On any given day in Lower Austria, Katya Schwieterman BA ’24 might be teaching a lesson on agritourism or helping students prepare for English speaking exams. Later in the week, she might be assisting in a food science lab as students run DNA extractions and gel electrophoresis. Some afternoons, she heads outdoors with forestry students visiting different farms. If there’s a town event, she can be found playing tuba in the school’s brass band.
“Never in my life would I have thought that I would be in the situation that I’m currently in,” Schwieterman says.
Since last fall, Schwieterman has been living and working in Wieselburg an der Erlauf, teaching English to teenagers at Francisco Josephinum, an agricultural high school administered by Austria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, and Water Management.
“It’s always a new challenge every day,” she says. “I spent today marching through my tiny town with the band, playing traditional Austrian folk music for kindergartners in carnival costumes. Everything about this experience has surprised me, especially the incredible support I’ve received from this community.”
Her path to Austria began at Lewis & Clark, when Therese Augst, associate professor of German studies and chair of the Department of World Languages and Literatures, encouraged her to apply for a Fulbright to teach in Germany. However, after receiving the Fulbright, she ultimately chose instead to accept a position through a similar Austrian government-funded language assistant program at a Green School focused on agriculture, forestry, and environmental management.
“They ended up giving me a school that fits me really, really perfectly,” she says. “It’s one of the oldest and most prestigious agricultural schools in the country. We have about 800 high school students studying agriculture, agricultural engineering, IT systems for agriculture, and food and biotechnology. They’re doing really incredible work in those fields, and I love getting to be part of it.”
Schwieterman, who majored in biochemistry and molecular biology with a neuroscience minor, assists teachers conducting lab days in English.
“Sometimes I find myself standing in a lab, pipetting with a bunch of Austrian teenagers for five hours a day,” she says. “My L&C courses prepared me incredibly well.”
Schwieterman did independent research with Sharon Torigoe, associate professor of biology. She also took classes like neurobiology, molecular biology, and genes and behavior with Norma Velazquez-Ulloa, associate professor of biology, and Tamily Weissman-Unni, associate professor of biology and department chair.
In addition to teaching about American school systems and work culture, Schwieterman helps students build the technical English vocabulary they need to discuss science, agriculture, and environmental management.
Her rural experience has been lifelong, which has helped her feel at home in Austria. Before moving abroad, Schwieterman spent six summers working for the U.S. Forest Service in Colorado and Montana, including time in trail and recreation management and later as a wildland firefighter.
I think the ‘jack of all trades' approach really matters. Being able to contribute to the community in multiple ways—and having multiple skills—has been important here.
Her experience working outdoors resonates with her students, many of whom are preparing for careers connected to land and resource management.
“All of my students learn how to run a chainsaw and cut down a tree, so I’ll go help, observe, and just have fun in the woods. I’m always game to go outdoors with them.” she says. “The farm kids here are just the same as the farm kids back home.”
While American students might prefer trucks and Austrian students tractors, their interests are similar, according to Schwieterman. However, she has observed differences in how sustainability is approached.
“It’s not as much of a political issue here. People are taking it more in stride—preparing for it, learning about it, and building systems to adapt,” she says. “They prioritize keeping farms successful, because if that happens, then it trickles down to pretty much everybody.”
Schwieterman credits her liberal arts education with preparing her for her role, from the writing skills she developed in science courses to her language study and experience playing in the Lewis & Clark Wind Symphony.
Now several months into her time in Austria, Schwieterman has applied to stay for another year. Whether she remains abroad or not, the experience has strengthened her commitment to working in spaces connected to land, science, and community.
When asked what advice she would give current students, she says: “Lean into your Lewis & Clark experience and the variety it gives you. The things that bring you joy will travel with you wherever you go. For me, that’s been music and forestry work. Being well-rounded makes you a stronger candidate than just studying one thing, so don’t be afraid to embrace the things that make you unique.”
Biology Biochemistry and Molecular Biology World Languages and Literatures
