The German Bundestag and U.S. Department of State are pleased to announce Phoebe Goebel as the June 2025 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) U.S. Participant of the Month! Phoebe, a CBYX Vocational program participant from Eagle River, Alaska, and recruited by Nacel Open Door, is hosted by the Kölln family in Leverkusen, Germany.
Having taken German every year in high school, Phoebe developed a love for the language and wanted to apply it in a future career. After learning about CBYX from her German teacher and looking into it further, Phoebe realized that the CBYX Vocational program was the perfect opportunity to fulfill her dream of spending a gap year in Germany.
While in Germany, Phoebe interned at a local elementary and high school. This gave Phoebe an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience and further her interest in teaching by helping German students with their academics, resolving student conflicts, and sharing about American culture. Through this experience, Phoebe has come away feeling more confident in herself, noting that she “[is] a stronger, more independent person” and is more certain than ever that teaching is the career she wants to pursue in the future.
Outside of the classroom, Phoebe remains just as engaged in her community. In her day-to-day interactions building new friendships, she has made deliberate efforts to talk about American culture and dispel misconceptions about the United States. Phoebe joined the local hockey club and helped the organization on the weekends. She also tutored around the neighborhood when she heard of students who needed extra help. Within her CBYX Vocational program cohort, Phoebe was elected as one of its co-presidents. In this role, not only did she organize meetings and events, but she became a leader that her peers would turn to when faced with challenges or needing advice. Phoebe possesses a talent of helping others feel heard and supported, becoming a valuable friend to others and her community.
During her CBYX year, Phoebe developed a strong relationship with her host family and was able to explore her German heritage. Phoebe notes that her host family welcomed her into their home and made her feel included during the holidays. She was invited to join them for a family vacation to Schleswig-Holstein in Northern Germany. Phoebe also connected with some of her own relatives and even paid a visit to her great-grandfather's bakery, as shown in the image below.
Being a part of CBYX and living in Germany has challenged Phoebe but also helped her grow in tremendous ways. Phoebe notes that this experience has felt like she has “lived a lifetime in this one year” and that CBYX “not only taught me more German, but it also changed the way I think and act.
Congratulations, Phoebe!