My name is Jelena (pronounced "Yelena") Borak!
I am originally from Knin, Croatia, but have lived in the United States since I was six years old. I just graduated from college with a major in English and a minor in Studio Art....so I'm obviously looking at a life of steady employment (har-dee-har-har)! But before that, I want to experience life outside of a classroom.

Despite having been born abroad (and aside from visiting my homeland) I really hadn't seen much more of the world until this year.
During the past ten months, I've traveled through and stayed in Northern Ireland, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan. I am planning to add a few more countries to that list in the months to come.
I love learning about different cultures and histories, meeting new people, trying new foods, and learning new languages!

Things I like:
Brad Pitt (heart be still)
Novak Djokovic
Bubble tea
Rainy days
Food doused in vinegar
Getting mail(!)
Puppies
Walking without a destination
Marriage of chocolate and coconut
Finger-puppets
Singing along to the radio in the car
Painting (of the acrylic, oil, and finger variety)
Writing/reading stories

Things I dislike:
Angelina Jolie (she's standing in the way of Love)
Pecans
Confrontations
Alarm clocks
Leaky pens
Humidity

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

“The world is a book, and those who don't travel only read one page.”
-Augustine of Hippo

I truly enjoy meeting new people and being able to see an unfamiliar place through the eyes of a "local"! Having this resource unlocks an unrivaled travel experience. Making these new friends, connections, and memories adds a certain heartbeat to traveling... I look forward to getting to know individuals, cultures, and different ways of life through these friendships!

Interests

I love painting, sketching, writing stories, decorating doors on birthdays, spontaneous roadtrips, cooking, making lists, sharing cheesy jokes, going on long walks, singing off-key, reading, watching ridiculous dramas from all around the world, and exploring new areas!

• arts
• writing
• singing
• sketching
• dining
• cooking
• chocolate
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• snorkeling
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC- Pink, Sara Bareilles, Adele, Imagine Dragons, Lepa Brena, Coldplay, George Ezra, One Republic, James Bay, Lady Antebellum, Eminem, Bastille, Rob Thomas, Regina Spektor, Cocktail (Thai band), Robyn, and Ceca...just to name a few!

TV SHOWS- Friends, House, Parks and Rec, Sherlock, Modern Family, Psych, The Office

MOVIES- Anastasia, Stardust, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Imitation Game, Harry Potter, All About Steve, My Life in Ruins,, Lord of the Rings trilogy

BOOKS-Tamora Pierce books, To Kill a Mockingbird, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Natural Born Charmer, Of Mice and Men

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Snorkeling in jellyfish-infested waters in Thailand
Raced a hungry elephant to my abandoned cellphone (which looked inexplicably appetizing to him)
Slept beneath the clearest and starriest night sky on top of Chiang Dao mountain
Spent two misadventure-filled days traveling to the remote Buddhist institute/settlement of Larung Gar in Sertar, China... absolutely Incredible place.
Witnessed a sky burial

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share my knowledge of the English, Croatian, and Serbian languages and cultures.
I also look forward to exchanging stories, jokes, and many laughs with my hosts!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hong Kong, Laos, Malaysia, Serbia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Croatia, Cyprus, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States