“American Uncle” Tony Novosel on Study USA & the Transformational Power of Travel

 

Meet Tony Novosel…

Tony Novosel MBE is a former motor mechanic, steelworker, and semi-retired academic from Pittsburgh who has dedicated his life to serving Northern Ireland.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • How the collapse of the steel industry was the best thing that ever happened to him

  • Why he first decided to visit Northern Ireland 50 years ago

  • (And why he's been 85+ times since!)

  • Acting as "the American uncle” for NI students on the Study USA programme, (which is is managed by British Council Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department for the Economy)

  • The transformation power travel has had on his own life and the lives of his students

  • Why we tend to oversimplify narratives

  • The grassroots movements that led to a hugely successful academic book about NI

  • Being awarded an MBE

  • And advice he'd give to any student interested in studying overseas!

Check it out.

Today's episode is part of our collaboration with NI Connections where we catch up with someone incredible from Northern Ireland doing interesting things overseas on the last Monday of every month.

To discover more amazing diaspora stories, check out their website niconnections.com where you can also sign up for their free, monthly newsletter.

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See you next time.

— Matt

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Matthew Thompson