Category | Arts & Living

Student encourages others to study abroad

Published on April 28, 2009 by Mallory Brewer

Last fall, two students came into Ashley Eller’s German class to give a presentation about the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), a program sponsored by CDS International. After hearing the guests speak about the CBYX program, Eller, a sophomore International Business major, was intrigued. The program seemed perfect because she didn’t want just to study-she wanted to do everything.

Eller started her German studies in high school: “I was more interested in the culture than the language,” she said.

A trip to Germany in 2006 to visit a friend and to watch the Summer World Cup cemented that interest. “It was great to see national pride,” Eller said. “It wasn’t just about Germany-it was about every country coming together for this game of soccer.”

All of Eller’s experiences with German language and culture led her to choose a minor in German at KSU. In class, Dr. Sabine Smith encouraged Eller and her other students to seek opportunities abroad, listing various ways to finance them.

Eller echoed Smith: “You don’t have to go the expensive way-you can at least choose programs that help you halfway, like CBYX,” Eller said.

Before applying to the CBYX program, Eller had to meet the criteria: 18-24 years old, 3.0 GPA, U.S. citizenship, an employer and professor recommendation, a transcript for two years of education and a résumé. CDS didn’t require any previous knowledge of German for candidacy.

  The CDS selection process for the CBYX program was nationwide. Before Dec. 1, 2008, 500 people filled out the nine-page application online, which included eight essay questions. Out of 500 applicants, 150 were selected for interviews on Jan. 17 at the German Cultural Center in Atlanta. From that pool of interviewees, Eller and 74 others found out on Feb. 26, two weeks earlier than expected, that they were chosen for the program. Although the process was time-consuming, “I definitely think it was worth it-if you don’t try, you’re never going to know if you could have done it,” Eller said.

As CDS requires, Eller is choosing her own classes and finding her own job. As part of the CBYX program, participants will study for three months in an intensive German language course. Then CDS will transport participants to their host families. While living there, they will spend half of the nine months as students in nearby colleges.

At college, all course instruction will be in German. Students won’t receive actual credit for the courses-it will be more of an auditing experience. Also, semesters in Germany are different from those in the United States, so the CBYX students will come in to classes when they start, but will leave before the term ends in December.

For the other half of the program, students will work as interns for whichever company they chose. Eller isn’t afraid that she won’t be able to find a job, even considering the world’s economic state: “The government will still pay for you if you really can’t find a job.”

She does have a preference as to where to work. “I would like to work in some kind of business atmosphere. I want to live and work in Germany later,” Eller said. But she said she wouldn’t mind working somewhere more casual, like a restaurant or a shoe store.

Eller isn’t worried about making mistakes or being embarrassed about them. “[Germans are] very accepting as long as you’re willing to learn the language and as long as you put yourself out there first.”

  “I hope the CBYX experience will give me a better understanding of myself and how I feel about the world,” Eller said. To fellow students who may be hesitant to face such challenges, Eller said, “Stop saying ‘I wish I could do that.’ Just get out there and do it.”

      Eller is currently working with Dr. Daniel Paracka, Director of International Services and Programs to sort out the academic side of her CBYX participation. “It’s great to see students get excited about the world and take on wonderful international experiences,” Paracka said. “We always support students in their goals to study abroad.”

Paracka added that KSU always has students who are doing interesting things like internships and working abroad.

“[Studying abroad is] not cheap, but it’s worth it,” Paracka said. “Our programs are some of the least expensive offered. It’s a real bargain in that sense.” The International Services and Programs department has $700,000 to give away annually through Global Learning scholarships to students who want to study or work abroad. The average award is $750.

  “Every single student who studies abroad will get at least $250. If you’re studying a language or if you’re going for longer, you will get a lot more money,” Paracka said. He estimated that more money could be $2,000 or more right now.

“International travel really opens your mind. It lets you know how many options you have in life. It’s a very freeing, eye-opening experience,” Paracka said. “If you let it, the world can teach you.”