Academics
Application
Tuition
Housing
Academics
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals is a fellowship
that annually provides 75 Americans and 75 Germans the opportunity to spend one year
in each other’s countries, studying, interning, and living with hosts on a cultural
immersion program.
CBYX is open to candidates in all career fields, and applicants from a broad range
of backgrounds are selected for the program each year. CBYX is sponsored in the U.S.
by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, under the
authority of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, as amended. Cultural Vistas has administered
CBYX for Young Professionals for over 40 years.
The program starts in late July with students departing from Washington D.C. and arriving
in Germany. The program ends the following June with students arriving back to Washington
D.C. for their conclusion seminar.
Please note:
- Locations range from big to mid-sized cities, small towns, and villages.
- Placements are determined by factors such as language level and where the student’s
internship is located.
- Students do not choose a specific location, instead, they are assigned one. However,
if you find an internship early in the program, you will be able to secure a spot
in the location of the internship.
- You can start searching for internships after being accepted into the program.
Study Details:
Courses cover a wide range of topics, the most popular include engineering, agriculture,
business, urban planning, public policy, and international affairs.
After the 8-week language school phase, you will relocate to your permanent placement
location for the remainder of the program. There, you will be fully immersed in German
daily life and culture through studying and (later) interning in your chosen career
field.
Between October and February, you will study at a German university or Hochschule.
The majority of courses are taught in German, which will help you further develop
your vocabulary and practical knowledge related to your studies. Depending on your
field and how it is traditionally taught in Germany, you might attend a Berufsschule
(vocational school), or be placed in a hands-on work environment during the study
phase.
In addition to attending classes, you will be expected to participate in community
service projects. This volunteer work is designed to help you gain a deeper insight
into (and make contributions to) German society, while establishing personal and professional
connections.
Learn more about the program on the Cultural Vistas organization website.
Important! Students must pass all coursework and complete a reflection survey upon returning
to the USA.
Application Process, Preparations and Deadlines
Important Dates:
Admissions deadline: November 1st.
Sample Timeline:
- Fall: application opens online.
- November 1st: applications are due.
- January to April: selection process.
- March to May: selection announcements.
- April to May: pre-departure preparations.
- Late July: departure for D.C. and Germany.
- June or July of the following year: return from Germany and program conclusion activities.
See the website for more info and be sure to speak with your Study Abroad Advisor for details.
Requirements:
CBYX is open to candidates in all study fields.
Prior German language knowledge is not required, though it is helpful if you have
some German language skills before the program begins. You will have two months of
intensive language training upon your arrival in Germany at the Carl Duisberg Centrum
language school in one of three locations: Cologne, Radolfzell, or Saarbrücken. All
participants complete language training and are placed in a class level appropriate
to their proficiency in German.
Participants must be:
- U.S. citizens.
- High school graduates (with diploma).
- 18 ½ to 24 years old on August 1st of program start year.
- Strongly interested in Germany and world affairs.
In addition, participants must exhibit clear career goals and relevant experience
in their future career field, which includes work, internships, or volunteering.
To prepare for the online application form, be sure to gather the following: resume,
copy of school transcripts, proof of U.S. citizenship, high school diploma, and a
letter of recommendation.
Students are responsible for acquiring the necessary documents such as a passport
and international travel and health insurance.
Inquire now for more information about the program and how to apply at the Center for Global Engagement (CGE).
Contact CGE to apply
Tuition and Funding
CBYX is a fully-funded scholarship program offered to high school and college students. Students are selected based on merit,
GPA, and their submitted application.
All seminars are covered by the program, but all participants must pay for their transportation
to the orientation seminar in Washington D.C. and their transportation home from the
farewell seminar in Washington D.C.
The fellowship funding covers:
- a roundtrip flight from Washington D.C. to Germany
- 2 months of language school costs
- 1 semester of tuition costs
- housing during the pre-internship phase*
- a monthly stipend to cover the cost of living
- program-related travel in Germany
- health insurance in Germany
* Please note: Funding during the internship phase will depend on internship pay.
The fellowship will not cover housing expenses during the internship phase if the
student’s internship is paid. This means that housing is paid by the fellowship from
July to January for most students.
The fellowship recommends each participant budget approximately $5,000 for travel
to and from Washington D.C. and other personal expenses they may have.
Housing and Life Abroad
CBYX was created by the U.S. Congress and German Bundestag as a public diplomacy program
in order to promote understanding between the people of the United States and Germany.
As such, participants are expected to immerse themselves in German daily life and
to cultivate a deep understanding of Germany from an educational, professional, linguistic,
and cultural standpoint.
To this end, participants are placed with a German host family and are expected to
participate in family activities and household life. In some cases, participants are
placed in a German shared apartment, or in a student dormitory, and are expected to
take part in the daily life of the people with whom they live.
All placements (language school, permanent placement city, institution of study, and
housing arrangements) are determined by the administering organizations. Placement
decisions involve a number of factors, including fit with potential living arrangements,
participants’ career fields, and the goal of this public diplomacy program to give
a diverse group of Americans exposure to all regions throughout Germany.
Get to know CBYX:
