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Goodbye America, Hallo Deutschland!
The exciting journey from Washington, DC to Germany with the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange Program!
What to Expect - Orientation
This blog gives a brief expectation of what will happen at the initial Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) orientation.
Auf Wiedersehen und Hallo
This week I have been packing my bags and saying my goodbyes. Yesterday I spent my last day at home hanging out with my best friend Caden and my family... keep reading
Sunburned Essays and the Road to Germany
A few days ago, CIEE had a webinar for high school students going on the CBYX program. It was run by our usual CIEE team (the people we’ve been communicating... keep reading
Predeparture: Preparing, Practicing, and Packing
“Hey, would you wanna go to Germany next year!?” -My mom, 2024. Little did I know the impact that simple question would have on me. My name is Ally, and... keep reading
Changing Weather - And Worlds
A young Floridian describes his summer experience preparing for a year in Germany.
Preparing for Germany
Starting off, I’m Andrew from Oregon and it’s just 36 days until I leave for the journey of a lifetime. Right now, writing this I realize how different the last... keep reading
Winter into Spring
Catching You Up It’s been an amazing — and busy — past few months! The winter flew by, and honestly, I’m happy it’s behind me. Riding my bike to school... keep reading
My Last Three Months
Three Months in Germany: It’s hard to believe I’ve already been in Germany for three months. Time has flown by so quickly — sometimes it feels like I’ve been in... keep reading
Before the Flight: Preparing for My Exchange Year
In my first blog post, I discuss my thoughts about leaving home for a whole year, what I am looking forward to, and what I have been doing to prepare.
Czeched Out (Exchange to Prague)
It has now been ten months since I and so many others stepped on the plane headed to Germany. As the days pass by in the blink of an eye, I can only think of one German phrase that seems to capture the feeling of it all: Jetzt geht's richtig los.
Spring in Germany
I still distinctly remember the day I sat down to spend hours reading all of the CIEE blogs from last year’s participants. It was so exciting to imagine spending a... keep reading
Love Letter to Leipzig
Of all the places in Germany I’ve visited, I’ve never felt so immediately drawn to a city. As silly as it sounds, I’m certain it was love at first sight. The second my train pulled up to the platform and I stepped out, I just knew. It’s like finding someone you’ve longed for your whole life, where everything is somehow familiar and falls into place. As if Leipzig was made for you and no one else.
A Little Trip to Bonn
Bonn will always have a special place in my heart. Known for its famous Beethoven-Haus and history as the old capital of West Germany, there is so much to see and do. You can spend hours just wandering aimlessly through the cobblestone streets, no destination in mind.
The Nürnberger Christmas Market
Christmas markets are exactly like snow globes. Don’t believe me? Grab your nearest snow globe and look inside. For the most part, you’ll see a perfect Christmas scene: friendly snow... keep reading