Hi!
I am a current undergraduate at University of Maryland studying Bioengineering and LGBT studies. I'm working towards getting into Medical School and am very interested in women's rights, medical anthropology, and gender norms. I can hold very long conversations about these topics, but my opinions on them are very liberal.

I am an international student from Jakarta, Indonesia. I was born and grew up there and moved to the US when I was 13. I absolutely love traveling, road trips, live music, good food and meeting people (as most people in CS are!). I've traveled Asia extensively with my family, and I'm now hoping to branch out more...

I also love hiking and would like to see more of the US National Parks. One thing I love doing is mushroom foraging; they are so underrated and you will definitely be surprised at the diversity of the fungi kingdom. While it's still a hobby and I'm not an expert, I can definitely share a bit of my knowledge about them. I also love pottery and comic books! I draw a lot. My medium is mostly digital and pencil/pen. I'm working on making more comics. Here is my blog to learn more about me: https://www.staceymannuel.com

I don't have a lot of pictures here, but please do feel free to check out my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steissteiss/

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

As a student, I'm afforded plenty of breaks. Couchsurfing sounds like a great way to affordably travel, chill and meet cool people. I am really not a huge fan of hotels! Some of my favorite experiences traveling have been through AirBnB and staying at hostels. Unfortunately, I've yet to try couchsurfing, but it sounds like a great opportunity (especially as a solo traveler)! I want to be able to make new friends, and hopefully, share some great conversation.

Interests

• womens rights
• pottery
• drawing
• live music
• jazz
• astronomy
• biology
• engineering
• social science
• art
• social justice
• health
• radio
• space
• studio ghibli

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
I am a DJ on my college's radio station! Needless to say I love talking about music!! I am a fan of bands like alt-J, Young the Giant, Neutral Milk Hotel or artists like Sufjan Stevens, James Blake, Frank Ocean, Chance, The Rapper. Big fan of pianists such as Chilly Gonzalez, Hiromi, and even classical music like Tchaikovsky, Satie....(Have you heard Godowski's Java Suite?) I also love jazz, including the great classics Chet Baker, Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, or the less unknown artists like Takuya Kuroda and Ryo Fukui. Not a big fan of pop music most of the time but I consider myself well-versed in it.

I make my own music on the piano, but I'm still learning a lot and really have only recently started composing. Regardless, I would love to jam with you or play a few songs for you :) I also play the Japanese Koto, a huge 13 stringed instrument. A big plus if you can teach me how to play the guitar. I really love music as it transcends cultural barriers and yet still says a lot about one's culture...

Movies:
I am also a huge movie buff. Talk to me about any Studio Ghibli movie (Nausicaa is my favorite one). I also spend a crazy amount of time watching LGBT movies. Some of my favorites are A Single Man, Blue is the Warmest Color, Paris is Burning. Some other classics are City of God, Aliens, and Godfather.

Books:
A Song of Ice and Fire series, by George R.R. Martin (working my way through the 4th book now...)
Book of Salt, by Monique Truong
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
Sister Outsider, by Audre Lorde
Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
Gender Trouble, by Judith Butler
The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck
and so many more I am missing!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Moving to the United States as a 13-year-old is probably the craziest thing I've done. At the time, it was just me and my 17-year-old sister. We lived alone in an apartment and had to figure out everything from cooking to paying our bills. I guess it's pretty basic stuff, but it was terrifying for me!
I then went to high school in Maryland for a year before I called it quits, dropped out, and started college in Massachusetts instead. So I was 15 when I started college! I was very enthusiastic about learning big-kid level stuff. Turns out being too young and indecisive isn't that great, so after switching majors 4 times I am now in my 5th year of college. Luckily I'm doing what I love!

Learning is possibly the most amazing thing I have in my life. My education has opened doors to so many opportunities I am forever grateful for. Ask me about my time working in a women's hospital in Shanghai or how I sent my research to the International Space Station!

In terms of traveling, my favorite memory is dog mushing in Alaska! We were on a glacier and saw amazing mountain views throughout the ride.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am always open to learning and sharing about culture, languages, and food. I want to know what your passions are - teach me about something you love!
I can teach you a bit about baking (but nothing about cooking!!). I love making Asian cakes and snacks, and would love to share with you my sponge cake :)
I can share with you my music, and a good conversation.

What I Can Share with Hosts

An open-minded attitude!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Indonesia, United States