Hello! Привет! مرحبا! Geebale!

I have an addiction to travelling, exploring new places, meeting new people and learning languages. I have yet to find a cure...

I am a senior policy advisor to the UK Government on climate change and passionate about environmental /ecological issues.

I am also the co-founder and Executive Director of a international non-profit that builds water tanks for schools in Uganda from 'ecobricks' - recycled plastic bottles (www.equalaqua.org).

I like big books (and I cannot lie) and have PhD in Soviet history. I can play a few musical instruments and always up for jam!

I am currently able to host at my parents' place in a small village north of Manchester, between Bury and Bolton. It is a long bus journey from the centre, but is situated in beautiful English countryside.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Travelling for me is all about getting to know new people and gaining a new perspective on the world. Some of my fondest memories are simply hanging out with people on CS and living a day in their life, seeing the world through their eyes.

This could involve sharing music, travelling stories, dreams for the future; going to work with them, meeting their their friends, families; cooking together. Or random things like helping to fix their grandma's boiler, delivering medicine to Syrian refugees, going to a film premiere...

Interests

I'm a huge music geek. I play a few different instruments and love a good music festival. I often busk with the guitar in places I visit. I also play ice hockey for my university team.

• music
• backpacking
• languages
• hitchhiking
• trekking
• gigs
• manchester united
• ice hockey
• enviroment

Music, Movies, and Books

Currently listening to Nick Cave, watching Wintergaten on YouTube, and reading Metropolis - a book about the history of cities.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I recently trekked to Everest Base Camp for charity.

Teach, Learn, Share

I always attempt to learn the local language so any advice/tips would be most welcome! While travelling I'm also making a video of 'I love you' in 100 languages so maybe you'd like to participate?

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have experience teaching English, Russian and music and would be more then happy to help you practice. In the past, I've also helped my hosts with editing their CVs in English and making job applications.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Palestine, Russian Federation, Uganda, United Kingdom, Viet Nam