

"My students went from zero to hero"
I recently met with Abigail, 21, and Faustina, 17, to discuss their first term as tutors for Exponential Education, how to motivate students and their dreams for the future. How did you hear about the Exponential Education program? Abigail: The Exponential Education program came to our school to do an exam and after that they selected five tutors so that we can help the JHS students with their academic performance and the subjects of English and Math. So we joined last term a


Is African Time real?
Wait small, I am coming* I was meeting a friend for dinner and I kept texting him: “Wait small, I am coming”. When I finally arrived at the restaurant, around 1 hour later, he said: “Hey, you’re becoming Ghanaian”. But what did he mean by that? I knew exactly what he meant. Not only was he referring to my English turning into Ghanaian English, but he was also commenting on the fact that I was late. I simply shrugged and smiled: “I guess your right”. African Time I was famili


Seven things to know about living in Ghana
DUMSOR: Dumsor, (otherwise translated in Twi, a common Ghanaian language, as “on” “off”), refers to the electricity system in Ghana. Currently they are facing a multitude of challenges that cause unpredictable electricity outages. People without generators are left in the dark; often while walking home in the evenings this can increase robberies. It can be harder to charge laptops and phones, or do other general work necessary with electronic devices. Dumsor is a major chall


Introducing Expo's new PA: Megan Henning
Hi everyone! I'm Megan and I am about to start as one of the new program associates at Expo. I was born and raised in the wonderful state of Wisconsin, and completed my bachelors degree at St. Norbert College in Green Bay. At St. Norbert, I studied international studies with an emphasis on Africa, with a minor in sociology. During my senior year I studied abroad in Uganda for four months, so I'm excited to give West Africa a try! After St. Norbert, I moved down to Sydney, Au


From PA to DO: transitions and transformations
When you apply for a position, one that you feel meant for, there’s always a riot of emotion. Anxiety, vulnerability, hunger, anticipation. The emotions knot your stomach and induces stuttering in interviews. You know you were meant for this. You just hope you can make them realize it, too. So much to my surprise I found that my sleepless nights and crossed fingers paid off. I was in Ghana, and in the position I was most hoping for. The Director of Operations (D.O.) is respon


The serious reality of education in Ghana
Sometimes what we think is happening isn't really happening. Maybe I should start again. Some days you have a routine that you don't think much of, then one-thing changes and your perception is altered. This is what I realized in my Girl's Leadership Program (GLP). This past term I have been working at Antoa SHS with 23 form 2 students in a woman’s leadership initiative program (GLP). After selecting the students from an application process, two amazing co-workers and myself


From Tutoring to Training: Lessons learned by Exponential Education's Program Intern
I still remember the first time I went to be a tutor. There were five of us selected, but I was the only one who showed up on time. I had to take the whole class--40 junior high school (JHS) students, including students I knew from outside the program. I was feeling very shy, but it was also funny. Because I was so nervous, I wrote the wrong thing on the board: instead of “Informal Letter,” I wrote “Information Letter.” After I realized my mistake, I turned it into a joke, an