Where does the name “Congress-Bundestag” come from?
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) , administered by the U.S. Department of State, was inaugurated in 1983 through a bilateral agreement between the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag (Parliament). Each country continues to place high value on its success by exchanging over 500 students every year.
While 250 American high school students spend their year learning German, nearly 300 Germans travel to the U.S. to live and study in an American high school. The program aims to foster cultural understanding and diplomacy, while promoting the German and English languages.
CBYX places high emphasis on learning about the political systems of each country. Students who have the opportunity to travel to Germany as CBYX Scholars are regarded as youth ambassadors of the United States.
Who is CIEE?
Established in 1947, CIEE (the Council on International Educational Exchange) is a world-leader in language learning and cultural exchange services. Our mission is "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world." To fulfill that mission, CIEE provides both outbound international education experiences for university students, faculty, and administrators, and study, work, and internship opportunities for people coming into the U.S.
What does the scholarship include?
Recipients of the Congress-Bundestag Scholarship will receive a full-year program which includes the following:
- International airfare to and from Germany (departing from Washington D.C.)
- Pre- Departure orientation in Washington D.C.
- Three-week language and cultural immersion camp
- Mid-year meeting in Bonn
- Host family stay in Germany (including meals and lodging)
- Schooling/classes while in Germany
- Local Coordinator Supervision
- Health and accident insurance
- End-of-year seminar in Berlin
Not included:
- Personal expenses (such as travel, toiletries, allowance)
- Personal phone calls/internet use
- Transportation/domestic airfare and associated fees to and from Washington D.C.
- U.S. passport fee
Where in Germany will I be living?
Students participating in the Congress-Bundestag Program will be placed throughout Germany according to their common likes/dislikes/activities and other criteria supplied on the secondary application (provided once students are selected for the program). Experiment e.V., the German organization which partners with CIEE, works to make the best match with a host family, school, and Local Coordinator. Placements are made according to such criteria and not geography.
What about school credits?
While CIEE facilitates the exchange to Germany, students are responsible for configuring the transfer of school credits/classes between Germany and the U.S. While most students receive credit for their work in Germany, CIEE does not guarantee specific classes or credits.
How long is the program?
The program is approximately 11 months, with departure in late July and return in late June.
Can I come home during the year?
No. In maintaining the standards of the program, students are not permitted to return the U.S. during the program year. Additionally, family members are only permitted to visit the student in Germany only AFTER January 2.
Who is eligible?
To apply for the Congress-Bundestag Scholarship, you must be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident; have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and be between the ages of 15 and 18 at the start of the program. German language IS NOT a requirement.
Application & Selection
Qualified applicants should complete the CBYX application online at www.usagermanyscholarship.org. Click on “Application & Selection” to access the application and downloadable forms. We encourage uploading personal recommendations and submitting these electronically, recommendations can be mailed to the CIEE office directly and will be matched to the rest of the application. Recommenders can mail forms directly to 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101. CIEE will notify students by email once recommendations have arrived.
When will I find out if I am selected?
Students who apply for the scholarship will be notified when their application is received. The CIEE Selection Committee will review applications and select students to be interviewed in February and March. (Students who are not selected will be notified). Final notification will be mailed at the beginning of April.
Have more questions?
Residents from the Southeast U.S. can contact CIEE by:
Phone: (800) 448-9944
Email: cb@ciee.org
CIEE mailing address:
CBYX Program
CIEE
300 Fore Street
Portland, ME 04101 USA
Please be sure to reference the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Program when you call or write.
If you live in a region outside of the Southeast U.S., please visit www.usagermanyscholarship.or/ to find out which selection organization you should contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
