I am on an adventure! I recently left my job as a social worker in the US and bought a one way ticket to Singapore. I am hoping to travel for at least a year, while volunteering and engaging in my favorite activities: meandering walks to people watch and soak in a place, trekking, and eating. Lots of eating.

Also, I am working on a writing project, a compilation of interviews and profiles of places and people I meet while traveling. On this trip I'll visit many places my community back home would never consider. I hope to offer voices in my writing that encourages them to consider new places and perspectives, and to ultimately help them be more open to the world.

I love to learn, which is part of why I travel. I've been several more places than are listed... Among my favorite travels have been in Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Ghana. My best experiences have been where the pace and priorities of life are a bit different from the United States, and I am able to get outside of the work hard and protect yourself mindset. I have been graciously helped by strangers and new friends all over the world, and love to exchange experiences and ideas.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I would rather see and experience places with someone who lives in a place, than with a group of tourists. One of my goals is to help folks back home understand why travel is so important, and to open their minds to other people, and to do so with my writing. I'm not aiming to write Top 10 Lists or guidebooks, but I want to learn from my travel and then share.

Interests

Yoga, Hiking, traveling, farmers markets, learning, modern dance, education, social work, beer and wine tasting, eating ice cream, cooking...

• concerts
• dancing
• education
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• yoga
• walking
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• social work
• food
• markets

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm really into disaster/end of the world type movies, and creepy psychological horror films. I struggle to finish novels because I like learning too much, I'd rather read non-fiction.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've spent significant amounts of time in Guatemala and Ghana. If you want to know how to make a tortilla by hand, or hear crazy stories about goat sacrifice and marriage proposals by chiefs, I'm your girl.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am trained as a therapist and a social worker, specialized in work with teens and young adults who have has lives marked by trauma and instability. My work isn't my whole identity, but it's very important to me. I want to learn about mental health and social work in other countries and share what I can about my work. I also hope to improve my intermediate Spanish.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I will lend a hand with whatever needs doing. I am extremely neat and clean. I would love to help cook or mind pets.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Ecuador, England, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ghana