Blog

CBYX 2018-19 participant Tess O. of Maryland, hosted in Noertershauen, writes about feeling at home in Germany. Time is flying faster than ever and suddenly there are less than three months left in Germany. Where did the time disappear to? It feels odd settling into routines when I’m fully aware that in a few months,

We are happy to announce Tilman Beyer, a Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) high school participant placed by Youth for Understanding, as the May 2019 CBYX German Participant of the Month. Tilman is hosted by the Nelson family in Kalamazoo, MI and attends Comstock High School. He has become heavily involved with his school and community.

Each year, 350 German students spend time in the US as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program. For many, the program can be a life-changing experience. A group of 18 German students are sitting around a conference table in the German embassy in Washington, reflecting on their 10-month stay in the US as

Tiernan G. reflects on her CBYX 18-19 program year during her final month in Germany. Just when I though I knew what my life was, when I thought I knew everything there is to know about myself and the people around me, I went on exchange. My world was broadened in a way I couldn’t

Mika L. reflects on her 2016-17 CBYX year in Germany. It’s difficult to talk about my exchange experience in any kind of condensed way – there is just so much I could say! As my wonderful friend Steffi once told me, a year abroad is like a compressed life experience. Many of the ups and

We are happy to announce Lena Axt, a Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) high school participant, as the April 2019 CBYX German Participant of the Month. Lena is placed by Youth For Understanding and hosted by Sandy Scaia in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Maintaining an impeccable GPA, and participating in activities, sports, and volunteerism, Lena is a

We are happy to announce Karina Meitinger, a Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) young professional participant, as the March 2019 German participant of the Month. Karina is placed by Cultural Vistas and hosted by the Gruber family in Minnesota, where she attends St. Cloud State University. Karina has found a number of ways to give back

CBYX 2018-19 participant Ashley K. of Massachusetts, hosted in Detmold, shares how she connected with her host family through music. During my exchange year, I have connected with others not only through German, but through music as well. I connect best with my audience through my violin. In the past year, I won 1st place

CBYX 2018-19 participant, Clive J., hosted in Panketal, reminisces about holiday traditions in Germany. Apparently, Christmas time in Germany is essentially synonymous with Plätzchen, little cookies with many different hand-pressed shapes! Before coming here, I hadn’t known this. But after many different baking sessions, I have grown quite accustomed to these lovely little cookies. My