I am currently an Au Pair in Alexandria, Virginia traveling the U.S. I am a very bubbly and outgoing person. I am living in the U.S. for 2 years and want to experience the lifestyle and culture as much as possible. My personality is always willing to help and take advice from others when traveling. I am open to anything based around experiencing anothers culture

I previously lived in Australia as a tourism advicate.I have worked in many different destination and climatic extremes. When I was 17 I moved out of home to begin University in the Blue Mountains located West of Sydney. Part of the degree was to travel and complete 6 month placements. I chose to work in the Kimberley in Northern Western Australia, Mount Hotham in Victoria and the Sydney CBD. These placements gave me the all round experience to be an Hotelier. During my studies I would also travel to Hartley in the lower part of the Blue Mountains to work as an Assistant Food and Beverage Manager.

These skills gave me the opportunity to move to Cambodia and be an English Volunteer at a Hotel School for students in need. This has been the best and most moving experience of my life. The people have so much to give even though they have less. I will eventually move back to Asia to help the people in need. But am currently increasing my skills to aid them.

In my personal time I enjoy recreational activities such as sailing, scuba diving, hiking, drawing, sewing and cooking. As a part of my visa I have just completed a sailing course in Baltimore. Previous career opportunities for myself was working as a Lifeguard and Learn to swim teacher during highschool; this gave me the motivation to always better myself.

If you have any questions on any of the topics I have listed I would be more an happy to share my experiences and recommendations!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

As an Au Pair we recieve a small spendit each week. I try to save as much as possible for traveling as I would like to experience different cultures and their lifestyles. I believe being on Couchsurfing will give me the opportunity to meet more people and to grow my network.

When I travel I want to experience things in the eyes of another. Couchsurfing will give me this opportunity.

If I reach out to you I would really like to get to know you and your way of living!

Thanks, Mikaela

Interests

• dancing
• running
• drawing
• hiking
• scuba diving
• sailing
• skiing
• swimming
• volunteering
• wine tourism
• sewing

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - Everything - I enjoy going to live music in my free time
Movies- Action/ Horror ... do not mind the occasional rom-com
Books- romantic and Biographies

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I use to be a hotel trainer/English Volunteer for underprivilaged students in a third world country.

Teach, Learn, Share

Ask me about tourism in the South Pacific, Marine tourism and Wine Tourism.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Travel experience, food and culture.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Laos, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Cambodia, United States