What is CBYX?

CBYX, the entire reason for my life...but what is it?

CBYX stands for the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program. In which every year the United States(and German)government awards 250 high school students a scholarship to live in Germany for a year, for close to nothing.

The program began in 1983 as a way for the US government to help build relations with Germany as "youth ambassadors". What the students get out of it is a life changing experience, and a global perspective of the world, as well as learning about German culture while teaching about American culture, and essentially helping to get rid of stereotypes. I see it as a way to become more independent and understand the world on a global and international level.

That's all fine and dandy, but what exactly will I be doing with this scholarship?
Well, assuming that I actually get the scholarship, I will live with a host family who I've never met, I know some people think that's crazy, somewhere in Germany for 10-11 months while attending a German high school, learning about the culture and the language. I get to take some trips in Germany and I get to take a trip to the capital of Berlin. This scholarship pays for almost everything, it doesn't cover, spending money, domestic airfare, and my travel expenses(i.e., to school) once I get to my host home. The best part of this scholarship is that I get to learn a language in the greatest way imaginable, total immersion.

I found out about the scholarship last February(2009-not long after the deadline!!!) and I've been waiting for my chance to apply for it ever since. Now having applied and having had my interview in late February, I'm just waiting, not so patiently, to hear back about what the next step in the process is.

So that gives you a basic background on what CBYX is.
There is more information at the official CBYX website .