My biggest dream is to become a documentary filmmaker or a photojournalist. I want to tell stories that matter—real stories about real people from different corners of the world. My first big goal is to get into a good university, maybe here in Poland or somewhere else in Europe, to study media and communications. Short-term, I just want to get my driver's license (the test is so scary!) and save up enough money to go on an interrail trip across Europe with my best friends this summer. Long-term, I dream of having my own small apartment in a vibrant city, filled with plants and books, and working on projects that I'm truly passionate about. Oh, and I'd love to be fluent in at least three languages!

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. Toxic positivity. It's okay to have a bad day and feel your feelings. You don't always have to "look on the bright side." When my phone battery dies right when I need to use Google Maps. It’s the ultimate modern-day panic. Rude customers in the café where I work part-time. A little kindness and patience go a long way

Hey, I'm Shelly! I'm an 18-year-old girl from the beautiful and sometimes chaotic city of Kraków, Poland. 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'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. Finding new music. I'm always on the hunt for new indie artists. My Spotify playlists are my treasure, and I love sharing songs that feel like they were written just for me. Polish mountains in the winter. There's nothing like a trip to the Tatra Mountains. The air is so fresh, the views are breathtaking, and it feels like a reset for my soul. The smell of old books. Whether it's in a library or a second-hand bookstore, that smell is just pure comfort. Coffee with oat milk. My essential fuel for getting through the day.