Student Spotlight: Naa Atswei Laryea

Meet Naa Atswei Laryea, a senior at Barnard College majoring in Africana Studies. For Naa, studying abroad on the African continent was always part of the plan. "I knew it would enrich my studies and give me the chance to learn alongside other African students," she shares. Last spring, she turned that dream into reality with a semester at the University of Cape Town (UCT).

What led Naa to UCT wasn’t just academics—it was music. Her love for Amapiano, a burgeoning South African music genre, opened the door to exploring its roots in Gqom, Bacardi, Kwaito, and Afro-House. “What started as a passion for the sound turned into a curiosity about its history and cultural significance,” she explains.

While studying at UCT, Naa delved into how political entities use Amapiano to connect with Black youth culture. She recalls driving through KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga on Election Day, hearing Amapiano tracks energizing polling sites. A viral video of Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, DJing Amapiano tracks further sparked her interest. These experiences, combined with conversations with UCT music scholars and Cape Town DJs, inspired Naa to explore parallels between Amapiano and Hip-Hop—two genres born from innovation, cultural capital, and political undercurrents.

Naa credits Columbia University’s Institute of African Studies for making this transformative experience possible. “My time in Cape Town was so fruitful,” she reflects. “I encourage all African(a) Studies students to take their studies abroad—it’s an incredible way to bring your learning to life.”

Naa’s journey exemplifies the power of studying abroad to deepen academic and cultural understanding. Interested in learning more about her experience? Feel free to reach out—she’d love to share her insights!