”Join Pat, a world traveler and co-founder of StayingBee, as she shares her first solo experience on the platform in Helsinki — and how three nights on a stranger's couch turned into warm conversations, a surprise birthday party, and a friendship she didn't expect to find.”
Pat Michelena doesn't call any one place home. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, she's lived in Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, and the Philippines. For the past three years, she's been working and traveling full-time. The world, she says, is her home.
As one of the co-founders of StayingBee, Pat built the platform from lived experience. She used to be a backpacker on a budget — couchsurfing, crashing on floors, sleeping in airports. Over time, she evolved into what she now calls a "conscious traveler". Someone who cares about where her money goes, who she supports, and how she shows up in a place. Someone who wants to meet locals, learn the nuances of a culture, and find things you'd never read about on a blog — exactly what StayingBee was built for.
When it came time to experience the platform herself, she booked a stay in Helsinki.
Her host was Kim, an entrepreneur and fellow expat, just like Pat. The affordable rates and central location stood out immediately, and even though Kim was only offering a couch, Pat reached out and booked her stay.
What stood out most was Kim's warmth. She offered to meet Pat at the train station, waited for her, walked her to the apartment, and along the way shared her story, including that she owns a restaurant in Helsinki with the best vegan pho in town.
The apartment was centrally located — providing fantastic value in one of Europe’s most expensive cities. During the day, Kim and her partner worked away from home, giving Pat the place to herself. In the evenings, they swapped stories about entrepreneurship, immigration, and building a life somewhere new. The kind of conversations that happen in the comfort of a home, not a hotel lobby or hostel common room.
Then came a surprise invitation to a birthday party. Kim and her partner took her along, and most of the guests turned out to be fellow AIESECers — instant common ground. It was one of the highlights of her trip, and made her feel truly welcomed into their newfound community in Helsinki.
Pat left early the next morning, but not before leaving Kim a bottle of wine and chocolates as a thank you. And if you've tried Finnish chocolate, you know what kind of thank you it was.
For three to four nights in central Helsinki, Pat paid under €100. When asked to sum up the experience in one word, she chose "heartwarming."
Someone went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. What could have been an average trip turned into a memorable one and I left with a story.
She now considers Kim a friend, and is looking forward to catching up the next time she visits Helsinki.
For solo travelers especially, Pat is clear about what StayingBee offers. Instead of arriving somewhere alone, you arrive already knowing someone — someone who shares your values, your interests, and even your background. It's safer than Couchsurfing, more affordable than Airbnb, and more personal than a hostel. And you still get space. The connection is real, but so is the freedom to follow your own rhythm.
StayingBee isn't for everyone, Pat admits. If you prefer self-check-in and minimal interaction, hotels and Airbnbs do that better. But if you're looking for travel stories that mean something, StayingBee was built for you.
Her message to anyone on the fence is simple.
It's free to join. You don't commit to anything. What do you have to lose?
Just try it.
Join StayingBee to get started.
Patricia "Pat" Michelena is a co-founder of StayingBee and a full-time traveler originally from Caracas, Venezuela. Having lived across four continents, she travels with curiosity, intention, and a deep belief that the best souvenirs are the people.
