Examining narratives from now-adults who attended a small English Medium of Instruction school in West Africa during the 2000s, this study investigates the connections forged between language, hopes, dreams, and the manifold opportunities and challenges that unfolded as a result of their EMI education. Guided by the principles of Ubuntu, a community ethic prevalent in the research context, the paper shows how these young individuals transcended the need to align their aspirations with their socio-political reality. Against the backdrop of English's enduring perception as a gateway to enhanced quality of life, the study identifies a notable shift towards what we term attunement. Attunement emerges at the intersection of the constraining effects of the hegemony of English and the empowering principles of Ubuntu, fostering a flexible approach to personal and classroom language. This dynamic process opens up additional avenues of access and establishes the desired connections between language, hopes, and dreams.