YYAS Program Content

Seminars and SDG Seminars

Seminars are college-level, interdisciplinary, standalone classes taught by Yale University students on various topics relating to the African continent, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). These seminar-style classes offer a taste of what they will experience in a university learning environment. Past seminars have included:

  • Water for Wellness, an SDG Seminar
  • Language and its Effects on Our Behavior
  • Afro-Innovation, an SDG Seminar
  • Why Do We Sleep?
  • Foreign Aid in Africa

Workshops

Yale University instructors lead small groups of students through various activities designed to develop strong bonds with peers from around Africa through identity reflection, courageous conversations, active listening, and fun social activities.

Career Guidance

Career guidance exposes students to different career pathways through interactive talks led by prominent professionals in their field. For example, during the residential program we have hosted a panel discussion with entrepreneurs discussing the future of pioneering industries and during the online program we have held a panel discussion with young YYAS alumni about their early career in diverse fields from scientific research to film production. During the residential program, participant explore an African capital city by visiting innovative companies and social impact organizations.

University Admissions and Financial Aid

University representatives spend two days with YYAS students and present on curriculum, financial aid, and their individual institutions in North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Past universities that have participated include Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Notre Dame, Rice, Sciences Po, African Leadership University, Ashesi, and more.

Social Impact Design

Both the online and residential programs offer opportunities for participants to collaboratively design contextually-relevant projects that can address societal challenges when they return to their communities.

Pathways Program

After the YYAS program, students have the opportunity to participate in the YYAS Pathways Program, which is one of the post-YYAS resources available to students.  The Pathways Program is designed to support YYAS alumni as they are actively applying to colleges, universities, or other post-secondary opportunities. Students will be provided with resources and support on topics such as identifying extracurricular activities, selecting universities, writing essays, and test preparation strategies.

From September to December the program focuses on applying to university and pre-university programs (such as African Leadership Academy and United World College); from February to June the program focuses on career mentorship, specifically how to pursue a meaningful gap semester/year with guidance from alumni mentors.