I'm a mechanical engineer taking a career break to go to New Zealand on a one-year working holiday visa. Looking for hiking and climbing buddies or road trip companions while I'm there!

Some of my hobbies (besides the obvious hiking and climbing) include swimming, running, soccer, photography, and reading. I'm also a huge Harry Potter nerd. Obviously I love to travel as well - is there anyone on here who doesn't?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

After spending four months working at a university in Northern Vietnam in 2012, I realized how much more amazing travelling is if you live with and eat with and talk to the local people. I have stayed in hostels before, and although I enjoyed it immensely, I thought it was a shame that I was meeting more travellers than locals. A few friends recommended that I try Couchsurfing so that I can actually meet local people and see the places I visit in a different light that I would if I were simply a tourist. I'm curious to learn about new cultures and I am constantly amazed to learn more about the simple things that connect humans regardless of location.

Interests

I'm very active - I love to run, hike, play soccer, rock climb, bicycle, and swim!

I'm always trying to incorporate adventure into my daily routine - often that means stopping for a trail run at a new park on my way home from work, but that can also mean trying new restaurants/cuisines and other activities!

I love reading - coincidentally, I often do my best reading while I am travelling!

I love going to pubs with friends and having deep conversations about life and the universe.

• running
• reading
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• camping
• skiing
• rock climbing
• soccer
• swimming
• sustainability
• social justice
• exploring
• learning
• adventuring
• zerowaste

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I love a lot of the classics (like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Supertramp, etc) but I love a lot of more recent artists such as Alvvays, Alt-J, Arcade Fire, Ben Howard, Fleet Foxes, Generationals, Half Moon Run, Milky Chance, The Naked and Famous, The National, Peach Pit, The Shins, Tame Impala, Tokyo Police Club, Vampire Weekend, Wild Belle, Wintersleep, and the xx ... and that was really hard to narrow down!

Movies/TV: I love workplace comedies for some strange reason - The Office and Parks and Recreation are some of my favourite shows. I have a lot of movies that I have enjoyed but my most recent favourite is Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

Books: Oh wow. I love books. Don't even get me started here ... Anything by Jeffrey Eugenides, anything by John Steinbeck, "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig, "The Catcher in the Rye" by JD Salinger, 'Educated' by Tara Wesover, anything by Chris Cleave, anything by Miriam Toews, anything by Terry Fallis ... and of course Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. I miiiight be the biggest Harry Potter fan you have ever encountered.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In the summer of 2012, I spent the summer doing research on wind turbines in Vietnam! I was 19 and it was my first solo adventure. There were definitely challenges, but I look back on that with fond memories.

Teach, Learn, Share

I grew up in Vancouver and absolutely love this city! I think anyone who says it is 'boring' or 'no fun' is totally out to lunch. As a host I am happy to point you in the right direction and recommend some of my favourite things to do around the city. I grew up here and so I know the city very well. I can point you in the right direction and hopefully recommend some new and/or novel experiences!

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, Croatia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada