First-generation student finds her home in Harford County

By Kyle Hobstetter on June 1, 2023

Towson University senior Sophie Rapo isn’t just a first-generation college student, she’s a first-generation American.

In 1996, Rapo’s family lived in Albania at the start of the Kosovo War, which saw a lot of fighting near the eastern side of the country on the borders of Kosovo and Albania. Her parents—Mike and Orjana—decided what was best for their family was to immigrate to America.

The two traveled separately, with Orjana coming first with their 4-year-old daughter, Theoni, while also pregnant with Sophie. Mike came months later, with the family initially settling in Philadelphia, where Sophie was born.

“Being a first-generation American means I'm so grateful for everything I have, and it motivates me so much,” Rapo says. “I want to do better every day because of this. It's such a privilege to be in America.”

Rapo and her family moved to Maryland when she was 7. They currently live in Fallston, where they own and operate Acapella Italian Restaurant.

Rapo transferred to Towson University to be closer to family after attending a private college in New Jersey. While she started as a biology major, she found a passion for communication studies after taking a public speaking class.

“I just loved it,” Rapo says. “Intro to Public Speaking was just so good. I went up to my professor after the class and said, ‘Whatever major this class is in, I’m switching to that as soon as possible.’

“Now I work with professor Dr. Audra McMullen who is my adviser and teacher, and she has really helped me thrive.”

A happy accident taught Rapo she could take classes closer to home at Towson University in Northeastern Maryland (TUNE) rather than solely on the main campus.

One summer while visiting family in Albania, she forgot to sign up for classes. McMullen told her about TU’s satellite campus, and Rapo made up the classes she missed.

And since that first term at TUNE, she now takes a lot of her classes in Harford County. She’s also working at TUNE this summer as a digital marketing intern.

TUNE staff say she’s a great spokesperson for the campus. When asked about her time there, Rapo likes to say she found a place where she feels accepted that’s a bit of a second home.

“Not only does it allow me to get a great education close to home, but I was able to make great connections at TUNE,” Rapo says. “What’s so great about TUNE is you have that small classroom feel but you’re still part of the larger Towson University community.

“Some of the best friendships I’ve ever made were from being at TUNE, because we’ve embraced this beautiful campus they made for us in what feels like the middle of nowhere.”