Derrick Crentsil

Class of 2012

I applied to Ashesi University College with ambivalent feelings because I always wanted to go to an American university. Even though I had received assurance by some close relatives who were psyching me up before I entered the institution, I still had my doubts about Ashesi. I was very disappointed about not going to the United States. Nevertheless, I was amazed at myself when school started; I was inspired and fueled with a lot of energy. I developed a massive amount of confidence in myself even from the freshman orientation and I have had a strong conviction that has stayed with me throughout my Ashesi experience; a belief that I can make a difference in Africa.

I have seen students in this school grow both intellectually and socially. Personally, I have had the chance to develop and become a more matured individual. Ashesi provides a really interesting and intellectually-charged environment that challenges students to think of creative ways of approaching and solving problems around us. In my years here, I have always had my community at the back of my mind and have developed the passion for community service. I find this intriguing because this passion to help others was instilled in me right from my freshman orientation and since then, that has been one of the driving forces in my life.

Music has been one of my greatest passions since childhood and it gives me great pleasure to see myself performing for an audience. With assistance from a faculty member, I spearheaded the organization of the first ever Jazz Festival in Ashesi. This, for me, was a significant event in my life because I remember the joy that resonated with the audience during the show. I did not only gain pleasure from that experience but I had the chance to shape my personality in terms of leadership, scholarship and citizenship; the pillars of Ashesi.

Truly Ashesi is exceeding my expectations. I feel very privileged to be in this institution because I have had various opportunities which would have been much more difficult to gain in my ‘dream schools’. I even had the chance to intern at Goldman Sachs in my second year. This was an experience that gave me a lot of knowledge, exposure and an opportunity to supplement the concepts I have learnt in class. I have been given a different perspective on life and I am being shaped to face the corporate world and the greater society. My personal growth, to me, is remarkable; I find myself doing things I could not have seen myself doing a few years back. I am definitely glad I made the choice to come to Ashesi.