Molweni (hello in isiXhosa)! My name is Winifred Ofori-Manu, but most people call me Wini. I was born and raised in Ghana until I was nine, then moved to Chicago, and eventually moved to Boston for college. I’m a senior at Harvard, double-majoring in Computer Science and African and African American Studies. Within Computer Science, I’m particularly interested in human-computer interaction, while my African Studies work focuses on the cultural and political experiences of postcolonial Africa.
I decided to study abroad because I wanted to learn beyond what I’ve encountered in my studies and through my own experiences living in both Ghana and the U.S. I’ve learned a lot about the histories of colonialism, race, and politics and how they shape Black experiences, but I knew much less about how those histories have shaped South Africa. I chose South Africa because, while I knew about the country’s history of colonialism and apartheid, I wanted to better understand how those histories continue to shape the country today.
This semester, I’m studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, taking courses in Politics and Public Health. I will also be volunteering with Art School Africa, a nonprofit that provides resources and opportunities to emerging artists across the continent. More than anything, I hope this experience pushes me outside of what I know and gives me new perspectives on the diversity of Black experiences across the world. I’m excited to share some of what I learn with you all and, just as importantly, hear about your experiences throughout the year!
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by visiting www.gilmanscholarship.org.
