Hi, I’m Maria – nice to meet you!
I’m 26 and originally from Minsk, Belarus. After the 2020 elections and everything that followed, I made the tough but necessary move to Vilnius, Lithuania, which has become my home.

I work as a lawyer in corporate consulting – sounds fancy, but honestly, it’s not that serious. Outside of work, I’m all about creativity and community. I play piano and ukulele, and I love to sing – I used to be in a choir! I’m not a big fan of gyms (who is?), but I’m always up for volleyball, ice skating, table tennis or dancing around like nobody’s watching.

I’m a feminist and social activist. Community means a lot to me, whether that’s through cultural exchange, deep convos, or just swapping stories over tea.

I’m super curious about the world, always up for a new adventure, postcard exchange, or meaningful discussion. Couchsurfing, for me, is not just about travel – it’s about people, connection, and learning from each other.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It’s not just a couch – it’s a window into someone’s world.
I’m here for the human side of travel – the connections, the conversations, the feeling of being somewhere new but strangely familiar thanks to a kind host.

❗️Couchsurfing is not Tinder. I am not looking for any kind of romance either from hosts, guests or people I meet. Please let’s respect each other’s safety and privacy.

Interests

• cats
• culture
• singing
• politics
• movies
• music
• swimming
• history
• feminism
• postcards
• musical instruments

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies & Series
🎬 No horror for me, thanks!
I’m into drama, fantasy, thrillers, and clever action – think Nolan, Guy Ritchie, and some Marvel too.
I unapologetically watched all the Twilight films – sometimes cringe, always iconic.
Favorite actors: Henry Cavill and Robert Pattinson.
Recent binges: The Witcher, Ozark, Stranger Things, True Detective
All-time favs: The Mentalist (obsessed), HIMYM, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, The Crown
Also a sucker for period dramas and the occasional musical (Phantom of the Opera will forever be top-tier).

Books
📚 Give me historical fiction and romance and I’m happy.
Angelique – my forever favorite
Rebecca, Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice – classic queens
Also love some YA magic like Percy Jackson, ACOTAR
Basically, anything with strong characters, deep emotions, and a bit of adventure.

Music
🎧 My playlists are a mix of moody, powerful, and dramatic.
Big fan of epic movie soundtracks (Hans Zimmer supremacy), dark pop, and indie vibes.
My vibe can go from Lana Del Rey to Imagine Dragons to The Greatest Showman soundtrack in one ride.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've taught myself how to play the ukulele

Teach, Learn, Share

🌍 Let’s trade stories, ideas, and random fun facts.
I love learning about people’s cultures, ways of thinking, and everyday lives – from cooking tricks to philosophical debates over coffee (or wine).
I can teach you some Russian, help you plan a trip, talk pop culture or politics.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share some traditional belarusian recipes (although I am not really into cooking 😂)
I can give some tips about Vilnius and Minsk too :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belarus, Germany, Lithuania