BIO of 2018:

When I was 7 - my dream was to become a writer.
When I was 15 - my dream was to see New York.
When I was 20 - my dream was to study in European old university.

2024 UPDATE:

Now:
I’m 36, I have masters from Charles University in Prague.
I worked on Disney Cruise line and I've been to New York, along with 51 other cities in 21 countries.

LIFE and WORK:

My life, same as life of every Ukrainian is now divided into before the war and after:

Since start of full scale Russian invasion to Ukraine in February 2022 I volunteered and then worked helping Ukrainian refugees in Prague. Last two years I work with Ukrainian refugee youth under UNICEF sponsored programs.

This experience though made me realize, that my work must be meaningful. So who knows if I’d ever make it in corporate world But - helping people, working with youth, mentoring, establishing new connections, partnerships, advocating for human rights is what fill me in, what gives me energy.

AND - I have a new addiction:

recently became addicted to SUNrises and sunsets. Getting up at 5 am for a view of rising sun for me is not a problem! Even though it’s not a rule.

ALSO

I realized I need some sort of creativity in my life to stay sane-ish: I play piano, I write, draw sometimes!

My relationship with CS:

I’m grateful that when being a poor student I’ve tried it as an alternative for expensive travel, but then I realized that it is probably the best way to explore the world, regardless money! So now I’m looking forward to adventure again!

I’m independent: I can either spend whole day on my own, or can spend it sharing experiences with the host. I’m trustworthy and clean - you can check the references.

Also I’m grateful. Being very busy person myself and living on my own, I very well appreciate the time and property of another person. For me RESPECT is not an empty word.

As for my COMMUNICATION with people - I’m easy going, can and probably will talk on ANY topic, try me! And ten to have dozens of stories about almost anything we talk about :)

For more info you can check my instagram @oksana.dolga

Oh, and my motto though still stays the same:

“If you can DREAM it - you can DO it!”

Yours truly,

Oksana

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’m looking forward to experience new places with the locals. Having traveled quite a lot I learned that this is the most precious way to explore the world!

Also, having worked and lived on the cruise ship and sharing quite small cabin with my roommates I'm used to treat other persons space with great deal of respect.

Interests

• writing
• photography
• traveling
• music
• creative writing

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - I could start with Mozart and Rachmaninov and finish with Rammstein, Muse and Queen.
Movies - of all times favourite is 5th Element, Tge Big Bang Theory, Sex and the City, Gilmore girls. Then go all best of industry, like The Lord Of The Rings, Pirates of the Carribean, Harry Potter, Dr. House, Sherlock Holmes, Fight Club, Breaking Bad, etc.
Recently into well made female movies/shows: Wild, Killing Eve, Big little lies, Dead to me, Little fires everywhere, Grace and Frankie, Perfect couple

Also love biographical movies.
Authors: - Hemingway, Remark, Zabuzhko.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Walked San Francisco night streets with my camera and in The end of the walk took my favourite photo of a saxophonist paying sax alone in the street with street lights.

Travelled Italy with CS twice - hiked Cinque Terre, visited Sicily for my 30th bday. Still grateful to the hosts, it was amazing.

Had a chance to meet and support many Ukrainian youth, who now run the projects, like short movies, social clubs, student projects etc.

Hiked Pulpit Rock in Norway. Explored the “Golden Circle” in Iceland.

Spend 2 weeks of Christmas time in Portugal with local family (my ex’s family).

Visited concert of Spice Girls for my 31st bday in Manchester. Then experienced Liverpool winning the Eurocup, celebrating it with strangers on the streets of Liverpool.

Crossed on the cruise ship Atlantic Ocean from New York to Norway.
Crossed Panama Canal on the cruise ship.

Made friends all over the world.

Teach, Learn, Share

Photography, love for music, experience from my journey

What I Can Share with Hosts

My passion is to capture humans beauty, which they themselves very often are not aware of. I could share with hosts my vision of their inner beauty through my camera.
My camera doesn't need posing, it needs genuine emotions. Good people would always have them. And good conversation would always reveal them.
I also used to teach English language, and then practice the language in the US. I'm always happy to help others improve their language skills.

Update: now I mostly use my phone camera for photography.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Czech Republic, Ukraine, United States