Hey, I'm Shelly! I'm an 18-year-old girl from Moldova. I just finished high school last spring, and to be completely honest, I'm in that weird, exciting, and slightly terrifying phase of figuring out what's next. I live with my parents and my little brother, who can be the most annoying person on the planet but also the one who makes me laugh the hardest. I'm a pretty typical Polish girl in some ways—I love my grandma's pierogi, I have a solid group of friends I've known since kindergarten, and I get overly emotional during national holidays. But I also love exploring things beyond my own backyard. I'm super passionate about languages and cultures, and I dream of traveling the world to see them all for myself. I consider myself a hopeful realist; I know life isn't a fairy tale, but I firmly believe that with a bit of courage and a lot of hard work, amazing things can happen.

The golden hour in the city. There's something magical about how Kraków looks just before sunset. The light is perfect for taking photos, and the whole city feels calm and romantic. Deep talks with friends. I love those late-night conversations where you end up solving all the world's problems and sharing your deepest secrets. It’s the best feeling.

Judgmental people. Life is hard enough without people criticizing others for being themselves. The pressure to have your whole life figured out. I'm 18, everyone! Stop asking me about my "definite life plan"! Public transportation during rush hour. Being squished like a sardine is not my idea of a good time.