CURRENT MISSION

Finishing a laborious data collection process!! I cannot wait :)

ABOUT ME

Well, I've always felt a little awkward..telling all about myself, but nevermind that for now :).--I guess I'm a lot of things. On a personal level, I'm pretty fun. I love to laugh, make jokes and learn about new things--constantly. Umm.., I'm adventurous, but dually cautious and I'd say that I went into the field of political science, not only because I'm so interested in political behavior, but because I'd like to make an empirical contribution to the betterment of the human condition.

On an academic/professional level, I completed my undergrad in International Studies, and studied for a year in Bonn, Germany, before beginning grad school for international law at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.--Following one year there, I returned to the US to pursue a JD in law and a MA in Islamic and Near Eastern studies.--However, through that experience I discovered that the heart of my interest lies in comparative politics, international relations and foreign policy.--Since then I have completed all of my PhD course work in comparative politics, with an emphasis on the Middle East.

I've also studied German, Dutch, Egyptian and Modern Standard Arabic.

PHILOSOPHY

Doing the best I can!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm new to this. So, so far I haven't made a contribution at all, but I plan to!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Well, officially--none. However, throughout my traveling expereinces I have both relied upon the kindness of strangers and extended it to others.

Interests

I love just about everything except cruelty, ignorance, intolerance, self-absorbtion and dishonesty.

Obviously, I really dig traveling, but I don't like tourist attractions etc. I just enjoy the experience on the ground.--Also, with the BIG exception of being a smoker and enjoying cocktails, I'm kinda health nutty.--Finally, I like to read, swim, sit in the sun and just generally take life in.

• cocktails
• politics
• traveling
• muslim
• swimming
• international relations
• law
• political science
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

I love books, music and movies of just about any variety.