Hey, I’m Ata.

Instagram: @ataalan

I’m a 26-year-old sociologist, marketer, and curious soul living in Warsaw, but my roots trace back to the vibrant streets of Izmir, Turkey. My journey has been anything but ordinary—driven by a desire to understand the world and my place in it.

For six years, I dedicated myself to queer activism and gender rights in Turkey, leading trainings, organizing advocacy campaigns, and drafting policy commitments. But in 2019, I decided to pivot, moving to Poland to explore new opportunities and focus on my passion for branding, marketing, and communications. Now, I’m combining my sociological background with my creative instincts, diving into emotional branding, consumer behavior, and what makes people connect with ideas, products, and each other.

Life has always been about movement for me. I’ve been traveling solo since I was 15 and have racked up over 200 boarding passes—every destination adding to the mosaic of my experiences. I’ve also worked at trade fairs, represented brands, and successfully brought products to international markets. From managing digital campaigns to cooking Middle Eastern feasts, I throw my energy into everything I take on.

Currently, I’m writing my thesis, exploring the sociology of branding through the lens of IQOS and the group dynamics it fosters. It’s a mix of emotional resonance, consumer loyalty, and the art of branding in highly regulated industries—a perfect blend of my interests in human behavior, politics, and marketing.

Outside of work, I’m into queer culture, techno, deep conversations, and all things music. I’m learning music production on Ableton and fascinated by how sound can tell stories just as powerfully as words. I’m also passionate about history, media, and how our past shapes the way we communicate today.

I’m here for the connections—whether it’s sharing stories over coffee (just not for me, I don’t drink it), cooking together, or talking about life’s big questions. I’m always ready for good energy, meaningful exchanges, and moments that leave an impression.

Let’s connect, share experiences, and keep exploring what makes life so endlessly fascinating.

This introduction pulls from everything I know about you—let me know if you’d like to refine it further!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’m back to traveling so would love to meet and contact with people in the towns I visit!

Interests

• lgbt rights
• politics
• communications
• gender studies
• history
• psychology
• sociology
• spirituality
• healing
• marketing
• techno
• queer
• middle east
• media
• public relations
• branding
• spiritual growth
• queer culture
• pride

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Raised myself through every challenge life threw at me

Teach, Learn, Share

Sociological theories, existentialist psychology, gender theory, queer movement, branding, cognition, communications… and many more

What I Can Share with Hosts

I cook Middle Eastern cuisine well, yet I think I am a good company for parties or drinking nights!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Poland, Turkey