My Zimbabwe Experience

If there is one action I will never regret in my life, then I guess

that action is applying for YYAS. Not only did it change my way of

thinking, it also opened my eyes so that I saw many opportunities

around me that I  would have never seen on my own.

Firstly spending one week with Africa's most intelligent students is

one thing one can always treasure. I enjoyed the program because I got

a chance to learn new cultures as well as learn new languages. I got

to exchange views with peers of my age. This was a great thing because

I l learnt to look at things at different perspectives. I also got a

chance to showcase my piano skills with others.

I was able to meet Yale faculty who delivered mindblowing lectures

ranging from political science to information technology. These

lectures surely kept me at the edge pf the seat as I was keen to

learn.It was also was a blessing to meet university students from USA

who shared their college experience with us. This was a giant leap

ahead for me because I now know some of the things to anticipate when

I apply for college.

Before YYAS I was not good at socialising with people because I was

shy but during the course of the program, I learn so much

communication skills and made so much friends from all over Africa

that when I went back home  I was surprised with the progress I had

made in terms of socialising. I wouldn't dare to leave out the food

whenever I mention about YYAS. Words can not describe the food at YYAS. One has to experience it to know what I mean. I would certainly

recommend the YYAS to everyone for it is one awesome experience. I

would even recommend it to those who hate me,who knows they might

like me for that!

Joy Talemwa reflects on Zimbabwe 2016

My alarm went off and I jerked out of bed and run to my mum’s room. Mummy! Mummy! We need to go to the airport now, otherwise the plane will leave me! Throughout the 1 hour journey my mind was spinning and turning as worry waged in my mind about the plane living me. Finally, we reached the airport and I was right on time for check-in. Phew! I was finally settled. It was hard to say good-bye to my family and a few tears did flow down, but their eyes glowed with great pride and optimism (given their teenage daughter was flying alone for the first time). There was no backing down now!

The flight was relaxing and calming. While at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport, I met other Scholars from Kenya and immediately the fear and anxiety melted away. We started sharing and laughing about school, friends and future plans.  The journey took 6 hours and at midday, we arrived in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is such a beautiful country!  Despite its economic and political instability, the breath-taking scenery and warmth of her people outweigh the former.

Yale Young African Scholars was an intellectual, leadership building, and fun-filled 5-day experience that united talented and intelligent African young future leaders at the aesthetic Arundel School. Meeting other participants was a hilarious experience; remembering everybody’s name and nationality was studious!

As the birds hummed a morning melody and the sun’s beautiful bright rays pierced through the sky, we woke up and freshened up for the day. Breakfast was always served at 7:30 and by 8:30, we were expected to be in the lecture hall for the day’s lecture. The lectures were very interactive and enlightening presentations- by notable speakers and distinguished Yale lectures and faculty members- about various topics like Cyber Internet, Leadership and Ethics, Nostalgia for the Colonial Times, among others. Discussions then followed. These were one of my favourite parts of the program because we got to share, discuss, and even counter-argue the topics discussed in the lectures. The morning sessions were climaxed by workshops, were aspects of the common application were explained (in my workshop we always played buzz/bing before discussing!)

 A sumptuous lunch buffet awaited us at 12pm. The lunch break was one hour, during which we could have special lunch sessions with the YYAS facilitators about college life, cultural adjustments, applications, and career paths in fields like medicine and engineering. After the delicious meal, we would proceed to our seminars. All Scholars chose seminars that they wanted to participate in.  I chose Digital Footprints, Education Policy, Social Economic rights, and ‘What it means to be African?’ The debates, presentations, practical and visual methods of presenting these topics made them so interesting and easy to understand. During the program, we also had families and every-day at 2:30-3:00 pm, we met our families and played and had fun together. We got at connect at a deeper level with our family members and leaders.

A College admissions student panels, keynote speakers, a Yale mixer night, and admissions session were some other events we enjoyed throughout the week.  During admissions sessions, questions about SAT and ACT, Financial aid, majors, and college life were addressed. One the second last day,we  were separated in different project groups and tasked to develop an “Afrotopia-a new Africa.”

The last night was lit! After the group presentations (where we presented our ‘Afrotopia’ to fellow scholars) and certificate ceremony, we had a talent show. It started off with a spoken word piece and then several dance presentations followed: shoki, dubbing, nay nay, and many more dance moves were showcased in the two hour performances. Musical talent and several piano pieces and melodies were sang (the audience got to sing along too!).

Yale Young African Scholars was a life changing experience that challenged me to love my country and continent. Life-long friends from Cameroon (one participant from Cameroon was Joy Jude- we shared a name!), Nigeria, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Somalia, Somaliland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ethiopia, and Mauritius were forged. YYAS was an unforgettable experience because it was intellectually stimulating yet so engaging and fun at the same time. Advice, Insight, contacts, and selfies were shared. The Alumni of YYAS 2016 is a family of committed teenage Africans united by a love for the motherland, and driven by a passion to transform their communities by using their gifts, talents, and resources.

YYAS is the right place for any African teenager, with a love for their continent, to connect with like-minded young Africans with great visions and dreams!

My Yale Young African Scholars Programme Experience

There is nothing more rewarding and exciting than being a part of an experience that challenges you intellectually and physically and teaches you to see the world in a way you never thought possible. My time at the Yale Young African Scholars Programme was truly an incredible once in a life time opportunity.

The Yale Young African Scholars Programme (YYAS) is a highly selective week long academic and leadership programme that brings together 50 young Africans aged 14- 18 years who have the passion, talent, drive, energy and ideas to make meaningful impacts as young leaders, even before they begin their university studies. YYAS is an official program of Yale University. There is no cost to students to participate in the Yale Young African Scholars Program.

My initial experience at YYAS was quite daunting. On the first day we were all given a bag, containing a huge binder file with seminar notes, a notebook and a pen. It is then I realised that this was not a holiday, I was here to work. Furthermore I was one of the eldest participants and thought I would find the younger participants annoying, but surprisingly I realised that when you are surrounded by people/children so brilliant and so driven to make a positive impact on the continent and share similar interest with you, then age is no barrier.

YYAS somewhat mimicked life at university as we had assignments, group projects, lectures and seminars everyday.  Each day started with breakfast at 8am and sleep time at midnight. But nonetheless we were well fed and always looked forward to what the day had to offer! Throughout the week I got to participate in seminars conducted by current Yale students who were just as excited to teach us as we were excited to be taught by them. There was a wide variety of seminars we could attend, all with topics of great interest such as Photography, Africa’s role in the United Nations, Whether we should Consume Genetically Modified foods, Femininsm etc. The Yale students also shared with us how life is at Yale, especially as an African student and they offered one to one sessions on applying to universites in the US.

I also had the honour of attending lectures taught by current Yale professors and faculty members- mind you these faulty members kindly flew in from the US just to teach us for 2hours. The lectures where absolutely incredible and encouraged an interactive atmosphere. Everyone expressed their views freely.

There was also a Yale Mixer Night, were we got the honour to mingle with Yale Alumni and alumni from other US colleges. I enjoyed this night thoroughly because I got to appreciate the art of networking and the importance of establishing contacts for future purposes. The advice most of the Yale Faculty/students/visitors shared with us during that evening was the importance of not forgetting where you come from, following your heart and taking the path less taken. Though that road may be rough it will be the most fruitful. For example one of our Yale lectures told us that she dropped out of Harvard Medical School to pursue her love for Anthropology. Furthermore, nurture your strengths and do not take them for granted because fostering them can lead to genius abilities.

Thirty African countries were represented in this programme. That’s a whole lot of languages! Every day, I made it my aim to learn a phrase or two in other African languages and I came back with an immense knowledge on the different customs and cultures of this beautiful continent we reside in.

By the time this programme drew to an end I had learnt a lot about myself and gained a greater appreciation for not only my country but the richness and diversity of Africa. I also realised that we as young Africans have the power and ability to find new solutions to Africa’s problems and the world’s problems and that it is our responsibility to do so.

This programme has given me a zest for life, a go-getter attitude and a made me believe that I can truly do anything I set my mind to. Furthermore if you want to go far in life and succeed in whatever you do, you should take with you people who will guide you, push you, inspire you to do great and allow you to see greatness in yourself.

YYAS is an excellent programme and I highly encourage those eligible to apply do so by visiting their website, africanscholars.yale.edu or see me for more information. Applications are now open and entries close on 31 March 2016.

- Mabedi Sennanyana L6L

My YYAS Experience

Applying to the YYAS program was one of the best decisions I have ever made. All the different lectures and seminars really changed my perspectives on a lot of concepts and issues, and some even forced me to rethink my preset goals and aspirations. It was an intellectually meaningful experience to be able to attend lectures by renowned Yale professors and individuals who were great experts in their fields. Another thing I truly value about the YYAS experience is the community. I got to meet an amazing group of people who came from all over Africa. I became educated in the lives and cultures of each one of my peers. I made a lot of friends, some of which I'm still in contact with. I also gained a lot of insight into the college application process. You'll find there is always someone who will gladly help you with any questions you may have. It is with sincere confidence that I say the experience was formative and very valuable, and I strongly encourage everyone to apply.