Raya, aka 'Raya Was Here', opens up about her youth as an immigrant in America, studying abroad, breaking into the YouTube travel scene, traveling the world full time, and her public relationship with daily vlogger Louis Cole
I know people who are trying to be someone on camera because they think that’s what they should be doing, but that’s just not sustainable for me. It’s so easy for me to just turn on the camera and talk because I say the exact same things as I would to some who was just sitting in the room. That’s my number one tip for YouTubers…talk as if you were talking to your best friend and let that vulnerability come through. - Raya
Does travel seem out of reach for you? Are you looking to break into YouTube but not sure what content to create or even how to start? Or are you just out of school, contemplating your next steps, mortified of the potential debt that universities threaten and not sure where to turn? Then this interview will appeal to you.
I have been following both Raya and her partner Louis on their wild adventures for much of the year, inspired by both of their authenticity and free-spirited approach to life and travel. One of Raya's videos truly caught my eye, an honest and emotional public sharing of her personal transformation video 'How I changed my life!' , and from that moment on I knew I wanted to sit down and have a chat with her.
We just missed each other in Australia when Raya visited recently, flying into the country alongside Louis and his best mate JP, in a light plane that Louis had bought to fly around the world. Raya joined the boys, surprising Louis in Bali, and completing her stint of the trip in New Zealand, where I was able to track her down for a conversation over the phone.
It's always tough to interview over the phone, but I'm glad we connected for this call, because Raya is such a bright, intelligent and friendly woman with much to share with the world. In our conversation we dive into her upbringing as an immigrant in America, to setting off to study in the UK, to meeting Louis and uploading her first YouTube video, to life after YouTube and how she maintains a very public relationship in front of the camera.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did, and you can follow Raya via the links below.
Merry Christmas!
-Angie xx
P.S. I recorded this conversation with Raya two months ago, just a couple of days before I set off with Remy and the kids on our big 'Crossing Asia' journey. With the trip being such a whirlwind, coupled with horrendous WiFi, it has taken me longer than planned to post this chat, but I think it's timely to post it now just before you all break for Xmas and New Year's. Let Raya and her beautiful soul inspire you to achieve your own dreams and travel more in 2018.
Follow RayaWasHere
YouTube: RayaWasHere
Instagram / Twitter: @rayawashere
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rayawashere