A Game Changer: The YYAS Program

     

    I'm Mbun Tangwe Ryan. An 18-year old final year high school student in and from Cameroon. If you're like me then you know that Education is a human right that too few people (especially us Africans) enjoy. I believe we as Africans have the power to change that narrative.

Education is classified into Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary (university and beyond) education.    

• Many African students have what it takes to access the tertiary education they desire and deserve, but still, many of us still find ourselves stranded in that area because we lack the necessary information we need to get us where we dream to be. We lack knowledge on the world of work, education options, and we need career guidance.  

The Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) program was born to solve such issues and many more. It is a cost-free intensive academic enrichment and leadership program designed for African secondary school students who have demonstrated high academic potential and show interest in community engagement with a passion for Africa's growth. It is organized by Yale University and Funded by Higher Life Foundation. 

The program Lasts a week-long and generally takes place in 3 different sessions held in 3 different African countries i.e Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. Where each applicant chooses a location preference and attends only one of the sessions. It;

• Exposes Students To University Level Academics And Career Guidance. 
• Introduces Students To University Admission And Financial Aid Application Processes. 
• Inspires Students To Be Engaged Leaders In Their Community And Facilitates A Network Of Peers From Across Africa.

• In 2020, YYAS had 387 participants from 39 different African countries in the first-ever online version of the program (due to the Covid-19 pandemic).

I happen to be among the 387 participants who were admitted and attended the YYAS 2020 Online Session. 

The program left an indelible mark in my life, Academically and Professionally.

 

Here's what happened:

•     First off, the fact that the program was online implies that we needed a reliable internet connection to be present virtually. YYAS partnered up with some local Internet Service Providers to grant internet access to participants in some countries like Zimbabwe, but over here in Cameroon... we had to find our way out, which was quite tough. (Video conferencing takes internet connection for breakfast).

•     I totally understand because that was the first-ever online version of the program. I believe the YYAS team will find a way to reach out to all the 2021 participants in that area.

•     During the program, some Yale students as instructors facilitated small discussion-based classes in the form of Seminars and SDG Seminars ( which ate interdisciplinary stand-alone classes that are designed and taught by Yale undergraduate and graduate students on various academic topics related to the African Continent), which allowed us, students, to experience what it's like to think critically in a university classroom, engaging with difficult material and engaging with peers from across the continent. {Imagine being in a classroom with students from all across the continent...}
•     YYAS fostered a sense of confidence in me and reinforced to me that I too have what it takes to be able to access the tertiary education I deserve. I was exposed to the many opportunities available both in and out of Africa, for which African students are eligible but ignorant. { African students should step up deem themselves capable of competing with students from abroad.}

•     We met with admissions officers and representatives from prominent universities and pre-university programs among which were (Johns Hopkins Unversity, Rice University, Sciences Po, Amory University, Minerva Schools, and Columbia University) all out of Africa, (Ashesi University, the African Leadership University, and the African Leadership Academy) based in Africa. They enlightened us about what courses they offer, how to get admission into them, and together with the program staff and instructional staff, they gave us a whole course on financial aid acquisition steps and requirements.

•     Through the program, we received a tutoring lesson on standardized test preparation, designed specifically for African test-takers new to exams like the SAT (An entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.). I left the program with access to additional material and resources that I'm currently using to enhance my test-taking skills.

•     We were equally walked through Holland's Theory Of Career Choice i.e RASIEC during which we were well oriented on whether to venture into a [Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, or a Conventional] career path based on our response to an accurate online personality quiz we took. 

• I took home the following quote "A Musician must Make Music, a Poet must Write, and a Painter must Paint if he is to be at peace with himself. What a man Can Be, he Must Be" ~Abraham Maslow

•     We chatted with Entrepreneur Isaac Sessi, founder and CEO of Sessi Technologies. From him, I learned that no matter where you are, the best time to start is now. In order to survive in the entrepreneurial world, you need to find those who believe in you and find the right people to work with.

• "Start with your Motivation and your Why. Pursue Excellence and Success will follow you literally Pants Down." ~Isaac Sessi

Surely you're already having a depiction of how great the program is. To me, great is an understatement

•  The program was so much fun, enriching, impactful and as if that was not enough, the mentorship doesn't end when the program ends. At the end of the program, each participant that is willing is paired up with a mentor, based on school context or academic interest, who will serve as one of the many resources available to YYAS alumni throughout their university admissions process. YYAS volunteer mentors are current or recently graduated university students who provide the necessary post-program support that will make YYAS participants stronger university applicants. {Breath-Taking}

• In a nutshell, the program creates awareness and increases the knowledge base of African students in making their decisions in accessing Universities, and creates a diverse network of like-minded individuals across the continent. In me, it fostered a sense of commitment and responsibility to my community and continent. 

• Eligible applicants are Africans between 14 and 18 years old and who after the YYAS program will be left with at least a year before graduating from high school. 

To you who is eligible and whom I hope will attend the YYAS 2021 session, Get This:

As was pronounced at the beginning of YYAS 2021, be Proud to be an African. You're in a blessed continent. Learn about your history. Keep Africa at heart. Try to figure out ways to help the continent. Don't be afraid of failure, don't be shy, challenge yourself.

Be present, try and take in as much as you can, think critically, Think about how the knowledge you've learned can be deployed to help yourself and the continent.

 What are you waiting for? application dateline is February 16, 2021, at 11:59PM. Apply online at africanscholars.yale.edu

I'm gonna leave us with some tips:

-African youths should deem themselves capable of competing with the youths from abroad.

-Youths should find who is where they aspire to be, and try to connect with them.[Job Shaddowing]. -Know what you want, do your research.

-Africa can only grow when we transition from a continent of ideas to a continent of products and services.

-All our goals are great, but we need to have ACTION, PURPOSE, and a GAME-PLAN.

-Get out of your comfort zone and work your ass off. Someone once said: "If all it took was knowledge, we'd all be billionaires with six-pack abs"

-There is no extra time, therefore, whatever you do now, do it the best way, the first time. Don't have time for plan B. Make plan A the best.

-Decide to be smart, to be a problem solver. Problem solvers are in short supply in this world. If you decide to be one, there'll be a place for you.

-There's a place for you at the top.

#Spread The Word

#Bringing Africa into the next era

#YYAS is forever

Author Information: 

    Mbun Tangwe Ryan. 

-YYAS 2021 Alumni.

-Certified Peer Educator by the Presbyterian Education Authority Cameroon.

-Director Of Contents, LENJVAL Technologies.

-Contact: mbuntangwe@gmail.com