American Association of Teachers of German

CONGRESS-BUNDESTAG YOUTH EXCHANGE for YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Program Overview:

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals is a work/study scholarship program to Germany with a strong focus on cultural exchange.  It is designed to give participants an understanding of everyday life, education, and professional training in Germany.  Funded by the US Congress and German Parliament (Bundestag), the program enables 75 Americans every year to work and study in Germany.  The program year consists of 2 months of intensive German language instruction (no prior German language skills required!), 4 months of classroom instruction at a German university or vocational school, and a 5-month internship in the participant's career field, all while living with a host family or in a shared-apartment.

The CBYX program is intended primarily for young adults in business, technical, vocational, and agricultural fields, though participants from all fields are encouraged to apply.  Students from community and technical colleges are especially encouraged to apply.

Scholarship includes:

- Round-trip international airfare
- Tuition for university in Germany
- Cost of host family or shared apartment monthly stipend during schooling phase
- Pre-program, midyear, and final seminars in Washington DC, Germany, and New York
- Assistance finding internship through regional offices in Germany
- Support throughout the year from German partner organization

Qualifications:

A candidate for the program must:
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Be between 18 and 24 years old at the start of the program
- Have a high school diploma
- Have clear career goals
- Have relevant work experience
- Have a strong interest in international affairs and Germany
- Demonstrate flexibility, independence and diplomacy
- Have a strong sense of American identity

What participants can expect:

Placements are throughout Germany, and are coordinated by our partner organization administering the program in Germany, InWEnt.  As the program is focused on cultural exchange, participants cannot choose where they will be placed, though pre-arranged internships in a specific location can influence the placement process.  It is the aim of the program to place as many participants as possible into Host Families.

Schooling Phase

Participants will be registered for one semester of study at a university or school of applied sciences in Germany (Fachhochschule).  Every effort will be made to place participants in schools and courses that offer instruction in their field.

Participants receive support from our partner organization in Germany, InWEnt, in finding their internships in Germany.  All fields are welcome (excluding medical fields dealing directly with patients), and a wide variety of internship opportunities are possible.

Fields in which past participants have completed their internships include engineering, accounting, graphic design, political science & international relations, arts & art management, non-profit work, and many more.  Applicants from all fields are encouraged to apply

All participants will participate in a pre-departure seminar in Washington DC in July 2007.  Mid-year seminars at various locations throughout Germany, as well as a final seminar in Berlin, are included in the program year as well.  A final evaluation seminar in New York will take place in July 2008.

The application deadline is DECEMBER 1st, 2006 for the program beginning in July 2007

Apply today at:  http://www.cdsintl.org/cbyx

Phone: 212-497-3522