NOVA SkillsUSA Students Attend MoU Signing at Austrian Embassy
NOVA SkillsUSA students participated in the Professional Development and Cultural Exchange Program in February, a reciprocal initiative between the United States of America and the Republic of Austria. The event was hosted at the Austrian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The highlight of the event was the signing of the official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield and Austrian Ambassador to the United States Petra Schneebauer. Amb. Schneebauer emphasized the memorandum’s role in offering Austrian and U.S. technical and vocational students the chance to experience the culture, everyday life and working environments of both countries.
NOVA sent several students and SkillsUSA club members to the event to represent the College, including SkillsUSA Club President Misandratr’Avo Fehizoro “Feh” Andriamasinoro, Vice President Julio Gagnon, Treasurer Kanykei Korosheva, Reporter Benjamin Yam and Jonatan Solomon Gebremichael, who won a SkillsUSA national championship last year in the Internet of Things category.
Under the Austrian Working Holiday Program, the Government of Austria will provide training or internship opportunities for U.S. citizens ages 18 to 30 who have recently graduated (within the past 12 months) from a U.S. educational institution that offers degrees, diplomas or certificates.
After the MoU signing, NOVA students took photos with Ambassador Schneebauer. They also had the opportunity to network with professionals from the public and private sectors, including Amy Loyd, assistant secretary for the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education; Kristin duBois, public affairs specialist for the Private Sector Exchange Directorate at the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; Mark Overmann, executive director of the Alliance for International Exchange; and many others.
NOVA student Kanykei Korosheva shared that the event reinforced her belief in the transformative power of education:
“I was fortunate to have a front-row seat to discussions that shape the course of nations! The exchange of ideas, the mingling of cultures and the forging of connections transcended the boundaries of a typical student experience. It was a rare opportunity to witness diplomacy in action and to contribute my perspectives as a representative of both NOVA and SkillsUSA.
Networking with individuals who hold the reins of global governance reinforced the importance of education in nurturing well-rounded individuals capable of making meaningful contributions to society. This event underscored the relevance of my academic journey, affirming that the skills and knowledge I have acquired at NOVA and through SkillsUSA are not just theoretical concepts but powerful tools that empower students to engage with the world.”
More coverage of the event can be found on the Austrian Embassy Washington website, which includes the joint statement on Expanding Exchange Opportunities Between the United States and Austria.
SkillsUSA, a student-led partnership with education and industry sectors, is committed to developing the skilled future workforce on which our nation depends, ensuring graduates are career-ready from the outset. More about SkillsUSA at NOVA can be found here.
Submitted by:
Bryce Lenon, IET-PR and Marketing, BLenon@nvcc.edu