Moi! :) I'm Meri, an artistic and curious soul from Helsinki! I love learning more about the world and different cultures. I study sustainability and am interested in education systems, gardening, and well-being 🌿

I love sports, and while badminton is the only one I'm confident enough to say I'm good at, I'm getting better at tennis, volleyball, and dancing 🏸 I've danced reggaeton and electro swing, and on the social side, I like Lindy hop, which I can recommend to anyone as you cannot possibly be sad while dancing it! I'm also hoping to pick up hiking and camping more sooner or later as I love being in nature ☀️

Besides sports, I'm an artist and have been drawing, painting, and photographing since childhood. I also enjoy gardening, reading, meditation, meeting friends, taking walks, and playing video games in my free time 🌻🐝

If you think we have things in common or could have an interesting conversation, hit me up! :)

(P.S. We currently only host women.)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

One of the gifts of meeting people from other cultures is when you gain a new angle at the world or find inspiration from others - one of the most fun ways to step out of my comfort zone! I've learned to really appreciate different cultures and the richness they bring into my life both through school and travel, but most of all during my exchange semesters in Michigan (back in high school) and Barcelona (fall 2022)! I wish to continue on this amazing path :)

Interests

• photography
• dancing
• education
• cooking
• baking
• meditation
• crafts
• gardening
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• pottery
• painting
• bouldering
• music
• piano
• hiking
• sports
• tennis
• volleyball
• badminton
• history
• languages
• art
• nature
• tea
• sustainability
• gaming
• outdoors
• watersports
• lindyhop
• embroidery
• electro swing
• hackathons
• biodiversity
• studio ghibli

Music, Movies, and Books

🎵 Some artists I like: Angèle, Gorillaz, Videoclub, Yumi Arai, Altin Gün, Foster the People, MGMT, The Avalanches, Frank Ocean, touko, Glass Animals, ABBA, the XX, Caravan Palace...

🎬: absolutely love Studio Ghibli's films! They mean the world to me :) Other than that, I enjoy films like Gattaca, The Prestige, or Parasite.

📖: I grew up on Harry Potter and Terry Pratchett. I mostly read historical fiction and enjoy stories about different cultures and relationships. Some other favorites are the Purple Hibiscus, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Olive Kitteridge.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Jumped off an airplane :)

(Also, my name means Sea-Wind in English :D)

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you about the Finnish culture and make you Finnish food! I'd love to learn about your worldview, hobbies, and passions -- and share food, recipes, and stories :)

I'd also love to do sports together!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Traditional Finnish treats and cultural exchange (and salmiakki (salted licorice) for the bravest)!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Finland, Spain, United States