I want to travel cheaply to countries where I could get by on english, tips?

I'm a college student, I'm female, and I'd have someone by my side the whole time. I'm willing to live in hostiles, couch surf (if the people have been approved), that sort of thing. I'm a vegetarian, so it'd be nice if I were in a slightly veg-friendly area. I can speak basic Russian. Any tips would be nice, as far as living/packing/eating/getting from place to place. Thanks!