The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals is a full-year work-study fellowship program with a strong focus on cultural exchange. CBYX annually provides 75 young Americans with an understanding of everyday life, education, and professional training in Germany. The program begins in July and includes two months of intensive German language training in Germany (no prior German language knowledge required), four months of classroom instruction at a German university or college of applied sciences, and a five-month internship in each participant’s career field.
CBYX is intended primarily for young adults in business, vocational, scientific, engineering, technical, and agricultural fields, though applicants from all fields are encouraged to apply. Participants actively work to secure their internship positions with assistance from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, and are expected to cover incidental expenses.
Candidates for CBYX must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 18 and 24 upon beginning their programs. Any high school graduate is eligible as long as he or she is completing general coursework related to the target internship field and also has some relevant work experience. Proficiency in German is preferred, but not required. Ideal candidates have clear career goals and good communication skills, and also exhibit flexibility and diplomacy.
Want to learn more?!
- A webinar for potential applicants will be held Tuesday, September 19th at 3pm EDT (register here).
- A “Tips and Tricks” webinar to help applicants prepare will be held Wednesday October 11th at 3pm EDT (register here).