Joanne Lam's Photo

Unverified Profile

  • Payment not verified
  • Phone not verified
  • Government ID not verified

Not Accepting Guests

  • Last login 15 days ago

Join Couchsurfing to see Joanne’s full profile.

Overview

  • 37 references 4 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English, Yue (Cantonese); learning Chinese
  • 33, Female
  • Member since 2008
  • No occupation listed
  • M.S. in Hospitality Management
  • No hometown listed
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

you can never have see too many places nor have too many friends

ABOUT ME

I was born in HK and grew up in Hong Kong all my life. I took a gap year before university and worked in Phnom Penh, Cambodia at an International School as a teacher assistant for first grade. I studied undergrad in Boston at Emerson College then went on to work for Hostelling International Boston for two years. Lived in LA for two years, lived in Austin for a year (what an INCREDIBLE city), and most recently moved to Toronto, Canada temporarily.

I love to exercise, whether it be going to the gym lifting some weights or doing any type of sport. I've played basketball all my life, played Rugby in high school and went on to join Quidditch starting college.

I was an ambassador for my high school in Hong Kong and love getting to know all kinds of people, people of all ages. I enjoy a good conversation over a cup of coffee or a drink. I'm genuinely sarcastic, but knows when to have fun and when to be serious. I really enjoy serious conversations but also enjoy throwing peanuts across the bar to get someone's attention. (Okay I've only done that once.. but still)

PHILOSOPHY

Life is what you make of it. There are always going to be people trying to push you to the floor and hurt you, but don't let them put you down. Get up, and keep on running.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Cambodia - I was a huge part of the community, Unfortunately not surfing or hosting but I went to most of the meet ups and was largely involved in Phnom Penh, Cambodia! (Drinks, parties, card games... shithead nights arranged by Mia)

Boston - Again, haven't had the chance to surf or host but attend the weekly meet ups whenever I can, parties and individual hang outs more often. Some of my closest friends in Boston I've met from couch surfing.

Edinburgh, Scotland - couch surfed with Hsin-Chu for two days then at his friend Chris's place for a few days!! One of the best trips I've taken.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Living in Cambodia 08-09 was my first couch surfing experiences and they were pretty darn awesome. I got into it right away and really enjoyed the good friends that I made. Many of whom are still good friends, I still keep in touch with them and hope to see them soon again!

My friend as well as fellow Couch Surfer Megan Ho and I traveled to Siem Reap, Cambodia for a holiday in April 2009 and had the best vacation ever. We met up with fellow couch surfers and went driving ATVs, drank and hung out all day long, got to know each other and all in all, it was very relaxing and tons of fun.

After Cambodia, I moved to Boston and began to get involved with the crew there. I've met so many great people through CS there it has kept me sane through school and classmates.

Interests

Coffee, drinks, Rugby, Basketball, Sports, quidditch (yes the harry potter game), writing, traveling, experiencing new culture and new sights, meeting new friends, having a good laugh and a good time.

pretty much everything under the sun

  • culture
  • writing
  • documentaries
  • coffee
  • exercise
  • running
  • partying
  • drinking
  • traveling
  • surfing
  • sports
  • basketball
  • rugby
  • teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Tuesdays with Morrie, The five people you meet in heaven, Forrest Gump, Shel Silverstein, U2, Coldplay.. I like all kinds of music for the most part.

Dexter, Breaking bad, HIMYM, New Girl, The Big Bang Theory, Arrested Development, 30 Rock, True Detective, a many more.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've made a 30 min documentary about a well known garbage dump here in Phnom Penh.. includes powerful images of the people living there, interviews and more. Also stayed in a village in Fiji for a week.. that was more than amazing!

Ok, I couldn't keep this to one thing- here's another- I've been fortunate to go on a helicopter tour of Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia) with a fellow Couch Surfer and good friend as the pilot!

Teach, Learn, Share

Go. Step out of the comfort zone and reach out to those people who don't speak the same language nor culture as you.

Sometimes silence and the look in someone's eye speaks more than words.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Cambodia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Cambodia, China, Netherlands, United States

Old School Badges

  • 9 Vouches

Join Couchsurfing to see Joanne’s full profile.

My Groups