Congress – Bundestag Youth Exchange Program
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The Congress – Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) known in Germany as the Parlamentarisches Patenschafts -Programm (PPP) was inaugurated in 1983 by the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag.
CBYX provides German and American young people a full scholarship for an academic year experience in the host country. The program is designed to strengthen ties between the younger generation, and by improving their career skills through formal study and work experience participants expand their perspectives and awareness of each other's culture, society, history and politics.
Prior German language skills are not required.
- More than 17,000 American and German students have participated in the program since its inception in 1983.
- Upon arrival in Germany, American students will begin language instruction and intensive orientation that will introduce German customs and essential language skills.
- During International Education Week (IEW) each November, German CBYX students make presentations about their home country in their schools, at community gatherings, religious congregations and businesses.
- CBYX Alumna Anna Lührmann (born June 14, 1983) became the youngest-ever member of the German Parliament in 2002. She became involved in the party at thirteen.
The High School component involves secondary school students between the ages of 15 and 18, who spend a year in Germany living with host families, attending a German school, and participating in community life.
The following organizations are responsible for regional recruitment and selection of American high school students:
Northeast: AFS-USA at 1-800-AFS-INFO;
Central: YFU USA at 1-800-Teenage;
Southeast: CIEE: Council on Int’l Educational Exchange at 1-800-448-9944;
Pacific/Northwest: ASSE at 1-800-333-3802 x 20 S
outhwest: AYUSA International at 1-800-727-4540, ext. 543.
Also visit: www.usagermanyscholarship.org
The Vocational component involves graduating American high-school seniors aged 18 with a vocational specialization to Germany for two months of intensive language training followed by ten months of practical training and study in their field of interest. Nacel Open Door recruits and selects participants for the exchange and administers the program. For more information, please contact Nacel Open Door Inc at 1-800-622-3553.
The Young Professionals component involves students between the ages of 18 and 24 who study for one semester in institutions of higher education and participate in practical training with a German company for one semester. The program is designed for career-oriented young adults in business, technical, agricultural and vocational fields. CDS International (CDS) recruits and selects American participants and place German students Contact CDs for more information at (212) 497-3500. Applicants to the CBYX Young Professionals exchange should be:
- A high school graduate with a good record of academic achievement
- No younger than 18 and no older than 24 at beginning of program
- Have a well-defined career goal and practical work experience
