We are pleased to announce Magdalena (“Magda”) Jobst as the November 2024 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) German Participant of the Month! Magda, a CBYX High School program participant from Straubing, Bavaria and placed by AFS, is hosted by the Shumway family in Dripping Springs, Texas.

Magda learned about CBYX through a mentor at school who suggested she apply given her interest in government. Her parents were encouraging too, having themselves done exchanges. Magda recently participated in a three-week long school exchange in Virginia through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP). She was both surprised and excited to be selected for CBYX and is the first in her family to travel to the United States.

Since arriving to Texas, Magda has gotten involved in many different clubs and activities at her host school, including the Fashion and Arts Club, Kindness Club, DECA (a club focused on business and leadership), and HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) where she had an exciting opportunity to visit the University of Texas (UT) at Austin medical campus and learn about studying medicine. Magda also takes part in the Young Women’s Club and Golden Years Club, where they volunteer regularly in the community, including recently at a senior center’s Halloween party. She joined her school’s cross-country team and says the weekly races have been a true highlight of her exchange year so far. Although competitive running is new for her, she finished an impressive fourth place out of 200 in her last race!

Outside of school, Magda enjoys spending time with her host family, especially at their small farm, where they have pigs, horses, and chickens. One of her favorite moments during her first few weeks in Texas was showering and braiding horses with her host sister and host mom. Magda says that spending time in the barn and in nature has been very therapeutic, but beyond that, “I am happy for every second I get to spend with my host family who is putting in a lot of effort to make this year great.” Magda loves volunteering every Sunday at the kids’ service at church and engages with 4-H club with her host family. She appreciates that so many people volunteer for fun and the way it builds community. Magda intends to continue volunteering after her exchange year because she enjoys it so much.

Magda has promoted mutual understanding between the United States and Germany by publishing articles in her school newspaper, sharing about her experiences on social media, and presenting about her home culture in her sociology class. Furthermore, she loves sharing German culture with her host family through baking. She has made Kaiserschmarn, which she describes as pancakes broken into pieces that can be eaten with ice cream and are traditional to her home state of Bavaria, as well as Vanillekipferl, a type of crescent-shaped cookie traditionally at German Christmas markets. Magda enjoys cooking with her host family and learned a new recipe for Texas tacos from her host dad.

Magda looks forward to spending more time with her host family this year, and says, “I am unbelievably grateful that I have so many option to integrate into my new community. I am practicing viewing the world in all its beauty and making it better for everyone. I hope to share this message with my new friends in Texas as well as my German peers. Thank you, CBYX, for providing me this unique opportunity!”

Congratulations, Magda!