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

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.

[@robinframpton8528]

Met Tony a few times.True gentleman.

[@deliafranklin4795]

Tony was the best professor I had in undergrad at Pitt, changed my entire life and career trajectory after taking his class about the Conflict. I have never met a more empathetic and straightforward professor before. Will be heading back to Pitt for my masters in the fall, a majority of that is because of Dr. Novosel's class and hearing about how he turned passion into change and accesible information. One of the best Historians I've ever had the honor to learn from.

[@ruskoruskov3086]

Wow!!! What a man...

[@KasiaWichrowska93]

Best year of my life! Experience does really change you a bit, would recommend it to anyone considering applying to apply!