🚌 TourTalk: Alfa Reflects on His IUP Trip with Scholars Advantage
As part of our TourTalk: IUP Edition series, PhillyGoes2College traveled with the Philadelphia Education Fund’s Scholars Advantage Program for an overnight visit to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP).
On the way back to Philly, we caught up with Alfa, a rising junior at West Catholic High School from North Philly. What started as just “easy cheese” turned into a real moment of growth. Here’s what he had to say about the trip, his future, and the people who got him this far.
📱 How He Joined Scholars Advantage
“It was like a regular summer, you know, minding my own business. I seen on Instagram that my friend was posting about it. He talking about easy cheese, easy money. So, I said, ‘Let me join.’ And then, yeah.”
He didn’t expect much at first — but it quickly became more than a paycheck.
“First day I was a little nervous, you know what I’m saying? First job for real. For real. So I was like wondering how it’s going to be, hoping the people not doing too much… and I did [get along]. Like the teacher, she was nice — I had no issues. And for the most part, I really enjoyed it.”
🏫 What He Loved About the IUP Trip
This was Alfa’s first time visiting IUP, though it wasn’t his first overnight trip.
“This actually my second. I went to Penn before this one.”
Still, IUP made an impression:
“I really enjoyed it greatly. You know what I’m saying? I got a chance to play basketball and get to see the campus — and it was really nice.”
🔥 His Favorite Highlights:
🔸 “Probably seeing the Ghana conference coming around. That was really nice.”
🔸 “The lunch was nice, dinner, breakfast.”
🔸 “Just the staff there, you know, Mr. Sean and them — it was really nice. Talking to them really benefited me, you know?”
🎓 Why College Matters to Him
Like many students, Alfa is still figuring out where he wants to go and what he wants to major in. But trips like this are helping.
“I’m still trying to figure out what college I want to go to, what major I want to do. So visiting different colleges just helps me get a clearer view… what college going to benefit me most.”
So why does college matter?
“It helps me get a step into the adult world after college. You know what I mean? Gives me a chance to learn from other professors… the friends around me, older, younger — gives me a chance to really like step up my game.”
🙏 Who He’s Thankful For
“All my teachers in my life really been like… really connected with me, you know? I communicated with them. They communicated with me. Did our best, and I feel like they really helped me in life. So, I want to thank them.”
🎥 Watch Alfa Tell It in His Own Words
Click below to watch Alfa share more about his IUP experience:
