Welcome to the Wesleyan African Scholars Program!
Established to attract and support talented students from Africa, this initiative provides a transformative educational experience at Wesleyan University. Our mission is to broaden access to higher education for African students, promote diversity and inclusion on campus, and foster global connections.
Wesleyan University announced the African Scholars Program in May 2023. The program provides four-year scholarships covering the full cost of attendance for exceptional students who hail from one of Africa’s 54 countries. African students who are eligible for the program must have demonstrated financial need and must not be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States. The African Scholars Program ties into Wesleyan’s vision for internationalization, specifically the goal to “Broaden access for and diversity of international students, faculty and visiting scholars, and staff; foster a campus environment in which all can thrive.”
Empowering Our Scholars
Explore WATT & WISP Program
Wesleyan Africans Thriving Together (WATT)
Wesleyan International Speakers Program (WISP)
At the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year, Wesleyan welcomed its inaugural cohort of 13 African Scholars representing nine countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Burundi, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Somaliland, and Uganda. This August, the University will welcome to campus its second cohort of African Scholars, comprised of 11 students hailing from six nations, including first-time representation from Zambia and South Sudan. Students in the African Scholars Program are primarily supported by the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) throughout their undergraduate degree studies at Wesleyan.
African Scholars Testimonials
Tihitina Gebeyehu ‘27 (Ethiopia)
Being at Wesleyan is a great opportunity for me. Wesleyan allows me to explore my diverse interests with great professors and faculty, and develop skills that are applicable in various disciplines—something that wouldn’t have been possible under the Ethiopian curriculum.
Naomi Ivie ‘27 (Nigeria)
The opportunity to study at Wesleyan University means benefitting from a world-class education and a strong community of professors. I look forward to taking this great education back home to improve my country and benefit the lives of students like myself.
Chukwudi Udechukwu ‘27 (Nigeria)
Wesleyan offers a welcoming environment where I can explore new opportunities, build meaningful relationships, and shape my educational path. The close-knit campus fosters genuine connections, and I value the support network provided by the African Scholars Program and OISA.
Gad Nkurunziza ‘27 (Rwanda)
Wesleyan offered me a transformative experience with a wealth of opportunities, support, and connections that boosted my personal and intellectual growth. The professors’ genuine desire to support students has made my academic journey and personal growth magnificently fulfilling.
