CURRENT MISSION

To find out how much of Europe we can see, lovely people we can meet, and delicious foods we can try before we're completely bankrupt

ABOUT ME

We're two friends that have known each other for over 10 years (since first meeting in a 5th grade classroom). We'd like to think that we have become smarter, more beautiful, and more athletic since those days... but I guess you can be the judge of that :)

Our tickets to London are booked - we will be there December 8-14. We would love to meet locals, internationals, in-betweeners and explore the city, the culture, the food, the history, the night life, and maybe even find out a bit more about ourselves.

KATERYNA:
I'm a 20 year old girl originally from Ukraine studying abroad presently in Moscow. When I am not exploring the Soviet land of Mother Russia, you can find me drinking tea, running, doing photography, reading, singing or scribbling. I also like to bake.

DREW:
I'm a student at Drexel University in Philadelphia. I love it and I couldn't imagine going back to my home town. Because of my studies I'm usually buried under a pile of books, but I do love to learn and as much as I might complain, I secretly enjoy it being overwhelmed by it all. I'm presently studying for a semester in Bonn, and I hope to see some of Europe while I'm there.

PHILOSOPHY

DREW:
I personally don't really subscribe to any religious beliefs, I think it's up to us to find our own meaning. I intend to learn as much as I can and better understand the world.

KATERYNA:
In the past year, I have become more spiritual however am far from being religious (just my own view). My personal philosophy, however, is to live everyday as if you have only 3 years to live. If you live everyday as "YOLO" or as your last year, you don't really get much done.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We've just gotten started so I haven't had the opportunity to host or surf, hopefully this will change soon!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

No experiences yet but we look forward to them!

Interests

DREW:
As you can probably guess from my major, I love to read. I enjoy writing as well, and I hope maybe someday to publish something. That's the dream anyway. In the meantime I'm working on my studies and trying to learn as much as I can along the way.

Though my major focuses on English literature, I'm minoring in Business Administration and German. I hope to achieve fluency before I graduate. Right now I think that when I graduate I want to study law. One of the fascinating things about studying in Germany is that I've had a chance to learn about the German legal system, which has given me a lot to think about regarding the justice systems of nations other than the United States.

As far as hobbies go I try to play the violin, learn about fields outside of English literature (I have a couple books on physics that I'm almost afraid to open), and am a member of the fantastic honors fraternity of Phi Sigma Pi.

KATERYNA:
I really like walking around, seeing people and the sights. I like reading - Russian 17th century literature is currently taking lead in my favorites. I like making delicious food, looking up recipes, running (ran my first half marathon this year), collecting flowers, taking pictures, writing lists and plans for the future (don't mind if they don't come to fruition, but still nice to have). I also collect coins, keychains, and music boxes... and shoes.

• culture
• writing
• books
• literature
• singing
• photography
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• breakfast
• marathon
• running
• walking
• drinking
• flowers
• reading
• music
• violin
• hiking
• swimming
• business
• history
• law
• physics
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

DREW:
I'm presently reading through George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita," and I'm trying to break into some German literature. I've found some interesting translations of American works and I'm only a little worried that I'm way out of my depth. I gradually am making my way through the works of Hemingway and find myself enamored with his style. I have a deep love of sci-fi that my father managed to instill in me at a young age. (In no particular order: A Game of Thrones, The Great Gatsby, Lolita, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Shakespeare's plays, The Name of the Wind, A Farewell to Arms, Doctor Faustus, A Good Man is Hard to Find, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, Ender's Game, Schismatrix, Neuromancer, The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Mote in God's Eye, The Last Legion, Catch-22)

As far as music, I listen to just about anything other than country. Nothing against it, it just isn't for me. I tend to gravitate towards anything with great guitar and heart, bonus points if they can work brass into it.

Movies are a bit tricky to describe. I don't go out to see them so often anymore, but the ones I enjoy most are the really thought provoking ones. A recent film I loved, and probably the best done time travel movie I've ever seen, is called "Primer."

KATERYNA:
Favorite books - Anna Karenina, 100 Years of Solitude, Crime and Punishment, Midsummer Nights Dream
Movies - Leon Professional, Pan's Labyrinth
Music - MUSE, Jack Johnson, Pink Floyd

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

DREW:
While hiking through a rainforest in Puerto Rico I broke away from the group, climbed down a waterfall, and went for a swim beneath it. It was incredible, worth every bit of the sopping wet journey back.

KATERYNA:
Running in the morning along the Bosphorus in Istanbul in August, the water was sparkling, the fisherman were out, children playing and laughing in the water... finishing by having to climb one of the "hills" in Bebek to get back home and enjoying the most beautiful view of my life... it was incredible & afterwards I was able to enjoy a fully deserved Turkish Breakfast

Teach, Learn, Share

DREW:
I could attempt to teach some German, share my vast knowledge of random and largely useless information. Perhaps recommend some books?

KATERYNA:
I can cook some, can speak Russian (willing to teach :)), and can spread my eternal love for Nutella all over the world.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bermuda, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Russian Federation, Ukraine, United States