Born in Kochi, a small port town on the southwest coast of India, I spent my early childhood living with my extended family in this tight-knit, pious community. I spoke only Konkani, a dialect used by just about sixty thousand people in the state of Kerala. When I was ready to start school, my parents migrated to the United States in search of greater opportunities in the high-tech industry and a better quality of life.

Though I initially struggled adjusting to American breakfast routine, sports culture, and language, life in the Bay Area eventually offered great cultural balance. With opportunities to explore global cuisines, classical arts, and several languages, I embraced my Indian American roots while keeping my eyes open to the cultural mélange in which I live.

I hope to travel as much as possible before hitting the books at the library for the next few years when I start Medical School this fall.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Growing up in the Bay Area for most of my life, I do feel as though I have developed an understanding of the outside world as several cultures of the world thrive in this region. However, I have yet to experience many regions of their origin. I hope that in understanding the lives of as many of the billions of people on earth, I may chip away at better understanding myself and my purpose on this planet.

Interests

- Broad spectrum of musical genres from the classical arts and jazz to EDM and R&B
- Science and Technology specifically pertaining to the field Medicine
- Meeting people with vastly different experiences.

• arts
• culture
• books
• singing
• education
• dining
• cooking
• breakfast
• beer
• modeling
• technology
• traveling
• socializing
• knitting
• music
• jazz
• sports
• teaching
• genealogy
• history
• languages
• medicine
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Song: Phil Collins - Another Day In Paradise
Movies: Saving Private Ryan, 3 Idiots,
Book: The Emperor of All Maladies - Siddhartha Mukherjee

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In the winter of 2011, I had the opportunity to travel to Pamplona, Peru with an NGO established under a sustainable model that approaches global health by addressing Medicine, Education, and Development. Working with several local physicians who were still gaining the slum’s trust in allopathic medicine, I learned about the importance of a culturally sensitive practice. As part of my duties, teaching mothers about the importance of preventative care and young children to keep their teeth healthy, I learned the long-term value of education in such an intervention. This experience presented my with a global perspective in which I still find great motivation.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: academic knowledge in biological science and medicine, political perspectives regarding preventative interventions, singing and vocal percussion, cooking easy nutritious meals with locally available ingredients.

Learn: Language, daily life, family values, academic insights, political views, and anything more!

Share: Excitement for regional food, craft beer, music, and art.

What I Can Share with Hosts

The experience of becoming a global citizen; open to varied perspectives and mindful of personal ancestry and history.

Food has long been my point of entry into several other cultures. This unique form of gastronomic communication has become much more than about the food itself. To me, cooking is now a method of accepting cultural diversity, facilitating conversation about community health, and inspiring an “eat well and live well” philosophy.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, France, Peru, Singapore

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, United States