Date: Saturday, June 10 – Saturday, August 5, 2023

(8 Weeks) Program

This Intensive Advanced Yoruba Group Project Abroad (GPA) program is funded by the United States Department of Education through Fulbright-Hays fellowships. 

The purpose of our program is to offer students taking Yoruba language courses in American universities a rare opportunity to learn the language and culture at an advanced level among Yoruba native speakers. The goal is to make participants productive in their studies and careers and to give them a better understanding of Nigeria upon their return to the United States. 

The program includes:

• 6 hours of daily Yoruba language instruction and interaction 

• Daily conversation 

• Home-stay with a Yoruba family for 8 weeks

• Cultural activities on campus

• Weekly excursions to cultural and historical sites outside the campus 

• 6-credit hours (to be transferred directly by the University of Ibadan to each participant’s institution in the United States)

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, you should meet the following requirements:

• Be a U. S. citizen or permanent resident.

• Be an undergraduate or a graduate student with at least 2 semesters (4 quarters) of Yoruba language instruction at immediate mid-level or equivalent. Submit your transcript that shows evidence.

• Submit two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from one of your Yoruba instructors.

• Submit a statement of purpose that includes (i) your reasons for applying for the fellowship and (ii) your commitment to African Studies.

Selection

• A committee of Yoruba specialists drawn from universities across the U. S. will read applications, interview applicants, and select only those who fulfill 1, 2, 3, and 4 under “ELIGIBILITY” above and demonstrate competence at the time of their interview. By April 15, each successful applicant will receive an acceptance letter and additional information. 

Program Costs

The fellowships will cover the following expenses for all selected participants:

• Round trip international flight from Dulles International Airport Washington (Virginia) to Lagos (Nigeria)

• Tuition, local transportation, and maintenance in Nigeria

However, each participant will bear the following costs:

• Program fee of $1,000 to be paid to Howard University

• Transport fare from participant’s home institution to the Washington Dulles International Airport (Virginia) and return transport fare from the airport to the home institution

• Passport, visa, travel inoculations, health insurance, other health-related needs and personal shopping

• Your home institution may have funding to support your out-of-pocket contribution to the program if your application is successful. Find out on your campus.

Application

The application deadline is January 31st, 2023. Please find the link to detailed information about the YGPA program and the application process:   https://cfas.howard.edu/FH-yoruba-GPA