in Documentary Studies and Production, minored in Anthropology, and studied abroad in Seoul, London, and Jnkping, Sweden. In his free time, he likes to hike, road bike, and play board games with friends. What I didnt realize is how close I am until my face to face interview. Thank you for attending to all who attended - over 80 volunteers and staff helped us kick-off the 2022 hosting placement cycle! Lauren_C1 March 3, 2022, 3:31pm 18. The German Bundestag partners with five organizations for the recruitment of German citizens and placement of American citizens in Germany. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Once she returns to the United States after the completion of CBYX, she hopes to pursue a career in refugee and immigration policy. From The U.S. Department of State partners with four organizations for the recruitment of U.S. citizens and placement of German participants with host families in the United States. At first, I was excited because I made it to the semi-finalist stage which is about half way there, and what I heard so far is that its actually very back-breaking to get to this stage. English-language discussions and news relating to Germany and German culture. Laguna Beach, CA 92651 This was great because the deadline was in mid-December. Alec Twining is a recent graduate from Calvin University, where he majored in Electrical Engineering and German. Her writing can be found in ART PAPERS, Femme Art Review, and other publications. CBYX Interview. Alex Allan recently graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. Arabic AY. During her time in Germany, she hopes to work in the tourism industry planning events. in Economics and a minor in German. He currently works as a teacher and uses the most cutting-edge research to implement innovative curricula for younger children. Ezra Roesch graduated this May from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a second major in Environmental Studies. Abigail Megginson graduated from the University of West Florida in 2019 with a double major in Journalism and Political Science. He is currently working as a Computer Technician for the UF College of Liberal Arts up until he leaves for Germany in July. Peter hopes to, one day, work for the United States Department of State, the United Nations, or the European Union. Currently, the program hosts approximately 360 German and 350 U.S. participants each year. Serving as an Americorps member with City Year prior to her studies in a New York middle school. His24 years old and grew up just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Seventy young professionals from the United States will leave for Germany on July 31 st for an 11-month program of intensive language studies, homestay, internship and university study and be placed throughout Germany.. We are especially excited that the program . I know I'm a bit late to the party, so whoopsies. In Germany, she intends to pursue a sustainable agriculture internship to gain experience with food production and German environmental policy. She has a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion and looks forward to producing and writing content that resonates with global audiences in the future. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and camping, singing in choirs, and learning about politics. We had good luck hearing about notifications on the various FB groups. All the other semi's who were there were so awesome and we all got along really well. Although the future is uncertain, Zane envisions himself developing innovative ways for people to self-govern and add value to their surroundings. Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by CIEE. ECA seeks to represent the diversity of America in these youth exchange programs and to make sure the selection process is fair and transparent. Outside of her Fulbright Zuka'a engaged with the community by volunteering as a English/German speaking partner and tutor. CONGRESS-BUNDESTAG YOUTH EXCHANGE (CBYX) SCHOOL COUNSELOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) Who is eligible to apply? The Congress-Bundestag Young Exchange (CBYX) was established in 1983 by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag to strengthen ties. She intends to find an internship at a sustainable business consultancy and is looking forward to learning about sustainable urbanism while in Germany. As the classes vary from one school and region to the next, its likely that participants wont know which classes theyll take until they arrive, and are not able to select preferred classes. While in Germany she plans to study advanced lighting techniques and continue meeting and collaborating with other nonfiction storytellers. CBYXs three components offer opportunities to study and/or work abroad for high school students, recent high school graduates with a vocational interest, and young professionals. He was scheduled to participate in last year's CBYX program, however, it was canceled due to COVID. Moreover, it helps to strengthen the relationship between the U.S and Germany. She hopes to one day collaborate with her sister Skye Comminos in a culinary project called "Taste the Skye" which combines food sovereignty and creative expression to make healthy, holistic cuisine. If you have any questions about our cohort or the CBYX for Young Professionals program, please contact us at cbyx@culturalvistas.org or 212-497-3555. Kennedy is passionate about the arts and is looking forward to hopefully interning with a German theatre or museum. She hopes to pursue a career in Business Intelligence. She intends to seek an internship at a school or nonprofit working with young children who are German immigrants. Additional resources for LGBTQ+ students are shared with participants before departing for Germany and can be made available upon request during the application process. Of course, like any year in your life there will be challenges, but most of our alumni have reported that their experience was overwhelmingly positive. Email us: highschoolstudyabroad@americancouncils.org Call us: 1-800-380-6552, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Eastern Time Ultimately, just as in the U.S., each participant will need to decide how much and at what time they are comfortable sharing information about their sexuality. She graduated from Harvard College in 2019 with a degree in Sociology and Education Studies. He attended Park Hill South High School and graduated in 2016. She graduated from Duke University summa cum laude in 2020, where she studied art history and public policy as a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow. Since I live in NY, Im part of the AFS organization. My interview is soon I feel prepared but is there any advice or tips y'all can offer/ wished you knew beforehand? On behalf of the U.S. Department of State, it is our pleasure to announce the newest cohort of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program! . Zuka'a Joudeh is a Palestinian daughter of immigrants born and raised in the US. Information you provide will be used to place you in the most well-suited placement available. While studying German she volunteered as a bicycle instructor and youth organizer for refugees in Berlin. Ultimately, each participant will need to decide how much and at what time they are comfortable sharing their life experiences with others, just as you would in the United States. Germany is a well-developed country with a high standard of freedom of expression, ranking fourth on the United Nations 2016 Human Development Index (HDI) amongst 188 countries. As citizen diplomats, CBYX participants are encouraged to share their personal life experiences and perspectives with their hosts. Eliane Botts is a senior German major at the University of Missouri with minors in both Plant Sciences and Art. Haley Shackford graduated from Manchester Central High School class of 2019. The 2021-2022 cohort was chosen from excellent candidates from 49 states and 1 U.S. territory. In mid-December, I applied for the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program with CIEE to study abroad in Germany. Im from ASSE. Prior to leaving for the CBYX program, Alexis will be completing her first year in her first job post-graduation. Mai Nguyen graduated from Pitzer College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. As a reciprocal exchange program, CBYX encourages the sharing of cultures and development of international friendships. Saginaw, MI 48603 Jack Wingate is a queer filmmaker that hopes to continue creating documentaries that explore ideas of community, family, and identity. Dear Danielle, Since graduating, she has worked in the entertainment industry in varying capacities at companies like A+E Networks, NBCUniversal, and WarnerMedia. CBYXs high school program is administered regionally by the four well-established international exchange organizations listed below. Vienna Vance graduated this June from Pomona College, where she majored in Cognitive Science. Lizzie Edwards recently graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Wesleyan University with a double major in Anthropology and Environmental Studies and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. Just as in the U.S. there is no one size fits all method to approaching a question about your ethnicity or heritage. You will depart in late summer (July, August or September) and return in June or July of the following year. (800) 333-3802 ext. She is currently a software engineer at Laserfiche, a content management software company inLong Beach, California. During his time in Germany, he intends to learn more about the world of German business through an internship with a consulting firm. Participants in this CBYX program take a gap year between high school and their next step to benefit from Germanys exceptional vocational training system and institutions. Michael Thompson graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Bachelors of Multidisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Sustainability and a Bachelor of Arts in German with a minor in Philosophy. ), and all things yellow. She has been working as a consultant for a digital transformation company while living and exploring San Francisco. Participants from the 37th year were invited to reapply, and many were selected for the in-person program again this year. Find additional up-to-date statistics, facts, and information about Germany on the Facts about Germany website. After her year in Germany, she will attend Williams College as a MA candidate in art history and plans to pursue a career in academia. The communication studies and journalism and media communication double major has a passion for storytelling and building authentic connections. Lukas has a passion for learning new languages and traveling to new places. The fellowship is open to candidates in all career fields between the ages of 18 and 24 who are interested in a year of academic, professional, and cultural exchange. For a period ending one year following the termination of such employment, association, or service: The CBYX high school program is implemented regionally by four organizations across the U.S. Her post-college experience so far has included full-time work on a small organic farm in Vermont for six months, and then on to customer service work at a bakery. He also served as a peer academic for 3 years at the UAH Student Success Centerproviding peer support to students of mathematics and physics. 600 Southborough Drive, Suite 104. I'm Eileen, a high school senior from Florida. In Germany, program implementers provide each participant with guidance and support from both a local implementing organization representative and a national office with emergency contact procedures. The U.S. Department of State partners with Cultural Vistas on the recruitment of U.S. citizens and the placement of German participants for the Young Professionals component of CBYX. Jack Wingate is a filmmaker that was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. Germany is a popular study abroad destination for LGBTQ+ students and is, overall, progressive when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues. 2023-2024 U.S. Department of State Eligibility Policy for U.S. Jamauri Bryan recently graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Family, Youth, & Community Sciences. Ill be writing how my interview went, and hopefully giving good advice on what you can do to prepare for the big day. I'm a bit nervous about the prospect of going to Germany and would like someone I could talk to who is feeling the same. Those organizations are AFS-USA, ASSE, CIEE, and YFU. Klsch and a side of Bratwurst! in German, and a minor in actuarial science. Scholarships Fully Funded US Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program 2020/21. He is excited to represent his country as a civilian ambassador in the CBYX program. He hopes to pursue a career in the automotive engineeringindustry. Cultural Vistas ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Certification. Moving on, I began doing my application atthe beginningof September,and submitted the first part of it around early December. www.yfuusa.org. Business and Economics @ WU l "Hult Prize" Semifinalist 2023 Wien, Wien, sterreich. While at UNL, he served as a legislative page for two years at the Nebraska State Legislature and interned at the Democratic National Committee for a summer. Her interests are situated at the nexus of disinformation, technology policy, and foreign affairs. Charlotte Coon is a recent graduate from the University of Florida where she studied Political Science and International Studies with a European focus. William grew up in Red Hook, NY in the Hudson Valley. Students will live with a host family, attend a German high school, and learn of the German language and culture, allowing for a full immersion experience. Finalists represent30 states and Puerto Rico. She will be teaching English and working in digital archives until she leaves for Germany. In the future, he plans on pursuing graduate studies in Urban Economics and Planning. Benjamin Bryan recently graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor's degree in Geographic Information Science and a minor in German. Participants, including those recently graduated, may be enrolled in classes with local students one or two years younger than they are. CBYX / PPP Scholarship Ehrenamt Ehrenamtlicher Ehrenamtlicher Youth For Understanding . She hopes to gain a global perspective of the technology industry, which will be usein a product management role in the future. CBYX is a government scholarship program that is outsourced to private companies that operate in five different regions of the U.S. Zo graduated from Binghamton University in May 2020 with majors in History and Middle East & North Africa studies, and a minor in Human Rights. We encourage all Americans to apply, so that each CBYX cohort of citizen ambassadors reflects our nations diversity. Anastasia Kallish graduated from the College of DuPage with an Associate of Arts but plans on completing her bachelor's in International Relations and/or Cultural Studies. I would be very appreciative! After taking German in high school, doing research in the Netherlands with the Texas A&M PIRE Program, and completing a semester-long study abroad program in Germany during the fall of 2019, she is excited to return to Europe. Once in Germany, he plans on gaining experience with the German financial market. 51.4% of fellows come from public universities, 4.3% of fellows come from community colleges, 44% of fellows had little to no German language skills, 7 educational institutions have more than one student or alum represented in the cohort, 41.4% of fellows come from humanities fields, 7.1% of fellows come from vocational fields, Your email address will not be published. Hallo! Having graduated from the University of Missouri - St. Louis in 2019 with a double major in International Business and German Studies, he will spend the coming year in Germany studying/practicing marketing strategy and analytics. I was shaking as I read it and then I saw that I was a semifinalist and I have not been able to stop smiling since! CBYX is a crucial thread in the people-to-people ties between the United States and Germany. When heading over to Germany, he hopes to pursue an internship in the automotive industry with a focus on using machine learning to help with the automation process. We must become members of a new race, overcoming petty prejudice, owing our ultimate allegiance not to nations but to our fellow men within the human community" Haile .S. We also want the American families who host German CBYX participants to represent the diversity of the United States so that all communities across the United States have the opportunity to learn about Germany and teach Germans about their unique experience as Americans. Long term, Alec wants to work for an automotive company where he can help to improve communication between the German and US branches. Im really nervous as these upcoming weeks go by, but I just hope for the best. He hopes that his CBYX experience this year will better his german language skills and take him to new places. His dream is to work behind the scenes on a German-American co-produced feature film. Please email us at CBYX@afsusa.org with your feedback. For an internship he plans to find one working in corporate responsibility in the area of sustainability. 1-800-448-9944 We are especially excited that the program will return to an in-person format this year after being fully virtual for the 37th cohort. She has a budding career in content creation and copywriting and hopes to grow in these relevant fields. Washington Karolyn Newton graduated from St. Edward's University in 2019 with a degree in Environmental Science and Policy and a concentration in Sociology. The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, or CBYX, program is a dynamic and immersive exchange program jointly offered by the U.S. and German governments. Opportunities are open to people regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. I would be very appreciative! Charlotte Maskelony recently graduated from Oberlin Conservatory with a major in Classical Vocal Performance and a minor in German. Since graduating in 2018 he has been working as an Engineer Technician under the Army Research and Engineering Development at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Kathy Nguyen is a 2020 graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a native of Omaha, Nebraska. She intends to pursue an internship within the field of sustainable agriculture, hopefully ending up at an organic farm or with an organization that does outreach and education on sustainable food systems. Youth Programs Applicants. Lucy Corlett is a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. She will be working as an Ohio State tour guide and volunteering before leaving for Germany. He graduated from Duke University in May 2020. Vienna plans to study to become a school psychologist upon her return from Germany in 2022. She hopes to pursue an internship within the human rights and non-profit community to learn more about the refugee crisis in the German context. Senior Director of CBYX Daniel Villanueva stated, We are not only excited to again be able to facilitate this important transatlantic exchange program in person this year, but also that the Fellows represent a diverse cross-section of the USA. This year, the most scholarship recipients hail from the states of New York, California, and Florida, and Texas. 1-800-AFS-INFO x2161 As a CBYX fellow, Lucy is looking forward to improving her German and learning more about climate displacement, migration, and international climate policy. All students are provided with a support network, available throughout the exchange, including a local representative and a national office with emergency contact procedures. 19 votes, 46 comments. German students come with their own spending money and medical insurance. Now with the book closed on college, Trevor sets his sights on Germany where he would like to one day live, working as a lawyer or human resources manager. He has owned his own business for almost five years where he has been restoring and painting old furniture. Elise Alexander is originally from Denver, Colorado. While the application is open, many of our CBYX partners organize virtual events where applicants can talk directly with alumni about their experiences and we encourage you to participate in one of those sessions. In both directions, participants and communities benefit from mutual understanding and the sharing of ideas.American high school students can apply for a funded study abroad opportunity to spend anacademic yearattending a German school while living with a host family. He attended the Rochester Institute of Technology finishing with a BFA in Industrial Design and a minor in Entrepreneurship. He aspires to work in the US government at the federal level abroad to foster cooperation between US constituents and allies abroad. Safety is our top priority and program implementers adhere carefully to policies and best-practices that promote the well-being of the participant and their host family. Abigail hopes to one day have a career covering international news. For example, Americans of color abroad may need someone to talk to who understands what it is like to be in a population who may not be as familiar with their ethnic/racial identification. Seventy young professionals from the United States will leave for Germany on July 31st for an 11-month program of intensive language studies, homestay, internship and university study and be placed throughout Germany. Haley enjoyed taking numerous business and language classes offered by her school. Questions? Hi there! Since I am a guy, Im going to go in a business attire. With her recent acceptance to the CBYX fellowship, she intends to pursue an internship in the journalism field in Germany, continuing her passion for documenting and sharing stories taking place in the world. Over the past several years we have made significant progress on increasing the diversity of American CBYXers, but much work and learning remains to be done. Marianne E. Perkins recently graduated from East Tennessee State University Honors College with a double major in International Affairs and German Literature and Language. Hannah hopes to one day be a champion of human rights and refugees rights in the United States. Previously, she served as a research assistant at the Wilson Center to Disinformation Fellow Nina Jankowicz. Taylor Smith graduated from American University in May of 2018 with a Bachelors degree in International Studies and a minor in Marketing. The interview was pretty laid back and I think I did well in my individual interview. Germany, Copyright 2021 Cultural Vistas. Here is the email. Paige Censale (19) is a 2019 graduate of Squalicum High School located in Bellingham, WA, and a student at El Paso Community College. He plans on contributing to and learning from German businesses in the home design and construction industry, expanding his knowledge of German design and architecture. Since January 2021, she has been in Madrid, Spain on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Grant, working on facilitating the Model United Nations program at a bilingual secondary school. Pic Locat." B L A C K S Q U A D on Instagram: "Semifinalist - @_aman_am_358 (Non photographer) Representing- Nagpur , India . He intends to pursue further education by studying Engineering within German and expanding his knowledge of the German language and culture. The two programs take place in the same calendar year. The interview is about two weeks away, and all I can do is wait, dry-cleaned my clothes, watch videos on tips for my interview, and pray. On January 30th, I was notified that I had been selected as a semifinalist. He was born in Germany due to being in a military family but has considered Pittsburgh his home since his high school years. Seventy-five young professionals from the United States were selected for the 2022-2023 exchange. cbyx semifinalist. She hopes to use her German language skills to facilitate interfaith dialoguduring her time with CBYX. Paul Gordon is a default optimist and finding ways to energize people through positivity resonates with him. I personally recommend going with a business professional look since you want to show that youre taking this seriously. Lukas Griffin graduated last May with a degree in Computer Science. cb@ciee.org For the culminating project of her college career, she created a concept sustainable childrens clothing brand, combining her interests in branding and soft goods design. 1 Like . The program provides anetwork of supportthrough reputable international exchange organizations, field staff, trained volunteers, and carefully screened host families to ensure the safety and success of the participants exchange experience. She hopes to one day be able to merge her passion for the German language and culture with her experience and love for floristry. I am a CBYX semifinalist through YFU and I was wondering if there was any group chats I could join with other semifinalists? They hope to one day work in the field of sustainability. Benjamin hopes to study urban planning techniques throughout Germany and implement these ideas when he returns to the United States. Of course, like any year in your life there will be challenges, but most of our alumni have reported that their experience was overwhelmingly positive. in the three CBYX components: High School, Young Professionals, and Vocational. Strong selection preference is given to those who have not previously participated in an in-person exchange program or lived abroad for six months or more during the past five years. cbyx nomad: my journey to germany "We must become bigger than we have been: more courageous, greater in spirit, larger in outlook. Many participants prefer to complete the courses required for graduation during the summer before departure or after their return from Germany. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, https://www.opendoorinternational.de/gastfamilie-werden, Congress-Bundestag Vocational Youth Exchange, Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for High School Students, Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange For Young Professionals. All rights reserved. She intends to pursue an internship in Sexual Health Education to learn more about Germany's Sexual Health Education Curriculum and Sexual Health services provided by their Health Care system. Volunteer host families provide them with a place to sleep, a place to study, meals, and support and encouragement throughout their year in the U.S. CBYX understands that all participants can benefit from support that is tailored to their needs. The Bureau seeks and encourages the involvement of people from traditionally underrepresented audiences in all its grants, programs and other activities and in its workforce and workplace. She is looking forward to seeing how her body of work adjusts and transforms with the contemporary art scene in Germany. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State strives to ensure that its efforts reflect the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. The CBYX high school scholarship covers costs to participate in program activities, including: Please see the Aboutpage for information about the scholarship, program components, and common costs. The five companies that run the regions are AFS (Northeast), CIEE (Southeast), YFU (Midwest), FLAG (Southwest), and ASSE (Northwest + Alaska, Hawaii). As citizen diplomats, CBYX participants are encouraged to share their personal life experiences and perspectives with their hosts. She intends to pursue working in a non-profit setting dedicated to the arts and the local community. CBYX CBYX has many alumni of color who have had amazing exchange experiences. Mai intends to explore the intersectionality of technology, design, and collective good during her study in Germany. She currently works as a producer's assistant and as a supervisor at her local climbing gym.