Alumni credit GVSU for careers in foreign service

April 7, 2025 (Volume 48, Number 15)
Article by Annie Pettit

a composite photo of, left, Jiri Aberle, and Sanitsouk "Austin" Saycocie, both are wearing suits with white shirts

At left, Jiri Aberle ’16 and Sanitsouk “Austin” Saycocie ’17 are both working in foreign service roles after earning bachelor's degrees in international relations.

Two Grand Valley alumni, Jiri Aberle ’16 and Sanitsouk “Austin” Saycocie ’17, are working in foreign service roles and said their careers in international relations were possible because of Grand Valley's academic programs and faculty.

Aberle said he has always been interested in history and foreign languages. He attended GVSU as an international relations major and German language minor.

“Studying at GVSU gave me a necessary understanding of complex issues, which dominate international politics to this day,” he said. Aberle joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in 2020 and moved to Belgium two years later. Now, Aberle works for the permanent delegation of the Czech Republic to NATO.

“Because of my career in foreign service, I am able to represent my country's interests abroad,” Aberle said.

Saycocie’s interest in foreign service didn’t start until he attended Grand Valley. A double major in international relations and criminal justice, Saycocie still found time to go on a faculty-led study abroad program to Japan.

“I owe a lot to the professors at GVSU who nurtured my interest in international relations,” he said.

After graduation, Saycocie joined the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) and lived for three years in Shiga Prefecture. After earning a master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University in 2024, he joined the U.S. State Department as a foreign service officer.

“I think it’s important that you hear from other perspectives, and when you do, be judicious on their importance and value,” Saycocie said.

Despite working across the world, Grand Valley will always anchor Aberle and Saycocie to West Michigan. Aberle said: “GVSU has a global community. I have met many Laker alumni all over the world. It's always great to see the Laker Effect in full force!”

“If you want to work internationally, you should learn how to communicate, especially when you disagree,” Saycocie said. “What better way to practice this than at GVSU, surrounded by people who want to see you succeed.”

Students interested in international relations careers can learn more on the department's website.