What I'm doing every day is trying to make other people feel comfortable and welcomed in my city and my country. I help them learn local culture (quite a rich one, I must say!) and local traditions. Sometimes they feel excited and delighted about coming to my country, sometimes - embarassed, confused, puzzled and even shocked. But they are always curious and friendly, and that's what motivates me. My job is to make them smile and feel safe while they are here and have warm memories in their hearts when they leave Russia. And I know I can contribute to it. They are international exchange students. And I am their helping hand.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Since I've been living in Saint Petersburg I've met many people from all over the world, coming here via AIESEC projects or some other students communities/internship programs. And lots of those people were - and still are - couchsurfers. Then I thought that I could also travel to find some new friends, meet the old ones, and, for sure, I always have something to offer those who are traveling to Saint Petersburg!

Interests

Music. I would actually say MUSIC.
Before I graduated from the university (i.e. in my previous life) I played violin and piano. Unfortunately, now I only have a rare opportunity to practice, but playing piano is still my favourite way of meditation and relaxation. I also try not to miss any big rock gigs in my place.
And I still cannot go outside without charging my player first.
The best thing I could ever thought of is finding myself in some great place with breathtaking view (montain top?.. ocean shore?..) with my favourite music in my headphones.
Learning new langauges is also my great passion. I have learnt them at school, on my own, at university as a part of my major, at the evening courses... and I guess I will never stop. I enjoy translating texts (preferably - English-Russian). It's a paradox, but it calms me down.

• culture
• education
• meditation
• traveling
• music
• piano
• violin
• teaching
• history
• law

Music, Movies, and Books

I respect rock of all kinds, especially alternative rock, post-grunge, progressive and post hardcore. Good dancing music in limited portions is also fine with me. Sure, classical music is a significant part of my life as well.
More precisely: Lostprophets, Placebo, P.O.D., Staind, Three Days Grace, Story of the Year, Pleymo, Redlight King, Porcupine Tree, Nine Inch Nails, Paper Route, The 1975. And if you are a Linkin Park fan then we will definitely become friends ;)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Walked alone through the field at night many kilometres away from the nearest populated area. Watched the rising sun from a top of a mountain. Swam in Black Sea in November. Dived with an aqualung.

What I Can Share with Hosts

- Red caviar
- Lessons of Russian (I always wanted to start teaching my mother tongue those who are not native speakers, and I have learned some methodics as my major was education, and I have taught English, so we can try!)
- Some good music from my country according to your taste
- Pictures of Northern Lights (yes, I've seen it many times in the place where I was born)
- Postcards with beautiful views of Saint Petersburg and maybe some other cities
- Thrilling stories about white Greenland baby seals or about the darkest years of the Soviet Union history (at your choice)

Countries I’ve Visited

Belarus, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation