The U.S. Department of State and German Bundestag are proud to recognize Paul Scherer as the America 250 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) German Participant of the Month for November 2025! Paul, a CBYX High School program participant from Kirchberg, Germany, and placed by CIEE, is hosted by the Schmitz family in Suamico, Wisconsin.
While interning for a member of the Bundestag (parliament), Paul was encouraged to apply for CBYX. Paul was excited to be accepted into the program and was eager to experience life in the United States, which Germans often call the “Country of Endless Opportunity.”
Upon arriving to Wisconsin, Paul quickly integrated into his host community and has become an active member of the Bay Port High School cross-country team. He regularly volunteers at the local middle school’s cross-country meets, where he helps set up courses and distributes food to participants. In addition, Paul and his host family have served as volunteers for the Wisconsin Humane Society, where they sewed blankets and delivered toys to support local animal welfare.
During his exchange, Paul has regularly engaged in cross-cultural discussions to better understand his U.S. community and share about his home culture. One of Paul’s first moments of cultural connection came from enjoying a simple backyard fire with his host family and enjoying his first-ever s’more with the sound of American pop music playing in the background. Paul noticed that many of the artists he enjoyed listening to in Germany were just as popular in the United States. That realization sparked a deeper conversation about how American and German cultures overlap. Paul has continued to find ways to connect with Americans, noting it was the “small things stood out: neighbors saying hello on evening walks, my host family’s hospitality, and how volunteers show up for local causes.”
Paul shares, “Exchange programs are important because they turn abstract ideas about other countries into real human relationships. Living and learning in a new culture builds empathy, adaptability, and resilience - skills that classrooms alone can’t teach. Students become better communicators, more curious listeners, and more confident problem-solvers as they navigate differences in language, customs, and daily life. Exchanges also strengthen communities: participants volunteer, join local teams and clubs, and share traditions that highlight both common ground and unique perspectives. In the long run, these experiences create global citizens who can collaborate across borders and tackle shared challenges with respect and creativity which ultimately helps make the world a better, more understanding place.”
Congratulations Paul!