Building a World-Class Workforce: The Role of CTE in Foreign Exchange Education

 For foreign exchange students, Career and Technical Education program provide many benefits, enriching their educational journey and enhancing their cultural exchange experience. At the end of last year, on a local level, we worked with our World Link Coordinator, who recommended that they make every effort possible to enroll World Link Foreign Exchange Students in CTE pathways. 

A great example of this is told from the point of view of Dilbar, a foreign exchange student from Uzbekistan attending SkillsUSA in California. This illustrates how CTE education can connect us through the universal art of doing, making, and creating—transcending any language barrier. 

When Dilbar’s Dinuba High School Game Design teacher, Mrs. Stewart, invited her to participate in the SkillsUSA competition, she eagerly accepted, setting the stage for one of the most impactful experiences of her exchange year.  She and her teammate Dimash embarked on an ambitious project to create “Kingdom Defence,” a 3D tower defense game. With Mrs. Stewart’s guidance and shared determination, they navigated the challenges of game design, a previously unfamiliar field.

Their hard work paid off when they won Gold in the SkillsUSA Regional Interactive Game Design competition, earning them a spot in the state competition. 

While at the State Competition, she encountered thousands of talented students from various disciplines, all gathered to showcase their abilities. The event offered more than just competition; it included workshops and exhibitions that provided insights into different organizations and potential internships for undergraduates. Dilbar took advantage of these opportunities, participating in the “Statesmen Award” competition and winning a specially designed pin, a cherished memento.

CTE programs like SkillsUSA offer foreign exchange students a unique platform to connect with peers who share similar interests despite their diverse backgrounds. Although she and her fellow participants had only known each other briefly, they bonded as if they had been friends for years. The sense of community and mutual support was evident in their hangouts and adventures.

Being part of the Dinuba Got Skills family was a highlight for Dilbar, and she was proud of their 4th-place finish in the competition, an impressive feat for their first attempt.

The true power of CTE programs lies in their ability to connect students through the universal language of doing, making, and creating. They allow students to communicate through their work, showcasing their talents and creativity in ways that words alone cannot express.

CTE programs provide foreign exchange students with practical skills, hands-on experience, and exposure to potential career paths. These programs help students build a network of friends and mentors, offering crucial support while away from home. For Dilbar, the SkillsUSA competition was not just an academic endeavor but a formative experience that enriched her exchange year with valuable skills, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable memories.