Auburn senior awarded scholarship for study in Germany

Will Lewis, an Auburn senior, has earned a spot in the highly competitive Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program, one of only 75 students selected nationwide. He will spend the next year in Germany, engaging in a transformative cultural immersion experience.

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals is a fully funded fellowship that grants aspiring American and German professionals the opportunity to work, learn and live in each other's countries. The year-long immersion program, jointly funded by the U.S. Congress and German Bundestag, is divided into three main phases beginning with two months of intensive language training.

An immersion in language

Graduating with a double major in German and economics from the College of Liberal Arts, Lewis feels prepared by the German program to navigate potential language barriers.

“I have been studying German for about eight years, and the wonderful professors in Auburn’s German program have done a great job preparing the large number of us that are choosing or hoping to move to Germany after graduation,” Lewis said.

The next phase of the CBYX program includes four months of academic study at a German university, technical or professional institute, where participants complete coursework related to their chosen career fields.

In the final phase, participants have the opportunity to gain real-world work experience through a five-month internship with a German organization.

Lewis first learned about the opportunities offered by the program through the support and guidance of the people in behind the German program, an offering in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Culture.

“They do a great job promoting various opportunities for the students that can take us abroad,” he shared. “I first heard about this specific program during my sophomore year and was immediately interested in it for a number of reasons. Not only will spending a year in Germany be incredible, but I will also have the opportunity to take classes, get an internship and volunteer in my local community.”

Providing a brighter future

Lewis is set to depart in July and will return in June 2026. Then, he plans to pursue a doctorate in economics. He believes the CBYX program is a crucial step in his postgraduate journey, helping him gain academic and work experience, improving his language skills and providing a unique cultural perspective that will shape his personal and professional growth.

“Will is very dedicated to learning not only the German language, but also about the culture and history of Germany. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him as well as his German language professors, Anja Werth, Bettina Christner and Traci O’Brien," noted Paul Harris, professor of political science. "His enthusiasm and commitment to building bridges across cultures will help advance German-American friendship.”

Applications for the CBYX program include a written portion and an interview. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens 18.5 to 24 years old who demonstrate clear career goals and relevant experience as well as a strong interest in German and world affairs.

This award includes round-trip airfare, health insurance while living in Germany, monthly stipends for living expenses and tuition for language and academic courses.