Alumna chosen for high-profile fellowshipJune 14, 2010 KALAMAZOO--A Western Michigan University alumna from Hamilton, Mich., has received a yearlong, federally-funded fellowship for study and work in Germany. Denise Dietrich, who graduated from WMU in December 2009, is one of 75 people selected out of more than 630 applicants to participate in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals program as a 2010-11 fellow. The unique CBYX for Young Professionals program was conceived by members of the U.S. Congress and German Parliament, or Bundestag. It is financially supported by the Bundestag and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State under the authority of the Fulbright-Hays Act. Dietrich, a member of the Lee Honors College while at WMU, minored in German and earned a bachelor's degree in theatre with a concentration in design and technical production. During her time in Germany, she will attend a two-month intensive German language course, study at a German university or professional school for four months, and complete a five-month internship in her career field at a German company. The CBYX program selects participants from all over the United States and places them throughout Germany, where they learn about everyday German life while gaining cultural, theoretical and practical work experience. It is designed primarily for young adults in business, technical, engineering, vocational and agricultural fields, although candidates in all career fields are encouraged to apply. German language ability is strongly recommended but not required. A reciprocal scholarship program, CBYX also brings young German professionals to the United States for a year to live and work. German participants live with an American host while studying at a college in the fall and working at a local business in the spring. For more information about the CBYX for Young Professionals program, visit CBYX.info. Contact CBYX at cbyx@cdsintl.org to participate as a host family, company or college. Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu WMU News |