I can't accept guests at the moment since I live in a tiny room in an apartment shared with two flatmates, and am currently also preparing moving to a different apartment. Hope to meet up though!

こんにちは！イリナです。２０１１年に北海道で高校留学して、２０１７年に東京で半年働いたことがあるので、日本語が話せます。遠慮なくメッセージしてください！

I am an outgoing Finn(ish person) who gets inspired and carried away easily: I'm always starting a new hobby or a project. I've studied and worked with journalism as well as graphic design (still learning, currently as an intern), but there's plenty of other interests, many of which I don't have the time for (eg. photography, videos, music).

I've done two exchanges in East Asia: one in Hokkaido, Japan (in high school) and another one in Hong Kong (during university). I also did a half-year internship in Tokyo in 2017-2018. Otherwise I've just done short trips in Europe, hope to travel more in the future but also to fly less :')

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Staying with a local always gives a new, a more in-depth perspective to the place. I love meeting new people and hearing their views. Even though the community aspect of CS is the main thing, I won't deny that for a traveling student saving on accommodation helps a lot.

Interests

My two major loves are music and visual arts.

I'm a major consumer of music, both recorded and live. I also do live myself, singing and occasionally playing the guitar and using a looper.

Visual arts: I draw, design, paint and photograph. I also enjoy going to exhibitions, anything from classic paintings to modern video installations.

I also love going out, both to bars/clubs (dancing! karaoke! good long conversations in a pub!) and the outdoors. I want to hike more. Also, whenever I find the time, I also try to read books and in-depth magazines (besides the daily news).

• arts
• singing
• music festivals
• dancing
• education
• cooking
• movies
• traveling
• painting
• drawing
• music
• live music
• guitar
• karaoke
• outdoor activities
• journalism
• visual arts
• jam sessions
• craft beer
• vegan food
• カラオケ
• 音楽
• 飲み会
• ライブ
• アート
• 美術
• 展覧会
• デザイン
• ジャーナリズム

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC

For dancing: Disco, funk, Motown, good house, Nicolas Jaar (A.A.L), Toro y Moi, The Chemical Brothers, indie/alternative pop/rock, Jungle, Yaeji

Otherwise: jazz, Björk, Feist, Frank Ocean, Bon Iver, Radiohead, Talking Heads, Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala, Future Islands, Queens of the Stone Age, Jose Gonzalez, Feist, Röyksopp, classic rock like Led Zeppelin... The list goes on.

BOOKS
Kazuo Ishiguro, John Steinbeck, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Mika Waltari, Haruki Murakami

MOVIES and TV
documentaries, Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson, David Fincher, David Lynch... I don't own a TV and I'm not subscribed to Netflix so I rarely watch series . But I love Atlanta and also like Twin Peaks, OITNB and the first season of Stranger Things.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I am the worst decision maker, so here's two:

Hiked Kowloon Peak in Hong Kong's hot and humid weather.

Went to several bars alone in Tokyo and ended up gaining a bike, a guitarist and seven live shows to play.

Teach, Learn, Share

If you're interested in learning some Finnish swear words or playing some music together, you got it! I'd also love to cook together. Don't ask me about Finnish cuisine though, I'm not a big fan :--D

What I Can Share with Hosts

I try to come bearing (small) gifts and I'm definitely up for hanging out or helping with any project you have.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Portugal, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Finland, Hong Kong, Japan