"I've listened to other motivational speakers but Rachel's speech hit home."

Bethel Gebremariam
Ethiopia

Associate Director for Africa, Rachel Nyaradzo Adams

I came to YYAS expecting a grueling schedule, humorless instructors, basically a school environment minus the fun. But that is so far from the truth.

Yes, we have a grueling schedule. Yeah, I'm losing two hours of sleep but all the lectures, seminars, workshops, and project groups are actually very fun. I had my first seminar yesterday about water power. I expected a dull session but it was actually very engaging!

Don't even get me started on Rachel Adams! I've listened to other motivational speakers but Rachel's speech hit home. The workshops are so extremely helpful. I think the problem in Ethiopia and many other African countries, I assume, is that information does not circulate; it's hard to get the word out. I wish my friends were here with me but unfortunately, they're not. So i'll try to pass on what I've learned and help them as YYAS has done for me. Speaking about friends, I have met so many interesting people. I've made wonderful friends, like my roommate - she's awesome!

I want to conclude by saying thank you so much YYAS Team, and please, please, PLEASE return next year and help young aspirers in Africa with their applications and everything, basically.

p.s. I hope Eno will sing for us at the talent show :)

"It was transformative. It was new and fresh. It was revolutionary."

Leiya Salis

First day at YYAS!

Ghana

“Wow. What was that?”

Those were the first words I uttered as my dad`s red KIA rolled out of Yiri Lodge, hopping into the busy streets of Accra. The YYAS program was more than a rigorous summer program. It was transformative. It was new and fresh. It was revolutionary. Yes, I am a lover of fancy, dramatic words, but this time I am not exaggerating.

When I entered the doors of Yiri Lodge that blessed Monday afternoon, I was but a teenage girl, yearning for something to spice up my summer. I was hungry for real food and brain food. When I left however, something in me had changed. You all noticed it. The twinkle in our eyes, the flame burning in our hearts. You all felt it. YYAS kindled the passionate African in us in a mere week. Whether it was through the seminars and project groups, or just the simple interactions I had in the New Lounge, every single word I exchanged with anyone during the program fueled my intellectual development.

Kweku Awotwi, Founder, African Precious Minerals Ltd.

Kweku Awotwi was right when he said “Africa is a great place once you get to see it.” Now I see it. And I cannot wait till we can make it even better.

"I can't begin to imagine the depth of cultural, political and economic understanding I will leave this program with."

Maame Akua Kome-Mensah
Ghana

It is just so much to take in!

I had extremely high expectations of the program, and so far what I have experienced has greatly surpassed them! I have met extremely intelligent people who are tremendously successful in their fields, and I have rubbed brains with some of the most vibrant and funniest teenagers. It is cool how we are all completely relaxed but at the same time extremely focused.

I have discovered a lot about Yale through interactions with the YYAS staff and their love for the institution is evident in the stories they share with us.

I can't begin to imagine the depth of cultural, political and economic understanding I will leave this program with.

"Refreshed, energized and highly motivated"

Jemima Orevaoghene
Ghana


Being a Yale Young African Scholar has undoubtedly been the best part of my Summer. We were all so fiercely passionate about Africa and driven to fight for change and development. It was an opportunity to meet with some of the continent's brightest thinkers and analysts. The best thing I have taken away from this program is that it's okay for someone else to have a different opinion from you and you neither need to convince the person nor argue over the issue; but like mature intellectuals, you realize that every issue may have two or more solid points of view which deserve to be heard. Refreshed, Energized and Highly Motivated, I am PROUD to call myself a Yale Young African Scholar!