University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Spotlight - Drika Bianchin
10/02/2014 | Women's Soccer
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| Spider Bytes | |
| Class: | Senior |
| Position: | Midfield |
| Height: | 5-1 |
| Hometown: | Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| High School: | The Winchendon School |
| Major(s): | Business Administration |
| See our Previous Spotlights | |
Twice a month, we'll visit with a different Spider student-athlete in the Spider Spotlight.
Did You Know...
• Her journey to America came at the age of 16. For the first two years of her high school time in Brazil, she trained in an exchange program, learning English and training with boys on the soccer field (she was the only girl in the program) as she worked toward getting into The Winchendon School. "Playing soccer with the boys made me tough," she said. "I grew so much in those two years, preparing to live away from my home and my family from the ages of 14 to 16. I studied English every day and had to no learn English in school, but to learn in English in school. Our teacher, Daniela Seabra, made us speak only English in class for two years." Asked why she went through all of this, her response was simple... "When you are a kid and you have a dream, you don't know why, but you just follow it."
• Bianchin directly contacted the president of Brown Distributing to land her summer internship with that compnay as she attempts to fulfil her dream of becoming a marketing or sales executive in corporate America. She got a paid internship and got academic credit for it, working with the head of craft and specialty department in June and July.
• She speaks three languages... Portuguese (her native tongue), along with Spanish and English
• When she goes home for winter break in Brazil, it is in the middle of summer down in the southern hemisphere.
Meet Drika...
Career aspirations: To become a Marketing/Sales executive in corporate America
Three words to describe yourself: dreamer, determined, fighter
Best or most memorable moment as a member of your Spider program: After my second ACL surgery (Junior year), when my teammates came to the hotel room to see me and support me through the tough moment. They brought me food, a very cute pillow pet, and a card.
The best nickname on the team: D.Bern for Dana Bernetich
Strengths: Strong work ethic and not being afraid to leave my comfort zone.
Toughest opponents: They were actually my own teammates my freshman year. It was a difficult transition for me, but a great experience of division I college soccer.
Working to improve: There are always multiple focuses to improve on my game, but definitely my agility
Best sports memory: Competing in the Brazilian National Championship for Futsal, known as “Taça Brasil de Futsal,” and being named to the championship team. We were 15-year-old girls playing for each other, truly as a united team.
Favorite meal: Brazilian rice and beans and Brazilian barbecue, known as “Churrasco”
Favorite ice cream: Ben & Jerry's Strawberry
On your playlist: A little bit of everything, country, pop, hip-hop, and Brazilian music
Most embarrassing thing on your playlist: I can't think of anything embarrassing on my playlist, but sometimes the Beep Test comes on, and I hate it!
If you have one wish: I wish I could spend more time with my family, I just get to see them twice a year for a short period of time.
What most people don't know about you: I love spending my free time looking at real estate
If you could go on any game show: So You Think You Can Dance
Hidden talent: Skateboarding. I used to skateboard when I was 11, 12. I loved it so much that I even created a blog with pictures of myself and my friend doing tricks at the skate parks.
Dream car: Infiniti FX45
If you could travel anywhere in the world: Thailand. It must be amazing with all the beaches, the food, the people, and its Buddhist heritage. I would love to go there as a graduation gift!
Favorite class: I loved my Sales Management class. The professor brought to class his real-world experience, and it was a different teaching style. This class has made me think about pursuing a career in Sales.
Pets: A pet bird, known as “Calopsita,” named Hulk
Hero: My parents. They have sacrificed so much for me and my sister and showed to us that with hard work and positivity anything is possible. I know that at the end of the day, no matter what, they will always be there for me.
Favorite childhood TV show: Rugrats
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive: Neymar. I love him!
If you could have any superpower: Teleportation. I would love to go home (Brazil) at any time!
