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CONGRESS-BUNDESTAG YOUTH EXCHANGE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, the transatlantic relationships between the United States and European democracies are some of our most important. It is important we work together, try to understand each other, and communicate--not only on a political but on a personal level--through our citizens.
For nearly 40 years, a cultural and political exchange has occurred between the United States and Germany through young members of society. In fact, my office is currently participating.
Maja Sondermann is a 21-year-old from a town close to Frankfurt, Germany, a young professional and student studying marketing and advertisement and currently interning for my office. She is a participant in the 39th year of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, CBYX, a program jointly funded by the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag, and one of five CBYX participants currently interning on the Hill.
Initiated in 1983, the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange offers young Americans and Germans the opportunity to explore each other's culture. This cultural exchange program involves participants moving to the U.S. or Germany for 1 year and strengthens the ties of our American-German relationship through citizen diplomacy.
Over 26,000 American and German high school students, vocational students, and young professionals have thus far participated in and benefited from this incredible experience.
Even through the pandemic the participants remained resilient and joined the cultural exchange virtually. This year, the CBYX was able to return to an in-person exchange in August of 2021. For the duration of the program, the participants live with host families, immersing themselves in the daily life of a different culture, and attend classes, and the young professionals even work in the foreign country. They form bonds and friendships with people whom they meet during the year abroad and learn about a different culture while fully immersing in it and building strong personal and professional connections.
The participants on both sides gain a new perspective on global affairs, politics, and socioeconomic topics, as well as a new sense of empowerment, independence, and knowledge of a different culture and what it means to be a global citizen.
Their contribution to cultural exchange and the American-German friendship doesn't end with their flight back home. These young minds are positively impacted through this experience, as they share it with others after returning to their home countries.
Even beyond that, the participants stay connected with the people they meet and other participants. Many alumni of the program continue to contribute to transatlantic relations on both sides through the alumni network and their personal career paths.
With the upcoming 40th anniversary of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange in 2023, and as a member of the German-American Caucus, I want to draw attention to this important program. It continues to support both our nations' transatlantic bonds while also inspiring so many young minds to engage in a cultural and political exchange.
Madam Speaker, the CBYX program is an exceptional chance for our countries to connect and communicate on a different level and form relationships that will last and positively impact our future since the program directly impacts the foundation of our future young citizens.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 25
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