The Open Dreams Magic | Yiviri Rasifatu

Open Dreams
2 days ago
3 min read

Have you ever envied your students? I have.

Every time I meet a new cohort of Open Dreams Pre-Scholars, I am struck by a profound sense of envy, and yes, maybe a little jealousy, but positive jealousy, if there is such, lol. Why? Because I know that gaining access to the Open Dreams Community is a transformative leap toward a future of undeniable, global success. Witnessing these young students gain access to an ecosystem that has fundamentally rewritten the rules of educational opportunity leaves me in awe of the journey that awaits them. I always make sure to tell them just how lucky they are.

This feeling first took root in 2021 during a US Embassy-funded Instructional Technology training, implemented by Open Dreams. That was my first encounter with the Open Dreams Magic. I was immediately impressed by the Open Dreams Scholars. Their exceptional mastery of both the technology tools they taught and the powerful communication skills they modeled was mind-blowing. In that moment, I found myself wishing I had known about this community when I was as young as the scholars they serve.

This sentiment is far from unique to me. At the just-ended Open Dreams Graduate Summit, participant after participant shared the same regret: “I wish I had found Open Dreams sooner.” My response was always the same: “I know that feeling exactly. But I chose to seize the opportunity despite my timing, and I dared to dream. And since then, my dreams have taken flight" in the OD jargon. My final word to them was this: It is never too late to dare to dream. Open Dreams is not a space reserved only for the young; it is a community for anyone with ambition and a desire to create impact.

Whether you are an early-career professional, a seasoned expert, or a student at any level, there is a place for you here. Open Dreams welcomes those who hunger for excellence and are passionate about growth and making a difference in the world.

*The Open Dreams Graduate Summit, ODGS2025 - It Pays to Apply, with Oxford-bound Open Dreams Graduate Scholar, Joyce Ngaha, in green at the front*

It is precisely because of this widespread yearning, from professionals, parents, and students who discovered Open Dreams “too late,” that Open Dreams has established two flagship annual events: the Open Dreams Graduate Summit (ODGS) and the Open Dreams College Orientation Program (ODCOP).

A panel on Opportunities in Africa, featuring Dr. Ernest Niba (KNUST), Elishammah Nyaba (The University of Cambridge), Blessing Lum (ALU, Mauritius), Wilson Hollyfield Nkwanui (UCT) moderated by Dr. Sidiki Mbinyui

The ODGS empowers highly motivated students and professionals seeking scholarships abroad, while the ODCOP equips outstanding students with the skills, insights, and resources to excel in their college applications and beyond.

*The Open Dreams College Orientation Program, ODCOP2025*

Open Dreams has demystified what was once a mystery: the full-ride scholarship to a world-class university. It is no longer a privilege for a select few. Today, Open Dreams scholars are consistently winning full-ride scholarships to Harvard, Oxford, MIT, Yale, Cambridge, and beyond.

We are dreamers, doers, and winners, and our community spans the globe.