AbOUT tHE Author
Alena Zhdanava
Curiosity has always been my compass. What began as an ordinary childhood in Belarus, turned into an extraordinary journey across the globe. I grew up believing in the traditional formula for happiness – study hard, earn a degree, find a stable job – but the first time I set foot abroad, everything changed. I discovered how vast, complex, and beautifully diverse the world truly is, and I’ve been exploring it ever since.
My Mission
I write to explore what it means to belong – to a place, to a moment, to ourselves. Through my years of travel, I’ve discovered that home isn’t always a single destination on the map; sometimes it’s a fleeting sunrise, a shared story, or that quiet feeling of being exactly where you’re meant to be. My mission is to transform the miles I’ve traveled into stories that awaken something in others: the courage to go, the curiosity to see the world differently, and the passion to live a life that truly feels like your own.
My Book
Finding Myself Elsewhere
When Alena’s burning desire to explore the world and experience foreign cultures takes told, she leaves her home country of Belarus. Sustained by her thirst to acquire knowledge through studying, and a willingness to work at many different jobs, she takes every opportunity to travel to as many countries as possible.
Traveling alone does not daunt her, neither does working or studying in strange lands. But will living in eight different countries and traveling to dozens more across five continents, bring her to the place where she finally has a true sense of belonging?
Coming Soon
Upcoming Books
When Heart Finds Home
When Alena’s plan to pursue a PhD suddenly falls apart upon moving to Malaysia, following her Master’s in South Korea and an internship in Australia, she refuses to give up. Instead, she embraces a new opportunity, taking a teaching position at a language center in Kuala Lumpur. While working, she seizes every chance to travel, exploring Southeast Asia and immersing herself in its vibrant cultures, landscapes, and adventures. With each new country, her thirst for discovery grows stronger, and soon she’s planning a grand journey across South and North America. But just as she feels ready to leave Malaysia, destiny intervenes with a newfound love. Now, torn between wanderlust and romance, will Alena choose to stay – or leave it all behind?
Roam and Return
My Travel Videos
Watch more on my Channel
As I travel around the world, I capture the heart of every place I visit – the sights, sounds, people, and of course, the vegan flavors that make each destination unique. My videos bring to life the experiences I write about in my travel memoirs, offering a front-row seat to the cultures, adventures, and reflections that shape my journeys. Whether it’s wandering through hidden streets, tasting local dishes, or pausing to reflect on life along the way, these moments invite you to see the world through my eyes – and maybe discover a little more about yourself too.
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Life, Travel & Memoir Blog
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Where You Can Find ME
Phones
+1 (234) 567-89-90
contact@alenazhdanava.com
Address
99 Copthorne Way