Raf Olayinka was born in Nigeria, and, after studying Banking and Finance, he spread his wings and crossed the Mediterranean to start a new life as an expat in Germany. It was in Bremen in 2013 that Raf started his own company, which he now operates from his home away from home, Berlin.
As an expat in a foreign country, Raf had the yearning to meet and connect with other global-minded people, and, after a recommendation from a close friend, Raf joined InterNations in 2016. After a year of attending activities and events in Berlin, he decided he wanted to get more involved, and share with other members his interest in different foods and delicacies from cultures around the world. Inspired by the idea of using cuisine to bridge gaps, celebrate diversity, and communicate culture, Raf took on a Consul position in the Berlin Street Food Group in 2017.
Since becoming Consul in February, Raf has hosted seven activities, exploring the tantalizing cuisine scene of the German capital. From African finger food to Chinese buffets, he has taken his group on a round-the-world trip through the Berlin streets. A highlight for Raf was an unforgettable dining experience he shared with members at an Indian restaurant in March. The combination of exotic flavors and groovy Bollywood beats made for a night to remember. Not to mention that he met his girlfriend, also a member of InterNations, while boogying on the dance floor.
As a professional Event Manager, Raf knows that planning ahead is essential to hosting successful events and activities. Keen to get onboard and celebrate the 10th anniversary of InterNations, he was one of our first Consuls to get his InterNations Turns 10 activity posted in his group. So what will Raf be doing to see out InterNations’ first decade? Breaking it down to Bollywood beats and reliving his favorite activity!
Have a mango lassi and a curry for us Raf, and we look forward to seeing pictures of your InterNations 10th Anniversary Dinner, Bollywood style!
Lisa Stelling works in the Community Management team here at InterNations. After growing up in faraway Australia, Lisa has come to Munich to be with her German boyfriend and immerse herself in the land of Dirndls, Lederhosen, and Bier!
The December holidays are always a special time of the year! Even if you do not celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas, you can’t help but be swept away by the holiday cheer. We have some fantastic official events and activities to get you into the holiday mood and end the year in style.
We celebrate eleven years of InterNations with official events and activities taking place across the world, from Munich to Sydney, our members have been meeting, mingling, and hitting the dancefloor. So, here’s to you and another eleven years of fun, laughter, and fantastic events!
Our Ambassadors and Consuls are already planning upcoming Halloween events for you to get the best “spooky” holiday experience you can imagine. This year, we have an especially ghoulish selection of events and activities to make your Halloween complete!
March has been a busy month for our members, with many attending InterNations Official Events. Members all over the world came together in great numbers to celebrate the ancient Irish tradition of St Patrick’s Day, while others in the Northern Hemisphere welcome the start of astronomical spring. Here’s a look at how our communities celebrated.
The holidays are often a tricky time for expats. However, there are many ways to banish the holiday blues: some of our volunteers and InterNations team members tell us how they spend this time of year away from home.