A Day in the Life of an Akilah Student
The Akilah Institute is a college for women in Rwanda that aims to build the next generation of women leaders and professionals in East Africa.
Through a unique model of education, students receive intensive leadership training, industry-aligned instruction, and community service opportunities. This prepares Akilah students to launch successful careers in the fastest-growing sectors of the economy.
But what does a day in the life of an Akilah student really look like?
We followed second-year Hospitality Management student, Allen Ingabire, to find out.
6:00 a.m.: An Akilah day starts early, so Allen wakes up at 6 a.m., eats breakfast, and gets ready for school.
8:00 a.m.: Classes at Akilah start at 8.a.m. For Allen, first up is Management Information Systems. It covers topics such as how to make a database on Microsoft Access. The classes use business examples, allowing Allen to strengthen her businesses awareness and professional skills.
9:50 a.m.: There are 20 minutes of break time, although Allen uses these to get a head start on her school work or to get involved in campus activities.
10:10 a.m.: The second class of the day for Allen is Leadership. The class focuses on aspects of career management, such as employment contracts, job roles and responsibilities, the hiring process, and salary negotiation.
12:00: Lunch time at the canteen! Allen usually spends this with her friends, but sometimes misses lunch to meet with visitors to Akilah. As the elected Speaker for Akilah’s Student Guild, Allen regularly greets guests and gives them insights into Akilah student life. She also serves as the spokeswoman for campus events. Most recently she emceed a celebration honoring former U.S. Ambassador Swanee Hunt.
1:00 p.m: The last class of the day is English. This is a chance for students to work on their group projects. Today the project is a business report in English. Allen and her group are writing theirs on the evolution of the hotel industry in Rwanda. It focuses on how hotels in Rwanda are developing, the investors behind the development, and the level of service offered at each hotel. The task gives students a taste of the analytical and economic skills required for management positions in the hospitality industry.
As Student Guild Speaker, Allen often serves as the emcee for campus events.
2:50 p.m: School’s out! However, Allen stays at Akilah for a few more hours to complete her school work and other extracurricular activities.
Allen is involved in a variety of campus clubs and volunteer opportunities including:
Student Guild Cabinet: As a member of the Student Guild’s leadership team, Allen serves as a link between students and the administration. This requires her to meet with faculty, students, and her fellow Cabinet members to make sure that the Guild is representing students’ concerns.
Debate Club: As a member of the Debate Club, Allen regularly practices with fellow debaters for competitions. The team also organizes Akilah’s own inter-school debate competition.
Tutoring: The Student Guild’s Education Ministry started a tutoring program to pair top-performing students with those having trouble in class. Allen volunteers with the program because she enjoys helping her classmates succeed in their studies.
5:00 p.m: It’s time to go home. Allen gets a chance to relax after a long day at Akilah.
8:00 p.m.: Allen eats dinner with her family and gets ready for bed before starting again tomorrow.