Originally from Bulgaria, Raya moved to Singapore to study at Yale-NUS College, where she majored in Global Affairs and took a deep interest in migration studies. Throughout college, Raya worked in a variety of industries, such as education, research, foreign policy, and the arts. She held leadership positions in several student organizations, including a mental health support group and a global student-led policy think-tank. In her free time, Raya enjoys visiting art exhibitions and exploring hiking trails around Singapore.