The German Bundestag and U.S. Department of State are pleased to announce Alexander Crim as the December 2024 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) U.S. Participant of the Month! Alexander, a CBYX High School program participant from Buncombe, Illinois and recruited by YFU, is hosted by the Pattengale-Pradel family in Heidersbach, Baden-Wuerttemberg.

Alexander was inspired to apply to CBYX after learning about it through emails describing exchange opportunities from his school’s superintendent. Having met many wonderful foreign exchange students at his high school, he decided it would be exciting to spend his junior year in another country, experiencing a new culture and learning a new language.

As the oldest of five kids back home, Alexander was quite comfortable settling in with his German host family, where he also has four younger siblings. He enjoys their shared family meals and spending time together watching TV and playing board and video games. Coming from a rural town in Illinois where he lives on a farm, Alexander is finding different ways to spend time in his host community. As an avid gamer, Alexander was surprised and excited to find a local gaming club where he plays during Saturday meet ups. He even got his host brother and a friend to join him. Additionally, Alexander volunteers at the local fire department with his host brother and friends and finds it interesting to compare it to his experience volunteering with junior firefighters back in Illinois.

At school, Alexander is involved in SMV (student council) and was elected class representative by his German classmates. He notes that student council in Germany is more engaged and influential in school policies than a typical U.S. student council. Alexander helps organize school projects, such as a themed week where students dress up each day and an event where students can buy roses for each other.

Alexander is sharing American culture through food and holidays, such as Halloween trick-or-treating with his host family and organizing a “Friendsgiving” to share Thanksgiving traditions. Alexander made deviled eggs and his grandma’s recipe for tater tot casserole, and he invited his friends and their families to bring dishes from their cultures, including Mexican, Turkish, and Russian foods. They watched the Peanuts movie, played board games, and shared what they were thankful for, making it a fun and successful gathering.

Alexander says his experience so far has changed his perception of the world, showing how similar people are no matter where they come from. He encourages anyone considering going an exchange to go for it and says, “You will most definitely come out of this a better, wiser, and more educated person. You will love it wherever you go, as I have. Auf Wiedersehen!”

Congratulations, Alexander!