My name is Yana, and I am from Ukraine. I'm trying to use every opportunity to live my life to the fullest and to make this planet a better place to live in. Wherever I go, I go with my all heart.

I am driven by a genuine curiosity to learn and explore the world around me. I dream of someday writing a book about my adventures, but until then, here are a few random facts that might sum up my travel resume: I have visited more than 30 countries, survived three months in Thailand on a shoestring budget, completed a Vipassana meditation retreat in complete silence at a Buddhist temple in the jungle, crossed Cyprus in a hitchhiking competition with friends, explored Armenia with local bikers, lived with locals for 10 days on the border with the Gaza Strip in Israel, helped a local American artist organize an exhibition in New York, co-published a book with a friend at the age of 18 in Kyiv, completed my university thesis in the snow at -15°C in Alberta, Canada, and spent 10 months in Alabama, USA, as a high school exchange student.

Last year, I spent an incredible time in Australia. The main reason I headed to the other side of the world was to work at the Ukrainian Embassy, driven by my belief in the power of diplomacy to support my country during the war. But, of course, the stunning Australian nature was a huge bonus—I'm an absolute nature enthusiast. I was lucky enough to make some lifelong friends down under and am beyond thankful to have experienced Australia's unique landscapes firsthand!

I see life as an epic game filled with complex challenges and easier moments. Stay curious, and tackle this game with enthusiasm and happiness! I consider myself a real creative soul, brimming with ideas and always intrigued by "what if?" scenarios, which I embrace in all aspects of life.

Balancing travel and work, I aim to avoid getting swept up in the rat race, yet I put my heart into my work when I see a chance to make a real difference and bring my creative vision to life. Think of me as a Swiss Army knife—versatile, creative, and capable of handling a multitude of tasks and roles. Creativity is my playground: from conjuring new ideas and fostering a better world to forging connections and crafting meaningful narratives. I love to mix and match different disciplines, like design, architecture, publishing, writing, music, technology, fashion, international relations, and art. Each project is an adventure, filled with risks and requiring courage, perfect for those with an adventurous spirit.

My ultimate aim is to leave a significant mark, inspire change, and take on the role of a creator, not merely a participant. This ambition has led me on diverse journeys, including student exchanges in the US, Armenia, and at the University of Toronto in Canada, where I refined my skills and graduated with a degree in International Relations. My love for storytelling and curiosity about others' lives steered me toward a career in journalism. I worked as a journalist for the Kyiv Post, Ukraine's premier English-language newspaper. Later, I channeled my creativity and writing prowess into Projector, a creative and tech-oriented online university, helping to elevate Ukraine's creative sector and advance its informal education scene.

Welcome to my Instagram to get to know more about my lifestyle and my perception of the world : https://www.instagram.com/iamyanaornot/

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Sometimes I imagine how huge our world is and how many amazing people are here to meet and places to explore. I love people, exploring different cultures, asking questions, meeting locals, and sharing what I can. Throughout my travels, I have met so many amazing people who have done so many good things for me, so I truly believe in the universal circulation of kindness in nature. When the war in my country is finally over, I would LOVE to host people in my country and show them Ukraine just like people in other countries do such things for me.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am interested in books, writing, music, natural wine, architecture, design, art, nutrition science, chemistry, physics, international relations, gardening, different cuisines and cooking, fashion as one of the manifestations of art, different things you can do with your hands (like arts&crafts), yoga, farms and markets, sci-fi movies, and all these talks about the future and AI, asking people questions and listening to their stories, and connecting with people. I love yoga and running. I am training for a marathon now and exploring the connection between my body and my brain. It’s all connected, and it’s amazing to observe every change in your body— running definitely helps me to discover my body!

My dreams include a round-the-world journey, experiencing Burning Man, learning how to play the piano, buying a van, and going on a trip around the States.

What I Can Share with Hosts

During my travels, I've had the pleasure of meeting some truly amazing people who have been incredibly kind to me. This has made me a firm believer in the universal flow of kindness. That's why I always try to give back in any way I can. I adore cooking, so I'd be thrilled to share some traditional Ukrainian dishes with you. I also love sharing stories and connecting people —I have friends all around the globe! Plus, I'm passionate about plants and nature, so I'd be more than happy to lend a hand in the garden. I'm always eager to learn new things and help out wherever I can!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Canada, Thailand, Ukraine, United States