Elizabeth Francis, a current UHS sophomore, has been awarded the prestigious Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year! This scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. State Department and German Federal Parliament. It encompasses a 10-month stay in Germany while attending a German high school, orientations in Washington D.C. and Germany, and cultural excursions. Local hosts provide room and board and the unique experience of becoming an integral part of their family. To get ready for her immersion year, our Elizabeth will spend a month in an intensive language camp before joining her host family.

The purpose of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) is to provide young generations of Americans “new perspectives on global current affairs and German social, economic and political life.” According to the US State Department, the CBYX  “is a testament to America’s relationship with Germany, and the mutual commitment to public diplomacy. [It] has been so successful that we chose it as a model for other youth exchange programs [and] is an important tool of U.S. diplomacy.” 

The CBYX helps add a much needed facet to the lives of young Americans, by providing them an intimate understanding of another language, people, and culture. Through this they are able to see themselves and their country through another set of lenses and to take their first steps in becoming global citizens. 

Elizabeth and her family are so excited and nervous for this new adventure and we wish our J-Hawk good luck during this amazing journey! We are so #ProudofU #UBelongHere #UHSPride

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