The German Bundestag and U.S. Department of State are proud to recognize Hayden Tollenaere as the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) U.S. Participant of the Month for March 2026! Hayden, a CBYX High School program participant from Mount Pleasant, Michigan, was recruited by YFU and is hosted by the Betz family in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Hayden heard about CBYX through his German teacher and recent CBYX alumni, and their stories inspired him to apply to the program. Although he has studied German for two years, he finds that he builds the most confidence in the language by speaking only German with his host family and peers. He says, “It is definitely easier to learn a language when you are surrounded by native speakers, and in the end, it comes down to how much you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone, try, fail, and ask questions.” Hayden’s willingness to learn and adapt in a new country forms the foundation for effective cross-cultural communication and leadership.
While in Germany, Hayden has integrated well into his host community and host family. He has built meaningful, long-lasting relationships through a shared love of cooking and baking. Hayden’s host mother and grandmother share their French and German family recipes with him, and he, in turn, cooks and bakes some of his favorites, such as apple pie and tacos. One of his favorite memories so far is cooking a big Christmas dinner as a family; sharing U.S. and German holiday traditions made him feel like an integral part of his family. Hayden also engages in his community by joining the choir at his host family’s church. As one of the youngest members, he not only deepens his connection with his host mother but also creates intergenerational linkages with other members of the congregation.
During his exchange, Hayden actively explores his interests in politics and history. He has visited the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, the state parliament in Stuttgart, and the European Parliament in Strasbourg to deepen his understanding of German and European history and current political issues. Hayden shared that he aims to use his exchange year is to grow personally —through his faith, self-sufficiency, relationships with others, and knowledge of the world around him. He already demonstrates this growth through his curiosity, respect, and engagement with his host family and community in Germany.
Congratulations, Hayden!