I'm still not entirely sure what I want to be when I grow up... I am a conglomerate rock, made up of different types of personal, professional and academic experiences and interests, held together with a desire to make great contributions to this world before it's too late. For so long, I've been trying to find a way to "sell" myself to potential employers, explain myself to my family and friends and present myself to new acquaintances. I've never been able to neatly package myself and say who I am, what I'm interested in, what I'd like to do "when I grow up." I've recently been making better headway into accepting that about myself. I'm not entirely 100% comfortable with it yet, but getting there...

From Moscow, Russia; grew up on Long Island, NY (3/4) and outside of Moscow (1/4) of the year :) Lived in upstate NY for around 7 years and then moved down to the city where I've been for 4 years and (sort of) currently still am.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To travel within my means; meet local people who (as experience has proven) have much better recommendations for things to do, places to see and things to eat; and make friends around the world. I've known a few people to really take advantage of Couchsurfing and they've always had amazing and unique experiences, that are much harder to come by when staying at a hotel or Airbnb.

I signed up for Couchsurfing back in 2013 (according to what my profile tells me) but haven't had a chance to really take advantage of this wonderful thing, so please don't take my lack of references as any indication about the type of person I am... promise we'll get along swimmingly!

Interests

• writing
• wine
• cocktails
• yoga
• reading
• traveling
• live music
• jazz
• blues
• camping
• snowboarding
• tennis
• house music
• people watching
• museums
• new experiences
• campfires
• sharing ideas
• rooftops
• interesting conversations
• museums and exhibitions
• cafès
• outdoor adventures
• learning about new cultures
• the woods
• learning from others
• outdoor restaurants
• being out on the water - any water!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Seeing a blue-footed boobie couple care for an egg and then walk back to see them caring for their new baby

Canopy swinging in the Costa Rican rainforest high up in the trees with monkeys swinging on either side

Staying in a castle that Mary Queen of Scots stayed in while she was running from Queen Elizabeth

Living in Edinburgh for a semester and studying at the University of Edinburgh

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, Scotland, United States