Parlamentarisches Patenschafts-Programm (PPP) / Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) in Germany
Origins:
In order to intensify
cooperation between Germany and America a youth exchange program
was set up to be sponsored jointly by the parliaments of both
countries. U.S. Congress and German Bundestag subsequently passed
resolutions to this effect and in October 1983, the tricentennial
of the arrival of the first German settlers in America, the program
was launched.
Aim:
The participants are sponsored by
Members of the German Bundestag with the aim of making young people
aware of the importance of friendly cooperation between Germany and
the United States of America. By agreeing to sponsor participants,
the Members of the German Bundestag actively endorse the program
every year.
Participants:
The participants, fifteen
to seventeen year old high school students and young professionals
up to the age of twenty-two, are expected to be "junior
ambassadors" for Germany. They are granted full scholarships. This
includes travel, necessary insurance, program and school costs but
no spending money.
Applications:
High school students and
young professionals send their applications to the German exchange
organizations responsible for their Bundestag district. If they
meet the basic eligibility requirements they will be invited to
participate in the preselection process.
Selection:
Following a preliminary
evaluation of the applicants by the exchange organizations, Members
of the German Bundestag select the participants. Applicants will be
evaluated based on evidence of the personal qualities essential for
adjustment to another culture, such as flexibility, open-mindedness
and motivation for a cross-cultural experience.
Program:
All participants attend
pre-departure and post-arrival orientation camps. Additional
seminars are also included in the program. High school students
live in host families and are admitted to public schools. Young
professionals attend vocational high school and complete an
internship with a company.
Financing:
Every year a budget of
approximately $ 2.9 million in the USA and € 3.2 million in
Germany is made available to finance the program.
More information:
Complete information
about the German side of the program is available at www.bundestag.de/ppp.
Complete information about the American side of the program (CBYX)
is available at
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/students/europe/german.htm