Matthew Franks, CC '09, has been selected to participate in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX), a year-long, federally-funded fellowship for study and work in Germany. Matthew was selected as one of 75 participants (from more than 630 applicants) for this unique fellowship program. Since 1984, approximately 1,500 Americans have been awarded this opportunity to gain cultural, theoretical, and practical work experience in Germany, and Matthew will be participating in the 27th year of the CBYX program (2010-2011).
While in Germany on CBYX, Matthew will attend a two-month intensive German language course, study at a German university or professional school for four months, and complete a five-month internship with a German company in his career field. Participants are placed throughout Germany, and have the opportunity to learn about everyday German life from a variety of perspectives.
Conceived and supported by members of the United States Congress and the German Parliament [Bundestag], the CBYX program is financially supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State under the authority of the Fulbright-Hays Act, and by the Bundestag. Participants come from nearly every career field, and from all over the United States.
The program is designed primarily for young adults in business, technical, engineering, vocational, and agricultural fields, though candidates in all career fields are encouraged to apply. Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 18-24 and have clear career goals and experience in their professional fields. German language ability is not required, but is strongly recommended. Interested applicants can visit www.CBYX.info for more information.
CBYX is a reciprocal scholarship program. While American participants like Matthew will experience life in Germany, young German professionals will live here in the United States during the upcoming academic year. German participants study at US colleges in the fall and work at local businesses in the spring, all while living with an American host throughout the year. CBYX for Young Professionals is currently looking for interested host families, host companies, and host colleges who would like to take part in this exciting cultural exchange. Anyone interested in becoming involved in the program or hosting a German participant can contact CBYX via email at cbyx@cdsintl.org.