the "Keep Austin weird " culture that we have there.

I play the piano and guitar. Bought my current acoustic back in 2010 with the plan that it will travel with me. It's been to 17 out of 29 states across all four corners of India, and in the US, it has made it to the South, the East, Midwest, Pacific northwest, ... and counting.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Im the kind of person who makes at least one friend on every journey that I take. I start conversations in airports, trains and flights (and pull back after a couple of minutes to give my co-travellers the easy way of choosing not to have long conversations. Continue to talk only they re-initiate.) I've met amazing people from all over the world and am still in touch with many of them.

I usually travel to new places because I already know someone there whom I want to meet again. That way I'm seeing people as well as places - A very wide network of friends from my undergrad university certainly does help. Similarly, I'm always telling them to visit me in Austin and hosting them at my place. (That trend has to lead somewhere...)

So I'm exploring this community. I've still not formed an opinion on it, but it feels like it will be the kind of thing that I would thoroughly enjoy!

Interests

• singing
• board games
• music
• guitar
• piano
• hiking
• learning new things
• exploring new places
• meeting new people
• social dancing
• weird cities
• clock towers

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Walk off the Earth, Pentatonix, The Pianoguys, Peter Hollens, Perpetuum Jazille
I support these guys on Patreon, and really enjoy discovering interesting new artists on youtube.

John Denver, Abba, Carpenters, and a lot of the really old county (That's a lot of what I play on the guitar) and in general I can appreciate listening to most forms of music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Fixed the clockworks and bell mechanisms of the main tower at my undergrad university. (Check it out! bits-clocktower.org)

Climbed the in the Himalayas to peaks near the origin of the river Ganges

Teach, Learn, Share

Guitar, singing and music.
Fixing stuff, cars.
Social dance: Not an expert, but I've introduced a few good folks to Swing, Salsa/Bachata and Country dancing.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I carry my guitar with me and can provide some background music to life, perhaps teach you a little if you're interested
I have worked in car factory design, so I've fixed things on a lot of friends cars. (Yes, I'll offer to help with your car too... and maybe the other broken stuff lying around the house as well.)
Can cook a meal, or drive you around to interesting places together.

Countries I’ve Visited

Egypt, Lebanon, Singapore

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, Kuwait, United States