I recall bidding farewell to my parents at Robert Mugabe International Airport, feeling a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, anxiety, sadness—but above all, anticipation. In that moment, I realized just how much I was leaving behind: the familiar streets of Rusape, the warmth of home, and the deep ties to my people. Yet, the opportunity to pursue … Continue reading USAPCS Almuni Spotlight: A Journey Of A Thousand Miles – Growth, Resilience, and Belonging Across Continents
The Journey of Gratitude: From USAP Community School to New Beginnings
In the photo at the top, I’m just a year and three months old, my favourite pastime being a good cry—whether out of joy, sadness, or for absolutely no reason at all. It took me years to realize the significance of that time spent at home. It wasn’t until I experienced a different environment that … Continue reading The Journey of Gratitude: From USAP Community School to New Beginnings
USAPCS at just ended COP28UAE
Torindwanashe Chizura and Kudakwashe Chikovo, USAPCS alumni, represented a 5-student group project nominated for the Global High School’s Zayed Sustainability Prize competition. Sewenet Haile, their faculty accompanied them during their attendance at the COP28UAE event. The following accounts detail their journey and experiences. November 27th brought a mix of excitement and nerves as we embarked … Continue reading USAPCS at just ended COP28UAE
Brave Spaces: Opening Plenary at CIS Global Forum 2019
On November 20, 2019 in Bilbao, Spain, Education Matters Director Rebecca Zeigler Mano gave the opening plenary address at the CIS Global Forum. Below is the full text of her speech titled “Brave Spaces.” Good morning! It is an incredible frankly daunting honor to speak in front of a room full of amazing colleagues, … Continue reading Brave Spaces: Opening Plenary at CIS Global Forum 2019
Broadening horizons- My gap year experience
I remember how exuberant I was during the period I was doing my college applications, in my final high school year. What excited me the most was the thought of getting admitted into an international university in the US. I was then struck by reality when three of the four colleges I applied to rejected … Continue reading Broadening horizons- My gap year experience
Expanding Horizons – Education Matters Book Club
As I flipped through the final pages of Chimamanda Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus, I could not wait for the last Friday of March to arrive. Each page had issues worth discussing, and I wondered how amazing it would be doing so with the exceptional and interesting members of our Education Matters Book Club. Unfortunately, I could … Continue reading Expanding Horizons – Education Matters Book Club
Reflections: Focus On That Which Matters
In Zimbabwe the jacarandas are blooming, better known as “exam trees,” marking the start of O, AS and A level exam season by blanketing the streets with their purple blossoms. And so it’s also the advent of application season, with students agonizing over every word of their college applications, trying to find a magical formula for “getting … Continue reading Reflections: Focus On That Which Matters
Reflections: The Size of the Pond
How does the fish know their competition if they have always lived in a tiny pond? No doubt, Zimbabwean students harbor a lot of talent, and we see that here at Education Matters. We work with students who have long strings or A’s at O and A Level, those who are trying to break records with … Continue reading Reflections: The Size of the Pond
Reflections: The Spark
Every high school student applying to selective U.S. universities is seeking that magic formula that will land them a golden ticket – admission with the amount of financial assistance they need to attend. They seek an elusive elixir of grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, leadership positions and the ultimate captivating and compelling essay. I can’t count … Continue reading Reflections: The Spark
Reflections: Education Does Matter
There are multiple true life stories of the power of education to lift a talented young person from poverty and powerlessness to a point of making a major impact on his or her family, community, even nation. We may watch these stories in movies, read them in books or discover them online. However, once you meet an empowered … Continue reading Reflections: Education Does Matter