ASSE International Student Exchange

I went to Germany for a year through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange scholarship, so I'm not sure how much it differs from the regular ASSE Germany exchange programs. It was one of my first times abroad, and I had a wonderful and supportive host family to help me along the way. The program itself was relatively hands-off, so I really had the chance to make the experience the way I wanted to beyond the required orientation, language camp, meet ups, and reentry conferences. I grew so much during my year abroad, and learned a language I never expected I would learn. I fell in love with Germany and have been back to visit my host family and friends a few times since returning.

My year in Germany was one of the hardest but also the greatest times of my life! Coming to Germany not knowing any German was definitely the first struggle that I had but thankfully I was able to learn the basics at the language camp the first month. The German culture and American culture are similar in some but different in others and you have to keep that in mind when you are there. Don't assume that just because we do it differently in the United States that they will do it as well. School is another challenge that you will have to overcome, being in german-only classes (with the exception of English) you will be lost and have no idea what is going on. But make sure to try and write notes down, it will help and over time you will slowly come to understand. When you are at that moment of giving up, don't. You can and will overcome it. Be willing to push yourself and become uncomfortable with messing up, it really is the best way to learn. If you push through the hardships you will be rewarded with the fun times. The friends that you create will be for a lifetime...they are your new family! My year abroad not only taught me a new language and culture but it also taught me more about myself​ and how to be okay with messing up and being far from home. I fell in love with Germany and am glad to call it a second home!

Participating in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange allowed me to explore places, make connections, and learn new skills that I had never even considered before. Coming from Hawaii, I was uncertain of how I would fit in, but I’ve made friends for life through this program and am ready to take on any challenge that awaits me in the future. I now plan to study Linguistics and German in college after discovering my passion for language during my exchange year. Complete immersion was difficult for the majority of the year, especially since I could not speak a word of German upon arrival in Germany. But through lots of perseverance, late nights studying vocab with my host mom, and making friends in school, I was able to discover how much I could push myself to grow intellectually as well as socially. During my exchange year, I was also able to meet German and American government officials, which is such a unique experience that I will remember forever. I would recommend this program to anyone who is willing to put in hard work that will benefit them in all future endeavors!

My exchange to Germany was an interesting life experience with many lessons to be learned. There were many ups and downs, but I would not be the person I am today without going through my year abroad. It was a very educational experience as I learned not only about language and culture, but also about people and what links human beings together.

Originally when I heard about CBYX I thought it was too good to be true, I thought there were hidden fees or maybe a scam all together. This was certainly not the case. During and after my application I was in contact constantly with people ready to help. My group of 50 peers spent a month in a BEAUTIFUL city and that month alone gave me unforgettable experiences. There we learned about the German language and customs. After that everyone took a train to their host families. We would be put in German high schools and essentially left to our own devices, becoming more and more independent throughout the year even though we didn't know it. It is really hard to put into words how an experience like this changes your perspective-being a guest in someone else's culture and way of life. A truly unforgettable experience with a lifelong impact

I got so much more out of this experience than I could have ever expected and left the experience a completely different person. ASSE takes care in making sure that not only your host family, but your school itself is perfectly suited for you. When I first got my placement, I was skeptical because the selected high school wasn’t what I had expected, but it was the perfect match for me. I made dozens of friends and did things that were so random, they weren’t even on my ‘exchange student bucket list’, like going on a stargazing camp deep in the mountains of Nagoya, or meeting my best friend whom integrated me into the underground Tokyo rock and roll scene. I even performed in a band at my schools festival. Most importantly though, the host family I was placed in became a second home for me, we love each other dearly even now (I have since returned to and am living in Tokyo). Do not pass up on this opportunity. If you are lost in your adolescence and feel directionless, this is exactly what you need. The staff and associated members in this program guide you to everything you want in a study abroad program. If I hadn’t have gone with this program, I honestly don’t know what I’d be doing with my life right now and I certainly wouldn’t have a second language under my belt.

It was amazing to travel with a group of other students. I had my eyes open about the different family structures in the world and how day to day life can be different in another country. I am happy I went on an exchange.

Had a lot of fun experiencing a different school system, community, and culture~ Taiwan is a super nice place especially if you go somewhere with lots of public transportation. It's really fast, convenient, and safe. The people are super nice too, not only those at school but just every day people in general.

I never had a chance to go abroad, due to lack of financial stuffs but as a incoming senior high school i want to ask for a little to chance for me to have an opportunity to study abroad. Im a student-athlete, An honor student, I love to direct short films. I hope this talents would help me to achieve my dreams. This is not for me but for my family