Hello, I'm Aru, a 26-year-old graduate student from Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 currently living in Istanbul, Turkey. I'm pursuing my master's degree in International Relations, which feeds my curiosity about global affairs and different cultures.

My passions include yoga, music, reading, and above all, travel. I've fallen in love with Turkey - its rich history, vibrant culture, and the warmth of its people have captured my heart. But my wanderlust extends far beyond my current home. I've had the pleasure of exploring Qatar, Georgia, UAE, and Thailand, and other countries in Central Asia and each journey has left me eager for more adventures.

To me, travel is about more than just seeing new places. It's about immersing myself in different cultures, trying new foods, learning local customs, and connecting with people from all walks of life. Every trip is an opportunity to broaden my horizons and gain new perspectives.

While I can't host at the moment, I'm keen to meet fellow travelers and locals alike to exchange stories, ideas, and maybe even practice some yoga together! I'm always eager to learn something new, whether it's a skill, a historical fact, or a fresh perspective from the people I meet.

I'm fluent in Kazakh, Russian, English, and Turkish, so I'm always ready for multilingual adventures. As a traveler, I consider myself friendly, open-minded, and brave – always up for new experiences and connections.

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Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I joined Couchsurfing to meet interesting people and explore Istanbul and beyond from a local's perspective. If you're passing through Istanbul and want to grab a coffee, discuss international relations, share travel tales, or explore this beautiful city together, I'd love to connect!

Interests

• coffee
• yoga
• pilates
• meditation
• music
• piano
• art
• drumming
• book reading

Music, Movies, and Books

November by Max Richter 🎶
Movie: Interstellar and The lord the rings
Books: To kill a mockingbird

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Learning to play on drums ✨

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you some russian and kazakh words :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

As a guest, I always strive to be respectful, tidy, and contribute positively to my host's home. Here's what I can offer:

Cultural Exchange: I'd love to share stories about Kazakhstan and teach you some words in Kazakh or Russian. I can also offer insights into Turkish culture from an expat's perspective.

Cooking: I can prepare some traditional Kazakh dishes or share a meal from my student-friendly recipe collection.

Yoga Sessions: If you're interested, I'd be happy to lead a relaxing yoga session or teach you some basic poses.

Language Practice: I can help you practice English, Russian, or basic Turkish if you're learning.

Music Sharing: I enjoy discovering new music and would love to exchange favorite songs or artists from our respective cultures.

Above all, I promise to be a considerate guest who respects your space and rules, and I'm always happy to help out around the house during my stay.

Countries I’ve Visited

Georgia, Qatar, Thailand, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

Kazakhstan, Turkey