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Organised by the Digital Explorers students together with Tallinn University’s International Club, the event created a lively and welcoming atmosphere on campus and gave fellow students and staff a chance to experience Kenyan hospitality first-hand.

The evening invited guests to engage with Kenyan culture in an interactive and joyful way. Participants danced to popular songs, learned words in Swahili and Sheng, explored cultural references through games and conversations, and enjoyed Kenyan food prepared and served by the students. Ugali, kachumbari, beef stew, and hot masala tea turned the gathering into an immersive experience that connected taste, sound, and social exchange.

One of the main organisers, Alvin Ruto, reflected on the idea behind the event: “Our goal was to make people feel Kenya - through the music, food, language, and shared experiences. It was intense behind the scenes, but seeing everyone fully immerse themselves, from dancing to trying new traditions, made it all worth it. By the end of the night, it wasn’t just an event - it was a shared cultural experience, and that’s exactly what we set out to create.”

Alongside food and music, the students also introduced different aspects of Kenyan identity, including language, popular culture, and a short documentary segment highlighting the Orpul, a sacred Maasai gathering centred on connection, rhythm, and belonging.

Cindy Tumaini, one of the Digital Explorers involved in the evening, described it as a successful introduction to Kenyan culture and hospitality for many participants: “Guests had the chance to dance, try Kenyan food, gain new knowledge, and even learn a few words. I believe it was a very fun and truly authentic experience.”

The event also reflected how well the group has already become part of university life. Ingrid Hinojosa, Incoming Mobility Senior Specialist at Tallinn University, noted that the Kenyan Cultural Evening was part of a wider series of events introducing the cultures and backgrounds of international students to the university community. “This time the Explorers teamed up with the International Club and the result was an event with a real Kenyan vibe, with authentic decorations and music, incredibly delicious, truly finger-licking food. I am very happy to see how Digital Explorers have been received with open arms by our International Club and TLU buddies and how well the Explorers have adapted to university life and made good friends among other students in just a month.”

The evening highlighted an important part of the Digital Explorers experience at Tallinn University: the programme is not only about studies and internships, but also about cultural exchange, community, and building meaningful connections. By creating space for students to share their own backgrounds and traditions, events like this help strengthen the sense of belonging on campus and make internationalisation visible in a very human way.

Special thanks go to the student organisers and contributors who made the evening possible, especially Alvin, Leon, Nelius, Ian, Kevin, Myles, Raychelle, and Catherine, as well as the Tallinn University buddies and the International Club team, including Marta, Izabele, Martin, Sofiia, Kersti, and intern Gemma.

The “Digital Explorers II” programme is implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union, contracted by ICMPD through the Mobility Partnership Facility, and delivered by a consortium led by the Lithuanian think-and-do tank OSMOS Global Partnerships, in cooperation with the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and the Latvian Startup Association Startin.LV.