Firebird Flight Day 2024 – First year student at UDC
At Firebird Flight Day 2024, Patrick Nyarko, a freshman majoring in Electrical Engineering, gave an inspiring speech and shared how he came to choose the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) as his “first choice” higher education institution in the Washington, D.C. area.
Initially from Prince George’s County, he chose to stay local, attend school in the District, and connect this experience to career opportunities after graduation.
From all his options, he chose UDC because of the school’s Engineering Department, its reputation within the world of science and engineering, and its affordability for District residents and residents of Maryland and Virginia.
Nyarko also appreciated the four-year tuition rate and said “ the college tuition price tag was the right fit” for him. He wanted to share his “UDC First Choice” with rising high school students in the District and beyond. “Coming to UDC has changed my life, and I love it.”
Nyarko loves all things UDC, and his experience has been very eventful in his development as a student leader. He loves the small class sizes that make the classroom experience more engaging and hands-on.
As a Freshman, Nyarko is highly involved in academic and campus life on the Van Ness Campus. He is a peer advisor, plays on the lacrosse team, and is a member of the chess and swim clubs. Sport is his passion.
In his short time in the UDC Engineering Department, Nyarko has learned high-level coding, wiring, and robotics. Last semester, he had the opportunity to build a robot and code instructions for it to function. “ I like how we get to do real-world, hands-on projects,” said Nyarko about the engineering program.
To rising high schoolers, Nyarko said, “You should choose UDC because the education is the best, and the campus is very lively, so there are many opportunities to network and get connected to your future career.”
To further inspire students, Nyarko pointed to the school’s location and the many opportunities in the Washington area. He said being in D.C. is an excellent experience because the university is connected to many businesses and organizations that enhance his academic endeavors.
