Wilder Ryan Worrall paddles out into the ocean on his surfboard. His mind begins to relax as he is rocked by the gentle swells of the open sea.

Worrall sees the act of surfing, calculating which wave to take, or the failure to catch one, as an analogy of his four years at NYU Abu Dhabi. “Keep trying, keep going, things are never going to go perfectly, but it doesn’t mean that things aren’t good,” Worrall explained.

Each time Worrall goes home to Hawaii for a visit, he makes sure to set aside some time to surf. For Worrall, surfing is therapeutic and a great way to reflect. He says being away from land somehow removes him from his worries.

Diagnosed with ADHD at age six, Worrall has had a difficult learning journey. “As a child, I had trouble reading basic words… it was a struggle,” Worrall said.

To help with his learning difference, the young Worrall attended a school with a curriculum catered to his needs. He became more confident in his abilities through practice and building routines.

At NYUAD, small class sizes meant that Worrell could learn at his own pace, join a research lab, and thrive in this new environment.

The NYU Moses Center for Student Accessibility was also a helpful resource for getting Worrall through his demanding degree. He explained that the Center provided accommodations for tests, and the NYUAD Health Center facilitated additional support.

Worrall plans to apply for medical school after graduation and hopes to one day become a professor. The impact his teachers have made on his development and success fuels his desire to give back to the learning community.

“It’s my way of helping others with learning disabilities,” Worrall said.