The Graduates Students Association of Ghana – USA (GRASAG-USA) has held a two-day orientation exercise for newly admitted Ghanaian graduate students in US schools. The exercise, which was named “120 Days in Grad School” forms part of the association’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for newly admitted students to integrate into the US educational system. The two-day virtual exercise, among other things, was to also allow the new students to socialize and build networks among themselves as they navigate their academic journey.
President of the association Mr Kwesi Acquah Sam, a doctoral candidate at the University of Maryland, opening the event indicated that the exercise was carefully planned not only to welcome the new students but also to create a formidable partnership among members while advancing their career and academic objectives. He charged participants to continue to hold steadfast the principle of the association in ensuring that members stay united.
The panellists, of whom many were executive members of the association who led the discussion on the first day of the event talked about academic goal setting and academic honesty, time and self-management, imposter syndrome, professional development and internship opportunities, and healthy relationships with advisors, among others.
Some of the newly admitted students who spoke at the event described it as helpful and thus lauded the executive board for taking the initiative.
The second session primarily focused on health and wellness, financial planning, and academic and personal orientation. Speakers for this session, who were all alumni of GRASAG-USA and are currently in faculty positions or other professional roles, shared their experiences as a way of helping the new students understand the realities of graduate school in the United States and also to motivate them to give out their best while in the USA.
On the second day of the orientation, the focus was on socialization and the introduction of the program outlines of GRASAG-USA for the 2023/2024 academic year to its members. Various opportunities were provided for networking and socializing among members and newly admitted students. The executive board members were present to address questions and offer support.
The event was also used to highlight one of the association’s core programs known as the GRASAG-USA GIVING DAY. This is a monthly event where members are encouraged to donate a minimum of $10 to the organization’s welfare fund. The funds raised are expected to be used to support the organization’s activities, such as providing scholarships to students in need and organizing social events.
The GRASAG-USA GIVING DAY is a great way for members to give back to the organization and support its mission of helping Ghanaian graduate students in the United States succeed in their chosen paths. Members have been encouraged to contribute to the fund. This orientation exercise precedes the many events that have been earmarked for the rest of the semester.