I was born and raised in Moscow, studied politics for my bachelors, and had to leave Russia in 2022 due to safety concerns. Since then, I've lived in Georgia and Turkey, before settling in Bergen, Norway — the gateway to the fjords and the prettiest city on Earth. It's been three years since I've seen home, though, and I miss it dearly.

Though I studied social sciences, I've worked in different fields — as a journalist for independent media and as a UX designer in fintech, edtech, and advertising. I can talk about politics (hardly a surprise), tech, fashion, coffee, design, journalism, movies, and some other stuff. I love English football, hiking, sad white girl music, and taking photos with my phone.

I openly oppose the current Russian regime and the war it wages. I'm also comfortable talking about it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

After moving to Scandinavia, I've been struggling with loneliness. I've gone on a few solo trips around Europe, but I always reach a point where I miss having someone to talk to. I can afford Airbnbs, but I'd rather stay with locals and thank them properly — with money, dinners out, or by sharing good experiences together.

Also, I'm that guy who uses Reddit to learn things about places. Talking to actual people would make it even better.

Interests

• coffee
• politics
• technology
• music
• hiking
• history
• journalism
• cinema
• football
• mobile photography

Music, Movies, and Books

My absolute favourites are Inglorious Bastards and American Beauty. Honourable mentions include Argo, Her, Atonement, Seven, 12 Angry Man, Whiplash, The Departed, The Social Network, and Match Point.

I'm hardly special at TV shows: The Office, Breaking Bad, House of Cards, Top Gear, The Newsroom, Fargo, Chernobyl, The Crown, Peaky Blinders, Gravity Falls, Black Mirror, Game of Thrones (-2 last seasons).

I listen to everything. Hip-hop (Tyler, Kendrick, Mac Miller, Macklemore); white girl music (Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, billie eilish); classical (Beethoven 7th and Max Richter, but also movie soundtracks); Russian hip-hop and pop, Presley/Beatles/Sinatra/Bee Gees/Celentano. In high school I loved Sum 41, Green Day, Linkin Park and Imagine Dragons.

I don't get to read much books with my tiktok attention span. I've read the Russian classics, some Hemingway and Austen, history and politics, and some ah successfull people productivity books.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I traveled across six cities in March 2020, when the world was falling apart. I arrived to Cambridge, London, NYC, Chicago, Madison, London again and back to Edinburgh, and every city announced their lockdown the next day.

I've seen these places empty and soulless. Not so much for ordinary tourism, but a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sure.

Teach, Learn, Share

Anything, really. I feel like I had a good education, packed life, and had to make some tough decisions. I usually never run out of things to talk to, but, hope, have enough social awareness to avoid being too much.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Caring is my love language. Thoughtful gestures, restaurant dinners on me, and always making sure the host is comfortable with my presence.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belarus, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Georgia, Norway, Russian Federation, Turkey, United Kingdom