4th-year Abena Sekum Appiah-Ofori (CLAS'23)'s upcoming experience in Germany

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals is a fellowship jointly funded by the German Bundestag and the U.S. Department of State. It offers an annual cultural immersion program to 75 American and 75 German young professionals aged between 18½ to 24 years. The program enables them to spend a year in each other's countries, studying, interning, and living with host families. The program comprises three phases: a two-month intensive German language training, a semester of academic or career-related coursework at a university, technical or professional school, and a three to five-month internship in one's career field.

"I applied to CBYX because the program can provide me with valuable language skills, cultural knowledge, and professional connections that can further my interest in immigration resettlement, both in Germany and globally. I’m interested in studying in Germany, particularly because the country is a leader in equitable immigration policies and attentive resettlement of refugees.

During the study phase, I’ll take courses at a German university that specialize in immigration and refugee studies. To further my experience, I'll also be looking into volunteer opportunities with organizations that work on immigration issues, such as refugee resettlement agencies or advocacy groups.

Once I move on to the internship phase, I intend to gain hands-on experience in the field by interning with a German organization focused on immigration and refugee issues. This will provide me with invaluable professional connections and the opportunity to learn from professionals in the field.

Throughout the program's phases, I will actively seek opportunities to connect with German individuals and organizations working on immigration and refugee issues, and learn from their experiences and perspectives."