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.
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 $ 3.5 million in the USA and € 3.6 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
