An astounding week experience at YYAS, by Brian Matlejoane

I am Brian Matlejoane from South Africa. I really feel honoured to have been one of the 300 participants who attended the Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) programme out of a pool of about 2000 applicants throughout Africa. I attended the programme at the Tema International School, in Ghana. This is indeed my highlight of the year 2017, let alone the fact that it was my first leaving my home country.

A picture with my fellow South Africans

The journey had never been easier. I was introduced to this programme by my Grade 10 Life Science teacher. The fact that the YYAS is not just an intensive academic programme but also a leadership programme particularly for African Students intrigued me even more. I can still remember my reaction when I first saw acceptance email after a nervous waiting period.  I have never shouted ‘yes’ like that in my entire life, I grabbed the attention of everyone at home in just a matter of seconds. I appreciate the support of my mentor, the school and family (especially my parents)

If anyone was to ask me about YYAS, I would tell them that it is more than just an intensive academic and leadership programme. It comes with an unimaginable experience, a platform to build lifelong relationships with other African high school students. Beyond that, it provides a platform to learn about university applications, African history itself and other people around Africa as well.

Basically we were introduced to how we can apply to American universities via the Common App, we had SAT test preparation for almost every day throughout the week of which the SAT test was something new to me. Interestingly we had to choose over a wide range of seminars which ones we prefer. I attended some of the most fascinating seminars and even up to this day, I can still remember what they were about. We also attended lectures from different professors who made us feel engaged in their topics of presentation beyond keeping us informed. The lectures were eye opening and even informative as well.

Captured while attending a lecture 

And of course, how can I forget the workshop sessions to wrap up each and every day and the discussion sections which were meant to further engage or rather indulge in matters concerns lectures and build up our own views and opinions constructively. There were amazing Yale undergraduates who guided us every step of the journey, they mentored us and gave us more than a glimpse of what university life is like. Not forgetting the representatives or rather administration officers of different American universities and even from Africa whom did exceptionally well in providing us with all the relevant information we needed and answering our questions. I could not have missed the opportunity to speak to them and the mentors we had. Last but not least, we had a talent show for anyone to showcase what they are good at to close off the programme.

My workshop group

To me YYAS was also about self-introspection. It did not only help to increase my leadership skills and procure my academic wellbeing positively but also challenged me to become a better person and leader in my community. It taught me the value of establishing good work ethic within myself. I shall forever be grateful for this opportunity because it had also shaped me to be who I am today.

Free time 

A journey worth traveling is surely a journey worth fighting for. I strongly recommend YYAS to every African high school student out there, especially those looking for a life time experience.