Bianca Rykard

My biggest passions are music, art, and self-expression with a dash of sketching. But what people might not know about me is that I'm very much an introvert who likes talking in person more than over text.

During the transition to high school, I chose to go from 4 years of private school to public school. This gave me an advantage going in, but also gave me insight into our social structures. Since the transition from private to public school was a little challenging, I now look back and think how brave I was during this time. I was standing up for what I believed in. Today I still carry that mantra around with all positive vibes.

My college experience has dramatically changed just like everyone else's but it's actually benefited me. Since COVID, I got to stay in my house which was already a place I loved to be. I've spent a lot of my spare time engrossed in binge-watching tv shows and movies including “Shadow and Bone”. These are the distractions that can make it hard to focus.

Moving forward, my expectations for transitioning to the Newark campus are full of nervous thoughts but I think it's a great opportunity to create more social experiences and meet more people. I'm currently majoring in psychology.

Overall, this project has taught me a lot about the different people who are attending UD through the AAP program. Whether they go through trials and hardships or conquer any and all obstacles that stand in their way, that’s what's key to being in this program, having the strength, resilience, and confidence to get back up.

Interview by Callum Wragg: Spring 2021