Two University Of North Dakota Students Will Travel To France As Part Of Their Awards

The recipients of the 2015 EAA/Daher International Scholarships – Dana Atkins and Mitchell Rufer, both students at the University of North Dakota – are attending this week’s EAA AirVenture as part of their aviation experience.

The joint internship program is now in its ninth year, with each recipient receiving a five-week internship at Daher’s Tarbes facility in France, followed by a week assisting Daher during EAA Airventure Oshkosh. All travel, lodging, and work experience is included, as well as trips to the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France, and the Paris Air Show.

“This opportunity gives a one-of-a-kind experience for the internship recipients, and excellent hands-on knowledge for aspiring students working toward a career in the aviation industry,” said Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of Daher’s Airplane Business Unit and President of the U.S. Socata North America subsidiary. “Dana and Mitchell spent time with our team in France, gaining expertise in their fields of interest – such as marketing, production, organization, design, support and service. We hope this will make a difference in their future careers, while also benefitting our company by working with the next generation of aviation industry decision-makers.”

The interns have the opportunity to interact with Daher employees as part of a unique cultural exchange. While Daher is currently providing American students a chance to study abroad, the company also encourages EAA to find companies in the U.S. willing to share such an experience with young people from other parts of the world. Daher hopes other companies can provide the same experience to international students.

“Daher’s commitment provides an incentive, a challenge to EAA Young Eagles, an opportunity for them to explore a variety of career directions within the aviation field first-hand, to see what the future holds,” said Dave Chalmson, EAA’s Vice President of Business Development. “For a student, nothing is more important. The cultural exchange, the educational opportunities, and the impact on their lives are tremendous.”

Atkins, who is from Sycamore, Illinois, studies Aviation Management and is working on additional pilot training. She will graduate with her Instrument, Commercial, Multi-engine, Certified Flight Instructor, and Certified Flight Instructor/Instrument ratings. Atkins hopes to work abroad in an international capacity within the aviation industry.

After AirVenture this summer, Rufer plans to finish the training required for his Skydiving “A” License. He will graduate next May with degrees in Airport Management and Air Traffic Control. Rufer, who is from DeForest, Wisconsin, plans to pursue an aviation career in positions relating to sales, operations management, public affairs or customer service.

Atkins and Rufer are involved in numerous organizations at the University of North Dakota, including the Student Aviation Management Association (SAMA), EAA Chapter 1342, and the university’s Flying Team.

(Image provided by Daher)

FMI: www.eaa.org