“How do you like Zimbabwe so far?” asked Lincoln Mtemeri, a rising junior at Arizona State University, when I arrived at Education Matters offices in Harare before we headed to Chengeta Lodge where the 2017 USAP Forum was held. In my disoriented state, following a 16-hour bus ride from Blantyre to Harare, I fumbled for …

When I left for college almost a year ago, it never crossed my mind how I would feel when I returned. All I was doing was looking forward, anticipating my new life at Earlham College. Returning home was something I had never prepared myself for, and it has been an overwhelming experience altogether. To me, …

July 20 was the last session of the two month Level Up College Counselors’ Course that Education Matters held this term for counselors from local schools to learn about the processes of assisting students to apply to colleges and universities in the United States. Below are the reflections of one of the participants, Ms. Elysium …

There is something fulfilling about complete cycles. Circles, spheres and ellipses are just satisfying. You could say they are mathematically smooth, or really just aesthetic. Cycles became something like an allegory two weeks ago when I realized that in coming back home to Zimbabwe, going through the ups and downs of trying to settle in, …

It’s not enough to get straight A’s in high school, write SATs and college essays, jet off to America and never look back. At some point in time, that’s all the USAP program looked like to me; a get-away ticket. I’d spent hours pouring over the USAPGLOBAL website as I searched for American colleges to …

Studying abroad as an international student comes with the challenge of always having to answer why you want to return to your country and intern there or work there. It is even harder to justify coming home over university holidays because summer time in Toronto is winter in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Career Connect Internship program …

The 2017 USAP Forum was a turning point for me. I resolved to revisit the promise I made to myself almost a decade ago as I boarded British Airways from Zimbabwe to the U.S. via London, in pursuit of the college experience. I promised to always strive to make a difference and contribute to the …

St George’s College student Chengetayi Mapaya, exceeded all expectations this weekend, with a massive 16.01 metre triple jump to win gold at the Southern Region Senior Track and Field Championships held at the National Sports Stadium. Mapaya’s 16+ metre jump landed him gold, defeating a Namibian jumper who landed silver after a jump of 15.98. …

“Alvin, they are looking for you! Go to the office right now!” I had just strolled into the gates of my high school when a group of my friends rushed up to me. It was 8 weeks after I had submitted my USAP application and I walked around with a heavy weight in my stomach. …

Maybe it is expected of me to acknowledge that the going was not easy. This journey has reinforced in me the belief that the things that are worth it in life never come easy. Maybe it is expected of me to express how thankful I am. Words or actions will never be enough to express …

The applications for the 2017 USAP Program are out!  We are looking for determined, bright, low-income students who have just started their U6 final year of high school and will be writing A levels in 2017.  This new cohort of USAP students will begin the program during their April holidays, and work with the Education …

We are excited to announce that this year the USAP Forum is coming home! A weekend of dialogue and debate, creative thought and innovation, the 2017 USAP Forum promises to be one of the most vibrant gatherings of the new year.  After over a decade of conferences taking place at various U.S. college and university campuses, …