In this episode of Da Collegiate Chronicle, I’m joined by Aranza Rivera, a former Disney College Program participant from the University of Connecticut who spent her fall at Disney’s Resorts.

We talk about what it’s like standing at a crossroads—choosing discipline over comfort, returning home to study for the MCAT, and navigating the quiet pressure of feeling behind while doing what’s right for you. From the highs and lows of the Disney College Program to the lessons that take the longest to learn, this conversation is about timing, resilience, and trusting your own path.

Because sometimes growth doesn’t happen center stage—it happens by the Riviera.