Education is Not One-Size-Fits-All

Most students don’t begin their college career with a study abroad experience. Olivia Urszulik ’27 grew up in a bilingual household speaking English and Polish and decided to spend her first year studying at a university in Krakow, Poland, to learn more about her heritage.

When she returned home to Connecticut after a year, she started at UConn at Waterbury and quickly discovered it wasn’t the right fit. She began considering other options, and URI made it to the top of the list. It had always been a popular choice at her high school, and she’d been to Rhode Island enough to know that she liked URI.

“Getting a scholarship was extremely important to me and my family,” said Urszulik. “Being a first-generation student and the daughter of immigrants, obtaining a scholarship was more than essential…it empowered my dreams of coming to URI.”

Urszulik transferred to URI as an accounting major. When she arrived, she discovered roommates who welcomed her. Faculty who engaged and challenged her. And an environment that continues to motivate her and encourage her to grow.

“Since coming to URI, I’ve been surrounded by people who are passionate about what they do, and it has rubbed off on me,” said Urszulik. “I’ve become more motivated and excited about my future.”

She enjoys the different teaching styles of her professors and how they introduce her to new perspectives—it inspires her to be more adaptable and open-minded. She understands that when she enters the job market, this willingness to learn new ways of doing things and adapting to individual styles will be valuable skills.

“I’ve learned I am able to enter new surroundings and quickly adapt,” she said. “I am currently in the process of looking for an internship, and I feel more confident in myself after this year. Prior to URI, I didn’t have the same opportunities and knowledge.”

In addition to the classroom experiences, Urszulik enjoys being a member of the Outing Club and listening to the guest speakers who visit the Women in Business club. URI has offered her the well-rounded college experience that she dreamed of when she applied.

Urszulik has not followed a traditional academic path, but URI has provided the direction and support she was seeking to achieve her goals.