Annika is a certified Intercultural Trainer and Researcher and the founder of Intercultural Connections, dedicated to promoting intercultural dialogue among global youth. 

She holds an Erasmus Mundus Double Master's Degree in Global Studies from Ghent University and the University of Vienna. 

She also has a Double Bachelor’s Degree in Intercultural Management and Latin American Studies from the University of Passau and the Universidad del Salvador. 

She has led workshops in various countries and has worked with organisations such as OECD, the German Center for International Peace Operations and the UNESCO MGIEP, focusing on social and emotional learning for youth waging peace. 

Lin's journey includes impactful experiences in international programs, notably the New York Academy of Sciences Junior Academy, where she discovered the power of cross-cultural collaboration and teamwork. As the only non-native English speaker in her group, Lin embraced the challenges, transforming them into opportunities for growth and actively contributing to her team’s research efforts. Through this, she gained skills that blend both STEM and the humanities, enhanced by her experience as a two-year volunteer instructor for English 4 Skills.

Her background as a youth leader and community representative has cultivated her resilience, adaptability, and readiness to learn and share. Now, through this exchange program, Lin aims to expand her understanding of global perspectives and strengthen her skills to better serve her community in Myanmar.

Shafaullah Bashary Hotak

 Community Coordinator

Shafaullah Bashary Hotak is dedicated to fostering intercultural dialogue, promoting refugee integration, and advocating for human rights. With experience in administration, project assistant and community engagement across Germany, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, he has coordinated events, supported international students, and facilitated workshops for asylum seekers and refugees through volunteering and work experience and mentored to empower marginalised communities through education and guidance. He is skilled in cross-cultural communication, and Shafaullah is committed to building inclusive and supportive environments. He holds a Master’s in Governance & Public Policy as a DAAD Scholar.

Programme Coordinator

Oumaima is a civil society activist with a strong passion for gender equality and supporting women's empowerment across various spheres. 

She is the founder of we.tamkeen, a platform that empowers women by providing resources on entrepreneurship, mental health, and financial literacy. 

She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Culture and Gender Studies. Her work spans digital marketing, e-learning facilitation, and leading youth initiatives focused on social change and gender equality.

Events Coordinator

Stephen is a finalist student at the University of Agder, Norway, pursuing a Master’s in Global Development and Planning. 

As a former exchange student, he spent a year in Norway, including an internship in Oslo and studied at Hald Internasjonale Skole, where he earned a vocational diploma in Cross-Cultural Understanding and International Work. 

He has a background in youth work in Kenya and is passionate about sustainable development and facilitating youth-focused activities. He has experience in hosting trainings and meetings.