We are pleased to announce Maximilian Angert as the April 2024 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) German Participant of the Month! Maximilian, a CBYX High School program participant placed by ASSE, is hosted by the Streeter family in Blanchard, Oklahoma.
From Hamburg to Blanchard, Maximilian is eagerly jumping into his host community’s rural, small town culture. Whether watching dirt bike races with his host family, attending cattle auctions, feeding the chickens, or relaxing at the lake, he is gaining appreciation and care for his new community, nature, and the outdoors. Maximilian says, “Coming to Oklahoma in a rural area is a huge change for me. But approaching differences with an open mind makes one only truly understand a different culture. Seeing differences not as good or bad, but rather as what they are, helps me relate much quicker to the people in my community.”
Maximilian is active in his host community and seeks every opportunity to engage. Following an intensive application process, he was selected for the Oklahoma House of Representatives Page Program. In early March 2024, Maximilian spent a week gaining firsthand experience and knowledge about the state legislature. He gained insight into the art of lawmaking by participating in a mock legislature session where he served as elected Speaker on the House floor. Maximilian met and discussed state government with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and House Speaker Charles McCall, as well as with his State Representatives.
With nearly 200 hours of community service served thus far at the Bridgecreek Early Childhood Center, he is giving back to his community. Each day after school Maximilian helps with organizational tasks and teaches introductory level conversational German to students at the Center. He is also learning a lot about early childhood education and sharing information about his home country at every opportunity.
Through his experiences at school and volunteer service at the Early Childhood Center, Maximilian has great admiration and respect for teachers. In celebration of the CBYX 40th Anniversary, he plans to honor the elementary, middle, and high school teachers in his community with cakes and German treats during Teacher Appreciation Week in May. In addition to serving up tasty treats to teachers, Maximilian will share information about Germany, the CBYX program, his experiences in Blanchard and the U.S., and about opportunities for community members to host exchange students in coming years.
As part of Bridgecreek High School’s Leadership Program, Maximilian tutors freshman and sophomore students in English and Math each day. In the evenings and on weekends, he enjoys long conversations with his host family about Germany, the U.S., cultural differences and similarities, and much more.
According to Bridgecreek High School’s Assistant Principal, “Maximilian has become a positive ambassador for the country of Germany to our student body and community. He has broken down stereotypes, challenged preconceptions, and fostered a nuanced understanding of Germany among his American peers.”
Congratulations, Maximilian!
