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The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX or [[CB]]) is a full scholarship awarded to outstanding U.S. students for a year of study in Germany and to German students for a year of study in the United States. 

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congress-Bundestag_Youth_Exchange link to Wikipedia article]

[[2010-11 CBYX Finalists]]

The CYBX website provides in-depth information for motivated high school students who want to live with a host family and attend school for an academic year in Germany. Answers to questions regarding the program, eligibility, and the application process can be found exclusively on the website. See [http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org]

== Background ==

Launched in 1983, the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) is jointly funded by the German Bundestag and the U.S. Congress, through the Cultural and Educational Affairs Bureau of the State Department. CB offers ambitious young people the opportunity to develop their language skills, and to gain real world views of current affairs along with German social, political and economic life.  Congress-Bundestag scholars experience German life firsthand.  Living abroad, they will be immersed in a new culture and new surroundings every day. They will have an unequaled opportunity to develop new interests, explore new directions, and build self-confidence and self reliance.

The main purpose of the program is to stregnthen the U.S.-German relationship through ties of friendship and understanding.  In the process, students will experience German life while involving themselves in the local family, school, culture, and recreation.

Throughout the years, CBYX has enabled more than 17,000 students to expand their global persepctives and to make new friends.

== Program Components ==

All students' programs will include:

* Orientation programs in Washington D.C. and language instruction in Germany

* Meeting with German and American government officials

* Careful placement with a German host family

* Admission to a German high school

* Cultural and touring activities including excursions to select cities

== Scholarship Basics ==

* The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) is funded by the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Youth Program Division.

* CBYX scholarships cover the full tuition for the NH year program. Program elements include a four week language camp for CBYX scholars at the beginning of the program, enrollment in a German high school, a homestay experience, and a visit to the German Parliament in May. CBYX scholars also attend Gateway and Return orientations in Washington, D.C.

* AFS awards 50 CBYX Scholarships for the year long academic program to Germany departing in the NH cycle (departing in early September and returning the following July)

* Students from the following eastern states may apply for a CBYX scholarship through AFS: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, OH, PA, RI and VT.  (Students in other regions must apply through the CBYX grant holding organization in their region).

* To qualify, students must be ages 15 to 18, have a GPA of 3.0 or better, show a strong interest in Germany and the German language. 

* Nominations are not required, though we encourage educators to help us identify and motivate interested students by nominating them for this scholarship program. Nominations are encouraged as a way to increase knowledge of CBYX among educators. 

* CBYX Scholars are required to attend local pre-departure orientations and participate in all standard AFS pre-departure activities. In addition, CBYX Scholars must participate in a series of orientation conference calls in the Spring and Summer before departure.

* In addition to sending students to Germany, CBYX winners from Germany are also hosted in the United States. In 2007, AFS-USA is hosting 57 CBYX German scholars. Unlike the sending portion of this scholarship, geographic hosting restrictions do not apply to CBYX. If you are interested in learning more about hosting a CBYX student in the United States, please contact Sibylle Langer at 1-800-237-4636 ext. 1530, or email slanger@afs.org.

== Origin of CB Students ==


The program provides full scholarships for 200 American high school students to live and study in Germany for an academic year, and, concurrently, for 250 German students to be hosted in the United States.  AFS-USA administers the selection of 50 students from 10 states within the general Northeast and Midatlantic region.

== Application Process (Outbound) ==

* Candidates must submit (postmark) the [http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/pdf/CBYX-application.pdf CB application] by '''December 17, 2007'''.

* Submitting the CBYX Application is the first step in the application process. Applicants will also be required to complete the standard AFS Application. Applicants are required to complete an additional application for two reasons: the scholarship award is contingent upon meeting AFS medical and placement criteria (in addition to the CBYX requirements) and the AFS application requires materials (like a photo page and detailed placement information) that will help our colleagues in AFS-Germany find the best host family possible.

* Once we receive the CBYX Application in the AFS Admissions Center, we will send the AFS Application to the student applying. Instructions will also be given on how to download this application from the AFS-USA website.

* Applicants will be invited to attend a Selection Committee in early January. The Selection Committee will take place on a weekend day in January or February. The goal is to have Selection Committees take place within a two hour drive of the applicant’s hometown, however, this is not always possible. In the Selection Committee, applicants will be able to meet other students that might be traveling to Germany with them and also have an individual interview with a panel of Selection Committee members. This is a crucial part of the selection process for this scholarship.   

* CBYX applicants are welcome and encouraged to additionally apply for core AFS programs and need-based financial aid.

== Eligibility and Selection Process ==


1.  To participate in the 2010-2011 Academic year program to Germany, you must: 
* Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident 
* Have a GPA of 3.0 or better based on a 4.0 scale 
* Be between 15 and 18 years of age at the start of the program.


If you wish to apply through AFS, you must reside in any of the following regions:
CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, Washington, D.C.  
* Please note that previous study of the German language is NOT required. 
* Language preparation is offered while on program.  


2. If you meet these prerequisites, please mail a completed application to us by the December 18, 2009 postmark deadline.  You may request an application and return the completed forms to:


 AFS Sponsored Programs Advisor
 506 SW 6th Ave, 2nd Floor
 Portland, OR 97204
* Toll Free: 800.237.4636 ext. 1530
* Phone: 503.241.1578 ext. 1530
* Fax: 503.419.9630


3. Your written application will be reviewed.  If you are selected as a Semi-Finalist, you will be asked to participate in group and individual interviews at a regional Selection Committee.  


4.  AFS-USA Winners will be selected in approximately mid-March. Applications of Winners will be forwarded to AFS Germany for approval and final confirmation.   

Winners are selected based on: 
* How well they demonstrate the characteristics of a successful exchange student 
* Evidence of the personal qualities essential for adjustment to another culture,such as flexibility, curiosity, open-mindedness, sense of humor and a desire to be challenged 
* Written and oral communication skills 
* Motivation for a cross-cultural experience 


Please note:  Applicants from all racial, economic, ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds are encouraged to apply, as are students with disabilities.

== F.A.Q. ==

*''What are the travel dates?"
Students will depart in July/August/September and return the following summer.


*''What are my financial obligations?''
Students are responsible for round trip transportation between home communities and Washington D.C., a valid passport, and monthly spending money (recommended $300 per month for personal expenses).


*''Where will I live?''
Students are placed with pre-screened volunteer host families throughout Germany.


*''Where will I go to school?''
All students will attend the local high school- including students who have already graduated from high school in America.  All classes will be taught in German.


*''Who should I contact in Germany if I have a question while on program?''
Program staff and volunteers are available by phone or email to answer questions and provide support throughout the program.


*''Will I receive high school or college credit for the courses I take in Germany?''
Please ask your high school guidence counselor or university representative.  Many students complete the courses required to graduate during summer school before or after they return from Germany.  Some students receive college credit for the German language skills acquired on the program.


*''May I return home during the program?''
Since this is a cultural immersion program, students will not be allowed to return home for the winter holidays, birthdays, graduations, etc.  Exceptions can be made for emergency situations; these are determined on a case by case basis by the regional organizations. 


*''When will I find out if I am selected?''
Selection committees review applications and make final decisions by late spring.  In addiction to the 250 scholarships offered to high school students for an academic homestay program, there are two other scholarship components of the Congress- Bundestag program.  Each requires a separate application process.


*''Can I host a student from Germany?''
You can make intercultural learning a family experience.  Developing languaeg skills, sharing cultures, and making international friendships for life is a large part of what the CBYX program is all about.  The CBYX program is a reciprocal exchange- high school students from the United States study abroad in Germany while students from Germany study in the U.S. and live with a volunteer host family.

While hosting a German exchange student is not a prerequisite for program participation, we encourage your family to consider this rewarding international opportunity.  German students come witht heir own spending money and medical insurance.  Volunteer host families provide them with a place to sleep, a place to study, three meals a day, and support and encouragement throughout their year in the country.  As you complete the outbound application process, please discuss the option of hosting an inbound student with your family.  For more information on hosting a German exchange student, please contact one of the exchaneg organizations.

== Resources ==

*[[Media:Congressional Rep Appointment Instructions2008.doc]]
*[http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org]

[[Category:Sending]]