Currently traveling in Portugal

✨I might name my last couple of years as a big transformation, since I truly started to live this life and appreciating meeting new people all around the world.
It’s been a great inspiration for me to discover new cultures and just talking to someone I’ve never met before✨

Have already experienced a lot throughout past years!
Studied in Switzerland for half a year, did my hotel internship in Portugal for another 6 months and then dropped out university. At the beginning of October started my art&design foundation in Nottingham, the UK. Already finished it, came back home near the sea in Russia and looking forward for my next adventure. Still not sure about where it takes me, but that what makes it so exciting! Over last half the year I lived in Barcelona

Trying to find passion in life. Photography always took place in my heart. Here is a portfolio of mine https://polinashum.gallery.photo . Drawing also helps to clear up my mind. I’m a nature lover as well and would love to join you for a hike or simply a walk in the city

I work as a social media manager for 2 years now, so sometimes need to sit with my phone/computer for several hours to keep updating and promoting businesses on media platforms

I also feel the need to explore my producing skills. I notice that I am being absolutely powerful while helping others to share their passions with public. If you wish other people to know your art - let me know. I’ll suggest you something

I’m not a drinker and not a smoker. Trying to take care of the body. I practice intuitive nutrition, but eventually have been pescatarian for about three years

My Instagram- @polinashumskaya
https://instagram.com/polinashumskaya

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I would love to enlarge my social life, find new friends all over the world.
Sharing travel memories and passions, being able to experience and be fully immersed into meaningful conversations.

Sometimes you meet a person and spend just a few days with them, but it feels like you know each other for eternity. I do believe we meet people not by an accident

Interests

Everything about nature and photography. Usually I try to be focused on a person and forget to capture some moments. But it only means that I’m being truly inspired by talking to you :)

I also have been doing horse riding professionally for over 7 years. Now I don’t ride often, but still practice sometimes (if you know a stable near your place - let me know haha)

I enjoy road trips and travelling. Try to find hidden streets and talk to locals. Sometimes I can sit straight for hours reading a book in a park and that would be the best feeling ever

Also drawing, doing ceramics, painting and just exploring my creative self is something I take energy from

Surfing, climbing, free diving, cycling, playing badminton or just playing cards or chess :)

• arts
• theater
• photography
• sketching
• dancing
• cooking
• chess
• reading
• music
• piano
• equestrian
• hiking
• surfing
• sports
• languages
• psychology
• marketing
• mindfulness
• producing
• healthy lifestyle
• ceramics
• esoteric
• human design
• social media marketing
• yoga and meditation
• floristry
• event management

Music, Movies, and Books

🎶Music is a top source for my inspiration. I do listen to different genres, all depends on the mood. Have a retro playlist with some indie folk, soft rock, mellow gold, acoustic songs.
I love jazz and classical music, especially piano. Slowly learning how to play it by myself.
Also I have playlist for ecstatic experience and often turn it on at home to dance and let things go

🎞️Prefer to watch adventure, detective movies as well as some good old classics with inspiring lightning and colours. It would be hard to identify just a few best ones, but might be Avatar (the movie), Pirates of the Caribbean (my childhood memories) and Anne with an E (with its gorgeous shooting)

📚I love to read as well. My interest varies from classical literature to something more specific like psychology, marketing or mindfulness.
I keep on adding some books to my pocket bookshelf, hopefully I’ll have more time to read soon enough

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Went to Morocco for three weeks all alone without knowing anything about the country. I was traveling along the coast, meeting great people and surfing.

Also I’ve done a 10 days hike with my family at the Altai krai in the mountains. I think that journey has started my passion and love to hiking and walking in nature.
That was something truly inspiring. No internet, no civilisation. Just me and sounds of the forest

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you everything I know myself. Share knowledge I got from others and while traveling. Explain some photography basics, how to see beauty around and slow down
I also practice yoga and meditations

I’ve been learning how to promote yourself on Instagram, so that’s another things I am good at and worked as a social media manager for more than a year

What I Can Share with Hosts

I’m always eager to learn new things and would be more than happy to spend some time with you

I love to cook, so I can prepare breakfast or dinners with you. Usually it’s something simple and vegetarian, but I’m ready to try out new recipes :)

Going for a walk/hike or exploring the city is another thing we can do together as well as simply spending an evening while sharing some life experience

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Russian Federation, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland