Z'drast-vouille-thé! My name is Valeria and I am a Russian-Moldovan gal based in Montréal, Canada.
I came here to live and study in 2007 in my mid-teens and grew up surrounded with many different cultures and values coming from my international friends and this is how I've wound up on Couch Surfing.
I have a Translation bachelor degree specialized in in English/French/Spanish but my other passion has become a career, which is hospitality. I love my job and am not planning to move back to translation anytime... yet?
I’m a big fan of language-learning, and decided to start studying multiple languages since high school back in Russia/Moldova and even more so when I came to Montréal. I’ll be honest–Russian is nothing like the Spanish, Romanian or French I took in high school–but that’s what makes it so great. Studying other Roman languages as well as German and Korean has taught me how awesome it can be to learn a language so unlike my native Russian. Hence why I am so interested and passionate about travelling- it's a great way to share your story and hear about so many, many others.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Human interaction is something money cannot buy and the way you tell your story can say volumes about you and attract souls with similar vibes and ideas. I am a firm believer that no amount of technology can replace the warmth of sharing a cup of coffee or a pint of lager in a loud local bar.
I have educated myself a lot with multiple readings on other surfers' experiences and I fully support CS values but sadly I don't have any references or CS stories to tell yet, but I am very willing to learn through experience!

Interests

Frankly, it changes so much so quickly that I cannot keep track of myself at this point. Recently, I have gotten myself back to reading short surrealistic novels (such as by Julio Cortázar) and discovered audio books and ASMR. Turns out I have an addiction to the latter.
I am a pescatarian but I am trying to not eat fish as much. I adore animals and I am slowly working my way to going completely plant based.
I am an elastic fat-ass. Translation, I adore yoga but still tend to move as little as I can. Some days , I am full of energy and go for a run and push-ups, but sadly it is not the case for every day life.

• cats
• wine
• yoga
• live music
• vegetarianism
• drinking coffee

Music, Movies, and Books

Bjork, Tamaryn, David Bowie, The Cure, The Strokes.
David Cronenberg, Dario Argento, Gregg Araki, Hong sang-soo, David Lynch, Nicolas Winding Refn, Safdie brothers.
Anything William Burroughs, Frederic Beigbeder and Nelly Arcan. Love, love, love Harry Potter.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd practice eng/fr/esp/rus with you anytime.
In return, I'd help you around the house! I'd also ask what's your favorite local or native dish and how do you cook it.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'd cook for you! or make you a smoothie! or do yoga with you in the morning! or all of the above :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Jamaica, Netherlands, Romania, Russian Federation, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Moldova, Russian Federation