Hi! My name is Yoav. I'm 22 and I live in Jerusalem, Israel. After I finished high school I volunteered and studied at Southern Tel-Aviv for ten months. Then, I was recruited to the Israeli army for a mandatory service of three years, and I was a hebrew teacher and a basic training commander.
After I finished I went on a trip to south-east asia, in which I visited amazing places like the Khumbu (Everest) range in Nepal, and Bagan, in Myanmar. Now I'm working as a counselor at a summer camp in NYC, and I'll start studying math and computer science at the Hebrew University IN jerusalem a short time after my return to my home country in September. I like biking, math, Chess, Soccer, hiking, and telling stories, especially the one about the time I was chased by a goat.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

When I was visiting Istanbul a few months ago, everybody I know told me that it's not safe to reveal my nationality to the locals of this muslim city. I did not listen to them, and had some the most interesting conversations of my life, with people that I, as an Israeli, am supposed to be afraid of- Syrians, Iraqis, Lebanese, and more.
I think being in a country away from home is a unique opportunity, and I definitely intend to get the best I can out of it, and the U.S.A is no different in that sense. One of the things that make a place special is the people who live in it, and not trying to know them while you are there is just wasting a chance. I think being hosted by someone in their house is a great way to learn, and make a connection (and also save a little money...)

Music, Movies, and Books

Music- Mostly quiet Israeli songs
Movies- Not a big expert. I liked '12 Angry Man', and of course the unforgettable Pokemon!
Books- Harry Potter, and a few Israeli books you probably don't know.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

As I was saying, once I was chased by a goat, and she and me had a staring contest (a few weeks later I was also chased by a bull, and that was less funny...)
On a more serious note, two things come to my mind:
One is being a commander. Having responsibility for the life and the wellbeing of a group of people from all over the world (they were all immigrants)- France, Ukraine, U.S.A, Japan, India, Panama, Yemen, and so many more- taught me so much and left me breath-taken.
The other is my three week trek at the Everest area. It was the peak of a trip I will never forget.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm not sure I understand the question but o.k: I have experience in teaching Chess, Hebrew, and Math (in which I can say I'm really good). I can also teach whoever is interested about Israel, and actually also about some other countries.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories, Experiences, some of my grandmother's recipes for great East-European food.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Israel, United States