CBYX, Explained

I was looking at my other posts and realized I never really explained what CBYX is, exactly. So here goes: CBYX stands for the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, and is a program funded by the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag. Each year, for about ten months, 250 American students go to Germany and 250 German students come to America. No, a German student won't be coming to live in my house while I'm away. I don't "trade places" with anyone, but that would be cool. Anyways, in about a month I'm going to get the information on my host family, who I'll live with for the majority of the year. Students are placed in small towns and attend the local public high school. The classes are taught in german, and the student can only return home in the event of an emergency. Family can visit after January 2nd. To start the program, there's a  three-day orientation in Washington D.C., followed by a three-week language and culture camp. There's so much more I could say, but this is the jest of it. I'm so excited. Sometimes I'll still just smile and shake my head, thinking I'm actually going to Germany. Wow. I know I'll get tons of papers, important booklets, and that sort of thing, and I'm working on my german, I can now conjugate verbs in the present tense. *pats self on back*. I've got a lot more to do before I leave in exactly 130 days, but then again, I have 130 days to do all that needs to be done. Until next time!

Finally!

Over twenty-five pages later (I had to add a couple to the twenty-three page packet), the second app has been submitted. Putting it in the mailbox and putting the little red flag up felt like the weight of the world had lifted from my shoulders, and now I just wait! I can't wait to see who my host family will be. T-minus 139 days until Washington D.C!! I've passed that OMGWHAT phase and now I'm more in the "Wow. So much to  do" phase. I hope my second app gets to where it needs to be, and now I just sit back and relax.

The Secondary Application

Oh geez. The secondary application is, well, a second application, and it's to help place you with a host family. It's nice to answer these questions knowing that I'm in and I can't be rejected, but it's twenty-three pages. Hoooly cow. There's a lot of basic information you have to put down, such as your daily schedule and hobbies and such. I have to write a letter to my host parents, and so do my actual parents. It's way bigger than the original application, and I only have about a week or so to complete it as I'll be out of the country week after next. So much to do, so little time! It'll be worth it, though. I've ordered a language-learning software program as well as a book entitled: The Exchange Student's Survival Guide, which covers pretty much everything you need to know about culture shock, your place in the host family, and that sort of thing. It's still so crazy to think that this is actually happening, a dream become a reality. More later!

Accepted!!

It started with a dream of attending boarding school. That's right, boarding school. Then, my dad told me about the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, or CBYX. Basically, 250 students from all over the country go to Germany for a year, and vice versa. Why not? I thought. I grew more and more excited as I began applying. Teacher recommendations, short essays, transcripts and so much more were required, papers signed, and before I knew it, I had gotten an email inviting me for an interview. My interview was in Richmond, Virginia. There were probably thirty other people there. We played some fun group games, and one by one, we were called out for our individual interviews. I was interviewed by two people, who were both very relaxed and cool. They asked a lot of "what would you do in this situation?" kind of questions. It lasted thirty minutes. Phone numbers were exchanged, and the waiting began. Then, yesterday, March 13th, this little beauty came in my inbox:
"Dear Anna,

We would like to be the first to congratulate you on your acceptance to the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship Program! CIEE is thrilled to have you among our 50 students chosen from the Southeast United States..."

And so, my journey begins. 

FAQs:

"How old are you?" Fifteen. That's right, fifteen. I really didn't think I would be accepted this year but here I am, prepping for departure! I know I'm young, and I know that it will probably be the hardest thing I've ever done, but I've never been more sure about anything.

"When do you leave?" August 8th :)

"Are you nervous?" Who wouldn't be at least a little? Yes, I am, but I'm SO excited I can't even describe it. 

"How long is the program?" We leave in August and return in late June, so about ten months.

"How much German do you know?" Pretty much none. I'm going to get a Rosetta Stone-esque program to help me, though.

I'll answer any more questions people send me. Until next time! Auf Wiedersehen!