On behalf of the U.S. Department of State, it is our pleasure to announce the newest cohort of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program! Young Americans from across the United States were selected for the 2026-2027 exchange. The group arrived in Germany on July 29th for an 11-month program of intensive language studies, homestay, internships and university study with placements throughout Germany.
The 2026-2027 cohort represents 35 states and territories. Participant career fields include international business, engineering, public health, education, international affairs, real estate, culinary arts, among many others.
Now in its 43rd year as a joint program of the German Bundestag and U.S. Congress, CBYX for Young Professionals provides 65 American and 65 German young leaders the opportunity to spend up to a year in each other’s countries studying, interning, and living with host families. The fellowship is open to candidates in all career fields between the ages of 18 ½ and 24 who are interested in a year of academic, professional, and cultural exchange. CBYX also offers opportunities for high school students and individuals interested in vocational training. You can learn more about the CBYX program at exchanges.state.gov/cbyx.
Cultural Vistas administers the CBYX for Young Professionals program through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. For additional information about CBYX for Young Professionals please visit our webpage.
If you have any questions about our cohort or the CBYX for Young Professionals program, please contact us at cbyx@culturalvistas.org.
Meet our 43rd Cohort below
Caleb Ellis
Professional Field: Computer Science
Caleb Ellis is a rising Junior at the University of North Alabama, who is majoring in Computer Science while minoring in German and Mathematics. He worked as a German tutor at his university and gained software engineering experience through an internship with a defense contractor. Outside of school and work, he enjoys running, working out, speaking German, and building apps or extensions that are either interesting or useful to him. Caleb is looking forward to the opportunity to improve his German even further and fully immerse himself in the German culture.
Jamal Henderson
Professional Field: Social Work
Jamal Henderson currently attends Jacksonville State University, pursuing a degree in social work. He aims to use this degree to help marginalized communities while pursuing a minor in Spanish. Jamal is currently undertaking an internship with refugees and asylum seekers and hopes that during his time in Germany, he will be able to discover Germany’s differing social systems and their values. Jamal looks forward to his year at CBYX as a chance for growth, learning German, and experiencing living in a different culture while exchanging his own. Meanwhile, during Jamal’s free time, he likes to volunteer, read, podcast, and spend time with his friends.
Ella Stephenson
Professional Field: Public Relations
Ella Stephenson graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Alabama (UNA) in December 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and a minor in Marketing. Since 2023, she has worked in UNA’s Office of Media and Public Relations, where she supports strategic communications and public relations initiatives. As an undergraduate, she served as Firm Director of Mane Agency, UNA’s student-run public relations firm, leading client projects for businesses and non-profit organizations across a variety of industries.
Ella has a strong interest in intercultural communication, global affairs, and public diplomacy, and she plans to pursue graduate studies in Global Studies in preparation for a career in international relations.
She chose to participate in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program because she believes international exchange strengthens mutual understanding, empathy, and global citizenship. Ella looks forward to improving her German language skills, immersing herself in German culture, and building lasting relationships while gaining new perspectives that will shape both her personal and professional future.
Hunter Fleischhacker
Professional Field: Computer Science
Hunter Fleischhacker is a Computer Science graduate from the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he also completed a minor in German. He grew up in Chugiak, Alaska and has studied German for 7+ years. He’s especially interested in the connection between language learning, cultural exchange, and international understanding.
Hunter enjoys building practical software projects and exploring how technology can solve real problems. His interests include applied AI, blockchain technology, distributed systems, interactive web applications, and making technical tools more useful and accessible. Outside of his academic and technical work, he enjoys hiking, tennis, rock climbing, training in the gym, reading, and spending time with his family. As a 2026-2027 CBYX fellow, Hunter is excited for this opportunity to connect his German studies with a fuller experience of life in Germany. He hopes to learn from Germany’s educational and professional culture while representing Alaska, UAA, and the value of long-term international exchange.
Mia Janosik
Professional Field: Arts Administration
Mia Janosik is a young professional in the field of arts administration. She received her B.M. in Music Performance from University of the Pacific in 2025 where she studied voice and opera. Since graduating, she has been employed with prominent arts organizations in her hometown of San Jose, working with Opera San Jose and Symphony San Jose during their successful 25/26 seasons. Mia is excited to continue exploring the world of music and the arts through her role as a cultural ambassador in Germany and looks forward to the opportunity to step out of her comfort zone to meet new people and share new experiences.
Coral Johnson
Professional Field: Culinary/Content Creation
Coral is crafting her own path in life as an entrepreneur passionate about food, growth, and wellness. She began her career working professionally in kitchens this year, documenting her journey through her social media page: @savorwithcoral. She enjoys yoga, good conversation, and exercising free will to see where life takes her. In fact, she can’t believe that her 4th grade Duolingo obsession is now turning into a major chapter in her life! Coral is honored to be a CBYX fellow and is hoping to gain fluency in German, adopt new habits, incorporate different lifestyle practices, and gain cultural insights! Her main goal is to inspire people to be pleasantly surprised — with their abilities, palates, and mindset — and she believes traveling will allow her to expand that impact. She believes that good work can be done in many different ways, and is unafraid to explore those possibilities!
Leo Kurland
Professional Field: Film, Theatre, & Television Production and Management
Leo Kurland is a recent graduate of Northwestern University with a double major in Theatre (Playwriting) and History. At Northwestern, he worked as a producer on numerous theatrical productions ranging from experimental theatre to operas and had five of his own original full-length plays produced.
Since graduating, Leo has worked as a production assistant on short films and as an assistant commercial video editor. He had his professional playwriting debut in June 2026 with a production of his play Driver, Lender in Plainfield, Vermont. He looks forward to participating in the CBYX program and the opportunity to immerse himself in Germany’s arts, culture, and community.
Anna Lieggi
Professional Field: International Relations and Diplomacy
Anna Lieggi is a recent graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, with dual degrees in Political Science and Global Studies. At UC Berkeley, she consistently pursued research opportunities, working with Professor Brookman and later with PhD candidate Nadia Almasalkhi, focusing on welfare policy trends and diaspora political participation. Beyond campus, Anna spent more than 300 hours at the San Francisco Superior Court’s ACCESS Center, where she provided free legal assistance to low-income, self-represented litigants. Over two summers, Anna worked in Washington, D.C., with the Armenian National Committee of America, engaging in political lobbying and advocacy for Armenian POWs and humanitarian aid following the Artsakh War. Building on these experiences, Anna hopes to use her time in Germany to become fluent in German while learning from Germany’s approach to refugee integration and post-conflict reconciliation, applying those lessons to her work in human rights advocacy. Following her year in Germany, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career in public service focused on democracy promotion and access to justice.
Autumn Christeson
Professional Field: Learning Sciences
Autumn grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and relocated to Denver, Colorado in 2019. She holds dual degrees in Leadership and Community Engagement and Sociology, along with a minor in German, from the University of Colorado Boulder, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.
During her time at CU Boulder, Autumn completed an honors thesis titled “Student Perceptions: Experiential and Alternative Learning (EAL) Environments as Sites of Accessibility and Transformative Self-Efficacy,” a project that deepened her commitment to the field of Learning Sciences and laid the foundation for her future academic pursuits.
As a CBYX Fellow, Autumn looks forward to immersing herself in German culture, refining her language skills, and broadening her perspective through meaningful cross-cultural exchange. Upon completing the fellowship, she plans to pursue graduate study in Learning Sciences, where she hopes to apply the insights and experiences gained abroad to her research and professional practice.
Haylee Von Behren
Professional Field: International Business
Haylee graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, concentrating in Management, Innovation, and International Business, and a minor in German. While at CSU, she worked in the Office of Scholarship and Fellowship Advising, helping international students identify funding pathways, and dedicated much of her time to a multi-year research project focused on enhancing the international student experience. She has also interned for Governor Jared Polis and served as a project management intern for Jefferson County. Through CBYX, Haylee looks forward to immersing herself in German culture, and reconnecting with exchange students her family has hosted from Europe over the years.
Jocelyn Parker
Professional Field: Foreign Affairs
Jocelyn Parker recently graduated cum laude from American University’s School of International Service, where she studied International Affairs with a concentration in Foreign Policy, National Security, and Global Comparative Governance. During her time at AU, she completed five internships with various U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, and held two research assistantships focused on U.S.-German relations and genocide studies. As a first-generation college student, she also worked as a Resident Assistant and student leader, mentoring and supporting fellow first-generation students and helping create opportunities for their academic, personal, and professional success. Through these experiences, she developed a strong interest in transatlantic relations, public diplomacy, and foreign policy. As a CBYX Young Professional, she looks forward to gaining professional experience in Germany and deepening her understanding of German society and its role in transatlantic relations. She is especially excited to engage with both professional and everyday life abroad while building lasting connections throughout the program. After completing CBYX, she plans to attend law school to study international law and continue pursuing a career in foreign affairs.
Maya Clarke
Professional Field: Environmental Science and Economics
Maya Clarke graduated summa cum laude from the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University with a B.S. in Biological and Physical Sciences, concentrating in Environmental Science, and a minor in Economics. For her thesis, she researched Caribbean reef sponge population dynamics in San Andrés, Colombia. In her career, Maya intends to study the interactions between marine ecosystems and anthropogenic coastal activities. Maya’s love for marine and environmental sciences was inspired by her circumnavigating the world with her family over 8 years on their 53-foot sailboat, S/V Bear. Since graduating, she has worked as a first mate on a traditional day-sailing vessel and as a youth rowing program athletic trainer. Through CBYX, Maya is excited to improve her German language skills and develop strong cross-cultural communication skills, establishing connections that last a lifetime.
Jakob Willis
Professional Field: Urban Planner
Jakob Willis is a rising senior at the University of Central Florida pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Minor in Urban Planning. In his career Jakob aims to utilize urban and transit planning to develop a greater sense of community in American cities and hopes to learn planning techniques used in German cities that increase the number of people using active (walking/biking) or public transportation (trains/trams/buses) rather than cars on the road. As an Orlando native, Jakob has been part of Sunrise Orlando advocating for expanded transit in the Greater Orlando area that would connect the city to its many suburbs and sibling cities in the region.
John Carey
Professional Field: Advanced Manufacturing
John grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and has lived in Georgia for nearly five years. As a CNC machinist with experience in precision manufacturing, John is honored to represent the United States as a participant in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals. Having studied German before the program, John looks forward to further developing language skills, gaining international professional experience, and learning from Germany’s world-renowned manufacturing sector. Looking ahead, John hopes to build a career that combines advanced manufacturing with international engagement, contributing to stronger economic, professional, and cultural ties between the United States and Germany.
John Cannizzaro
Professional Field: Musician
Keoni is an aspiring musician from Kauai, Hawaii. He loves playing music with his friends and the local community and also enjoys recording new music. When he’s not playing music, he’s usually surfing, hiking, or freediving down in the ocean.
Galib Grbic’
Professional Field: Architecture
Galib Grbic’ is a rising 3rd year who studies architecture at the University of Virginia. He is excited to explore architecture and daily life while abroad. In his free time, Galib enjoys drawing, climbing, hiking, and trying new things. During the program, he hopes to foster lifelong bonds while treasuring every moment.
Reganne Watts
Professional Field: Engineering
Reganne was raised in Boise, Idaho and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan in December 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and a minor in International Engineering. Prior to joining CBYX, she worked as a post-bachelor’s student at Los Alamos National Laboratory. She loves travelling and spent a summer studying abroad in Sorrento, Italy. She is excited to learn more about how Germans approach science and engineering problems and is looking forward to improving her language skills. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, knitting, baking, and fencing.
Brayden Wetzel
Professional Field: Biotechnology
Brayden Wetzel is from Boise, Idaho, and earned a B.S. in Plant Biotechnology from Montana State University in 2024. He has over a year of professional experience in the agricultural industry and is passionate about using science and innovation to advance sustainable agriculture. Outside of work, Brayden enjoys volleyball, pickleball, skiing, hiking, and exploring new places. After recently completing a three-month trip across Asia, he is excited to continue his international journey through the CBYX for Young Professionals program by immersing himself in German culture, improving his German language skills, and building lasting international connections.
Megan Ptak
Professional Field: Public Health & Health Security
Megan Ptak is a public health and health security professional with a background in biosecurity, global health policy, and population health. She recently completed her Master of Science in Biohazardous Threat Agents and Emerging Infectious Diseases at Georgetown University, where her research has spanned vaccine policy, global health diplomacy, and pandemic response. She also co-coordinated the 2026 Nuclear Security Summit and a National Security Council roundtable on biotechnology and artificial intelligence.
Prior to Georgetown, Megan earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Public Health and Health Administration and Policy from Creighton University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Her experience includes clinical work at Creighton’s Magis Clinic, a healthcare operations internship with Catholic Health Initiatives, and qualitative research on infant mortality reporting standards. A committed servant leader throughout her academic career, she has been recognized with the Spirit of Creighton Award, the Outstanding Senior Award in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Rev. Tom Schloemer, S.J. Outstanding Leadership Award.
Megan believes that lasting global change is built on personal relationships as much as it is on policy, and that the connections formed between people across borders are among the most underrated tools we have for advancing shared goals. For Megan, CBYX-YPP is first and foremost an opportunity to serve as a citizen diplomat, to listen, learn, and build genuine relationships with German peers that extend well beyond her time in the program. She is committed to nurturing those transatlantic connections long after the program ends, as she views people-to-people relationships as essential to sustainable global cooperation.
Samuel Thomas
Professional Field: EMT
Samuel Thomas is a Gladstone native and will be attending the CBYX exchange program for the next year. He will be joining many other Americans in working and volunteering in Germany and sharing the American culture.
Holley Hannegan
Professional Field: Political Science Holley Hannegan is a recent graduate from Ball State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with minors in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution and German. During her time in college, Holley built a strong background in psychological research through working as a lab assistant and completing her thesis with Dr. Thomas Holtgraves. She was involved in various committees as a student senator in Ball State’s Student Government Association, interned with the university’s Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, and represented her hometown on campus as a student ambassador for Floyd County, Indiana. For two years, she served as the President of Ball State’s German Club and spent one month in Halle, Germany teaching English to refugees. She is excited to return to Germany to further explore the country’s role in international conflicts and later hopes to attend law school or obtain a master’s degree as part of her path towards working for the U.S. State Department.
Ava Seemann
Professional Field: Environmental Science
Ava is a 22-year-old student at Kansas State University majoring in environmental science. She grew up in Olathe, Kansas and earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Johnson County Community College. While studying there, she developed a deep love for the natural world and a passion for learning. In Germany, she hopes to learn about the native flora and fauna and explore the connections between German culture and nature. She aims to bring these insights back to Kansas and pursue a career in prairie conservation.
Joshua Schmidt
Professional Field: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Joshua Schmidt is a senior Industrial and Systems Engineering student at the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville. Originally from Northern Kentucky, Joshua’s ancestral ties to Germany make him especially excited to experience the country firsthand. At Speed School, he has held leadership roles in the Speed School Student Council while also participating in campus ministry and local community musical theatre productions. Joshua has also completed two engineering internships at GE Appliances, where he gained experience in data analysis and continuous improvement projects. In Germany, Joshua looks forward to developing his German language skills, gaining international work experience, building meaningful relationships abroad, and, as a bonus, attending Fußball matches!
Alayna Goss
Professional Field: Cyber Security Alayna is a 21 year old cyber security analyst from Maryland who has had a knack for computers ever since childhood. Her main hobbies include photography, baking, and chess. She has been passionate about learning German and experiencing German culture since age 14, when she discovered her family’s German origins. Alayna’s long-term goal is to pursue computer science at university and advance her career in defensive cyber security. She hopes the CBYX program will deepen her understanding of German language and culture, and allow her to expand her network in Germany.
Ethan Conley
Professional Field: Foreign Policy and German Language
Ethan Conley is a 23 year old native of Hartland, Michigan and recent alumnus of Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree German and International Relations. He hopes to use his degree to strengthen the Transatlantic partnership between the United States and Germany through a career in US diplomacy. In his free time, he enjoys playing board and video games, learning new languages, and making new friends.
Elise Crossman
Professional Field: Accounting, International Studies, and Real Estate
Elise Crossman is from Charlotte, Michigan. She just completed her Accounting and International Studies degree at Northern Michigan University. Throughout college, Elise worked as a licensed Realtor in Michigan, helping people find their dream homes. Moving to Europe has been a dream of hers for years, so she is beyond excited for her CBYX year and all that comes along with living in Germany.
Kate Vaughn
Professional Field: International Exchange Programming
Kate Vaughn is a second-year graduate student studying linguistics at Wayne State University. Born and raised in Detroit, Vaughn got the opportunity during undergrad to study abroad in Germany with the Junior Year in Munich Program, which cemented her love for the German language and culture. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and German with an honors co-major and graduated summa cum laude. Passionate about language learning and cultural exchange, Vaughn began working at Global Ties Detroit after graduation, and plans to use her time as a part of CBYX to further her experience in international exchange facilitation. Ultimately, she wants to make international experiences more accessible for communities like hers. In her free time, Vaughn journals, reads, and passionately supports the Detroit Lions.
Jorja Wegryn-Jones
Professional Field: Public Health
Originally from the village of Dimondale, Michigan, Jorja obtained her Bachelor of Science with distinction and High Honors from the University of Michigan in 2025. She double majored in Public Health and German on a pre-medical track. Throughout her college career, she focused on exploring the intersection of medicine, culture, and sociology. Viewing medicine through a public health lens, she hopes to provide preventative, holistic care in her future career as a general practitioner by leveraging her background as a youth teacher, non-profit organization leader, and workout class instructor. She has taken a German class almost every year since she was thirteen, and grew attached to Germany after two language immersion programs during university. She even completed her Bachelor’s thesis about the development and use of alternative medicine in Germany, and is enthusiastic to learn more about German healthcare through her immersion in the CBYX program. In addition, Jorja is looking forward to furthering her interests of enjoying nature and culture as an ambassador in Germany.
Victoria Baker
Professional Field: Political Science
Victoria Baker recently graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with minors in German and Holocaust & Genocide Studies. Her academic and professional experiences have centered on democracy, civic engagement, and international affairs. As a two time intern with A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy, she helped create resources to strengthen civic participation and democratic engagement within the American Jewish community. She also served as president of her university’s Foreign Affairs and Model United Nations Club, where she encouraged dialogue on global issues and international events.
As a member of the 43rd cohort of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals, Victoria is excited to deepen her German language skills while studying, learning, and interning in Germany. She looks forward to learning how Germany approaches civic engagement, historical memory, and democratic participation, while building lasting relationships across cultures.
Noa Winikoff
Professional Field: International Affairs & Diplomacy
Noa Winikoff graduated from Bowdoin College in 2025, where she majored in Government & Legal Studies and German. At Bowdoin, she worked as a research assistant, interned at the Consortium on Gender, Security & Human Rights, and served on the McKeen Center’s Common Good Grant Committee. Noa is pursuing a career in international affairs and diplomacy and is passionate about conflict prevention, migration, and human rights. As a CBYX fellow in Germany, she looks forward to exploring how the country approaches migration and security policy, engaging with the people and institutions shaping these approaches, strengthening her German skills, and building lasting relationships in her capacity as a citizen ambassador.
Davis Dear
Professional Field: Conservation Biology Davis Dear is from Madison, MS. She graduated from Furman University with a B.S. in Environmental and Conservation Biology with a minor in Ancient Greek and Roman Studies. She recently graduated from the University of West Alabama with an M.S. in Conservation Biology with a focus on botany and botanical illustration. Outside of academics, she enjoys long-distance running, drawing, and reading. She is excited for the opportunity to explore German flora, build meaningful connections, and embrace German culture.
Skyler Lee Serna
Professional Field: Electrician
Skyler Lee M. Serna recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from State Technical College of Missouri with an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology. During his time at State Tech, he completed an internship in Alaska with E&E Foods, building on his classroom learning and returned for a second season after graduation, improving his skills. When Skyler is not building circuits, he enjoys attending live music shows, hiking, sewing & upcycling old clothing.
While Skyler has visited Germany as a tourist, his goal in participating in the CBYX program is to experience the country as a professional and a resident. Having been around the culture since childhood, he is eager to finally immerse himself fully. As an Electrical Technology student, he has immense respect for German technical expertise, and looks forward to experiencing everything Germany has to offer.
Blaine Spulak
Professional Field: International Business
Blaine Spulak is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with majors in International Business and Management & Leadership, alongside minors in International Studies and Sustainability. Honored as the university’s Outstanding International Business Student, Blaine expanded his global academic perspective through a specialized “Business in Central Europe” study abroad program. Building on this international foundation, he served as a UNO International Student Ambassador, fostering cross-cultural diplomacy with prestigious U.S. Department of State exchange initiatives, including the Balkan Youth Leaders (BOLD) program and the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). This engagement led to his selection as a YSEALI Reciprocal Exchange Fellow, where he traveled to the Philippines to bring an international economic development perspective to educating Filipino graduates on their labor rights. Beyond his civic leadership, Blaine has built a professional foundation through his experience with the global businesses Bunge and Lexus.
Jacob Galdo
Professional Field: Social Media Management
Jacob Galdo is from Las Vegas, Nevada, and is currently pursuing his studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He works as a Digital Editor at Glossier, where he combines creativity with digital storytelling, community building, and content strategy. As a participant in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program, Jacob is eager to expand his global perspective, strengthen cross-cultural connections, build community, and deepen his understanding of German culture. He hopes to apply the knowledge and experiences gained through CBYX to his future career while fostering meaningful international relationships.
Rachel Riddell
Professional Field: Research and Biotechnology
Rachel is a student at the University of Southern Maine studying biology with a concentration in biotechnology. She worked as a laboratory assistant at the Quality Control Collaboratory in Portland, Maine. She is a part of USM’s Chemistry Club and enjoys staying active through field hockey, local hiking, and basketball.
Frances Trafton
Professional Field: Public Health
Frances Trafton is from Hopkinton, New Hampshire, and graduated from Bowdoin College in 2026, where she studied German and physics, and was pre-health. She is interested in expanding access to and improving healthcare options, with a focus on infant and maternal health. While in Germany, Frances hopes to pursue studies and an internship in public health, and apply that upon her return to a profession in healthcare. She would like learn more about the German healthcare system, and then use those perspectives to inform her future career. While at Bowdoin, Frances was a member of the Nordic ski team, a German learning assistant, and interned as a research assistant for a neonatologist. She looks forward to living with a host family, improving her German, and experiencing working and studying in Germany!
Evan Haidri
Professional Field: International Studies
Evan Haidri is a recent graduate of Boston College, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in International Studies, concentrated in Conflict and Cooperation, and double minor in German Studies and Studio Art. At 22 years old, he hails from Chatham, New Jersey and has lived in Boston, Massachusetts and Egham, Surrey, England over the past four years. He studied German in school for over a decade and looks forward to honing his language skills during his first extended time in Germany. In his career, Evan is passionate about building a better world through cultural exchange, climate protection, and humanitarian aid. Beyond his academic and professional interests, he enjoys analog photography, playing tennis, following the New York Jets and Knicks, listening to music, watching movies, and reading.
Meredith Grant
Professional Field: Baking and Pastry
Meredith Grant has recently graduated from the Culinary Institute with her degree in baking and pastry arts. She hails from Shokan, New York. Outside of her field, she loves art, tattoos, and spending time with friends.
Papa Ndiaye
Professional Field: Electrical Engineering
Papa Ndiaye is a recent Magna Cum Laude graduate of Union College in Schenectady, New York, where he earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a minor in German Studies. Alongside his studies, he gained professional experience as an electrical engineering intern at Grant & Vine Consulting Engineers while developing a passion for German language and culture through his love of soccer. Outside of engineering, Papa coaches youth soccer, enjoys cooking and trying new recipes, and values building meaningful connections with others. As a CBYX Young Professionals Fellow, he looks forward to improving his German language skills, gaining international engineering experience, and experiencing everyday life in Germany, while hopefully getting the chance to watch FC Bayern Munich play in person.
Joseph “Shep” Solimine
Professional Field: International Law
Shep recently graduated cum laude from Bowdoin College with a degree in German and a minor in Mathematics. He is originally from Pelham, New York. During his time at Bowdoin, Shep was deeply involved in music. He studied abroad in Freiburg in the fall of 2024, an experience that left him eager to return to Germany and immerse himself further in the culture. He also interned at the District Attorney’s Office in Westchester County last summer. Shep hopes to use his time in Germany to strengthen his German skills, meet new people, and gain experience working in law. After CBYX, Shep plans to attend law school.
Hannah Bernhardt
Professional Field: Psychology
Hannah recently graduated from Williams College with a degree in Psychology and German. Through classes and research, she studied clinical and developmental/educational psychological care at both the individual and community level. Hannah studied abroad in Freiburg and is looking forward to returning to Germany, experiencing a different academic and social support landscape, and being immersed in the German language.
Pierce Bruns
Professional Field: International and Public Policy
Pierce Bruns is a recent graduate of North Carolina State University with a passion for transatlantic relations, Middle Eastern policy studies, and technology policy. While studying at NC State, Pierce immersed himself in legislative policymaking through working in the North Carolina General Assembly, and studied Arabic language at the Qasid Institute in Amman, Jordan.
Through the CBYX program, Pierce hopes to translate and develop his policy experience into new and emerging issue areas, including international relations, data privacy and AI policy, and hopes to learn new and innovative ways to tackle policy challenges in a different cultural and political setting. After participating in the CBYX program, Pierce seeks to become either a Foreign Service Officer in the US Department of State, or a staffer for the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Gala Cooper
Professional Field: Structural Engineering
Gala Cooper is a structural engineer, with a passion for preservation and rehabilitation of existing structures. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, she graduated from Columbia University this past May with a degree in civil engineering and a concentration in structural and geotechnical engineering. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Tullio J. Borri ’51 Award in Civil Engineering, which is presented to a senior for outstanding promise of scholarly and professional achievement in civil engineering. Since graduating, Gala has interned at Old Structures Engineering, working on a number of historic buildings across New York City. Following her time in Germany, she will pursue a joint master’s degree in structural analysis of historic constructions and monuments at the University of Minho in Portugal and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Spain. While in Germany, Gala looks forward to visiting museums, traveling to new cities, and working on buildings that predate the United States.
Molly Jones
Professional Field: Political Science & Sociology
Molly Jones graduated summa cum laude in 2025 from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and sociology. During her time at university, she was a member of the Alpha Kappa Delta and Pi Sigma Alpha honor societies and had the honor of serving as a democracy fellow for her peers, encouraging civic engagement through democratic participation.
Additionally, Molly is an alumna of The Washington Center, where she interned for Generations For Peace USA. In her role, she supported peacebuilding academies based in Chicago that taught and empowered youth to advocate for their communities.
During her time in Germany, Molly is excited to strengthen her German language skills and looks forward to facing the challenges and struggles of learning a new culture.
Yasmari Rodriguez-Cuevas
Professional Field: Aviation
Yasmari Vianney Rodriguez-Cuevas is an Aviation Science major specializing in Professional Aeronautics at Elizabeth City State University. As the founder of MAIJ Inc., she leads a gaming studio focused on integrating AI into gameplay to maximize education, connectivity, and sustainability. Yasmari’s long-term professional vision combines a forward-thinking airline—designed to enable sustainable, eVTOL-driven in-state tourism across North Carolina—with a focus on shaping future AI aviation manufacturing policies. She balances these ventures with her role at Apex Costco Wholesale, which has served as a key environment for her professional growth and leadership development. Additionally, Yasmari is committed to community service, volunteering as a local STEAM tutor to bring foundational aviation education to K-5th grade students.
Zoe Schruckmayr
Professional Field: International Relations
Originally from the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, Zoe Schruckmayr recently graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Peace, War, and Defense & Global Studies. Academically, she focuses primarily on transatlantic cooperation and security. This interest brought her to The University of Bergen in Norway to complete a six-month fellowship focused on “The Politics of Contestation in Europe and the U.S.” Zoe has spent time working for UNC Global Affairs and the Krasno Global Affairs and Business Council where she plans events that host high-level foreign affairs practitioners. When she is not nose-deep in all things international relations related you can find her learning new instruments, hiking, or drinking coffee. In Germany, Zoe looks forward to improving her German language skills, fostering new relationships, and diving into the German music scene.
Edward Driscoll
Professional Field: Political Organizing and Community Development
Edward Driscoll is a recent graduate of the Boston University Kilachand Honors College (’26). He was granted a full-ride Questbridge Scholarship in 2022 to study Sociology. Edward earned additional awards and honors along the way, including Tri-Alpha First Generation Student Honors, The Gilman Scholarship, and consistent Dean’s List Nominations. He was also a co-captain of his intramural basketball team. Driscoll has been granted the CBYX-YP Fellowship for German language learning and cultural immersion.
Lonnie Tran
Professional Field: Film / Video Production
Lonnie is a recent graduate from the Ohio State University, where she majored in Moving Image Production with minors in Film Studies and Theater. Growing up as a first-generation Vietnamese immigrant, she found herself learning and assimilating to American culture through the consumption of media (particularly through reading and YouTube skits).
Her personal and professional goals involve transcribing complex concepts, emotions, themes, and messages through the medium of video, audio, and imagery. In Germany, she hopes to sharpen her skills with audio/video equipment, skills in video editing, and script writing in order to become a film/video director that specializes in documentaries. She is also the mother of two cats named Miss Meep and Beezus.
Saatvika Vyakaranam
Professional Field: Biomedical Engineering/German
Saatvika Vyakaranam has just completed her junior year at The Ohio State University. She studies both Biomedical Engineering and German and is really looking forward to bringing the two together through the CBYX program this next year.
Claire Mengel
Professional Field: Politics and Social Justice Advocacy
Claire Mengel graduated summa cum laude in 2026 from Boston College with a bachelor’s degree with majors in International Studies, with a concentration in Ethics and Social Justice, and in German. A National Merit Scholar, Claire is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Their passion for social justice has led Claire to serve in leadership positions in various advocacy organizations, such as Assistant Director for the Boston College Queer Leadership Council and as co-founder of the Boston College Trans* Collective. Previously, Claire served on the Hamilton County Commission on Women and Girls, testified before the Congressional Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and was awarded a 2022 YWCA Greater Cincinnati Racial Justice Award. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Claire is now based in Portland, Oregon, where they have worked for two summers as an instructor for Girls Build. Claire enjoys singing and fiber arts such as crochet, knitting, and embroidery. Claire studied abroad for a semester in Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, and is excited to return to Germany. In Germany, Claire hopes to work in refugee aid and advocacy and to further engage questions explored in their thesis, “Schaffen Wir Das? Exploring the Effects of German Refugee Dispersal Policy on Social Integration,” which received the Boston College International Studies Matteo Ricci, S.J. Thesis Prize.
Saroj Bhandari
Professional Field: Finance
Saroj Bhandari graduated from Penn State University in December 2025 with a degree in Finance and a minor in International Business. He was originally born in a refugee camp in Nepal and moved to the United States at the age of four. With a background in corporate finance and venture capital in Central and Eastern Europe, he hopes to integrate his multinational experiences to generate meaningful insights in finance. When in Germany, he looks forward to meeting peers from different walks of life, traveling to places off the beaten path, and eating Döner Kebab.
Emmanuel Colón Déniz
Professional Field: Sports Technology
Emmanuel Colon is from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, and recently graduated from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus, with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Technology and a minor in Sports Management. Emmanuel looks forward to learning from Germany’s approaches to sports, community wellness, and international relations. His goal is to become fluent in a third language, and he hopes to bring the knowledge and experiences he gains back to Puerto Rico.
Emmanuel Colon es de Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico y recientemente se graduó de la Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto Metropolitano, con un bachillerato en Tecnologóa Deportiva y un minor en Gerencia Deportiva. Emmanuel espera aprender de los enfoques de Alemania en el deporte, el bienestar comunitario y la relaciones internacionales. Su objetivo es dominar un tercer un idioma y espera traer de regreso a Puerto Rico los conocimientos y las experiencias que adquiera durante esta oportunidad.
Julia (Lia) Douglas
Professional Field: Public Policy and Law
Lia is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, with a degree in Sociology and minors in Political Science, Legal Studies, and Environmental Policy & Culture. She is interested in pursuing a career in public interest law and policy, aiming to help implement systemic change through both a top-down and bottom-up approach. While in Germany, Lia hopes to strengthen her language skills, learn about different approaches to sustainable policy, and contribute to local refugee aid organizations.
McKenna Otey
Professional Field: International Affairs, Public & Environmental Policy
McKenna Otey is a recent graduate of Skidmore College, where she earned a B.A. in German and International Affairs, graduating summa cum laude. At Skidmore, she served as a German peer tutor, worked as a research assistant to Prof. Juliane Wuensch in the German Department, founded and led the German Club, and captained the women’s varsity rowing team. She also studied abroad in Freiburg, Germany, where she deepened her understanding of German language, history, and culture. Her academic work explored German history, politics, and media, with a particular focus on the legacy of reunification and its influence on national identity and public discourse. McKenna’s interests include public and environmental policy, cross-cultural exchange, and international cooperation, and she hopes to pursue a career in law focused on public service.
Kaden Schmidt
Professional Field: Aerospace Engineering
Kaden is originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and has just finished his junior year in aerospace engineering at Iowa State University. At school, Kaden is an active member of the chess club and holds a position on the Iowa State Club Basketball team. During his summers, he has completed internships with Senate Majority Leader John Thune in Washington, D.C., and with AeroFly LLC in Brookings, South Dakota.
Outside the classroom, Kaden is a competitive chess player with a peak rating above 2100, and he hopes to earn a master title in chess in the coming years. He is a lifelong pianist and a self-taught guitarist, though his favorite activities are athletics, including basketball, weightlifting, and pickleball. Kaden looks forward to building fluency in the language and getting a firsthand feel for German life. He is also excited to get involved in local clubs and organizations, hoping to meet new friends and better understand German culture along the way.
Kendall Robertson
Professional Field: Public Policy
Kendall Robertson, a Nashville native and recent graduate of East Tennessee State University, studied international affairs and focuses on community service through leadership. She has been actively involved in government-focused student organizations such as the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, and has hands on experience in offices dedicated to serving her community, including the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Office of Mobility and Accessible Transportation and ETSU’s Office of Prestigious Awards. Kendall hopes to bring a spirit of service, compassion, and civic engagement to her CBYX year, and return home with a new perspective on public policy and community.
Stephen Whittenberger
Professional Field: Cybersecurity Stephen Whittenberger grew up in Crossville and later Knoxville, TN, and is a recent graduate of Western Governors University, where he recently completed a degree in Cybersecurity. His university years renewed his passion for the humanities and revealed passions for international relations, national security, policy, law, and emerging technologies. As a first-generation college student of German descent originally from a rural Tennessee town of roughly 11,000 people, living and working in Germany has been one of Stephen’s long-held ambitions. Given Germany’s prominence in Europe and the complexity of the current geopolitical situation, he aims to exchange perspectives with the people of Germany and return with insights to promote mutual understanding of the necessity of transatlantic cooperation. Through the CBYX fellowship, Stephen looks forward to strengthening his German language skills, connecting with his German heritage, and gaining greater clarity and confidence in his life and career goals.
Bradyn Potter
Professional Field: Comparative Politics
Bradyn Potter is a recent college grad who earned his Bachelors of Arts in Comparative Politics and German at Clark University. His studies focused on the function of advocacy organizations and nonprofits in German and American politics, and looks forward learn more through the CBYX program.
Alix Radke
Professional Field: Clinical psychology and psychology research
Alix Radke is a recent graduate of Northwestern University who majored in psychology. She has worked as a research assistant at Northwestern University’s Family Institute and worked for the pediatrics and genetic counseling departments at the Evanston Hospital, and plans to become a Marriage and Family Therapist in the future. Alix has been taking German classes since high school and has been involved in German department classes, events, and clubs since her freshman year of college. She is excited to become enveloped in German culture and further improve her language skills!
Griffin Cook
Professional Field: International Studies and Political Science
Griffin Cook graduated cum laude from American University (AU) in May 2026 with a B.A. in International Studies focused on Europe and Eurasia, as well as a B.A. in Political Science focused on American Government. While a student at AU, Griffin served as an intern at the Office of Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, the Office of Loudoun County Supervisor Sylvia Glass, and Taxpayers for Common Sense. In addition, Griffin served as an intern at Promote Ukraine in Brussels, Belgium and traveled to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia through AU’s European Union in Action study abroad program, which sparked his interest in transatlantic relations and democratization.
As a member of the 43rd Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals cohort, Griffin intends to achieve fluency in the German language, gain insights into German political culture and governance, and exhibit the shared values of democracy and freedom that form the foundation of the relationship between the U.S. and Germany. Upon his return to the U.S., Griffin plans to pursue a career in the foreign service or the intelligence community.
Nathalie Schelin
Professional Field: Mechanical Engineering
Nathalie Schelin graduated in May 2026 with a B.S. in Engineering Science with minors in math and archaeology. Her alma mater is Sweet Briar College, a women’s college and a rare liberal arts school with its own ABET-accredited engineering program. She lives in Virginia, along with a pet rabbit and tarantula. Her previous adventures have included interning with a structural analysis team designing advanced nuclear reactors, forging a Damascus-style dagger, and excavating a hill fortress site in Albania. She’s looking forward to the next adventure in Germany!
Bridget Sheridan
Professional Field: International Trade
Bridget Sheridan is a 2026 graduate of the University of Georgia, where she earned degrees in International Affairs and German and minored in Music and History, graduating summa cum laude. Bridget, a native of Fairfax, Virginia, has interned in the US House of Representatives and at Fairfax County Public Schools, and was a Security Leadership Fellow at the Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security, where she completed independent research on democratic backsliding and international trade. At UGA, Bridget was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, was the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding German Student award, and played saxophone in the Redcoat Marching Band and UGA Wind Ensemble. After her year in Germany as a CBYX Fellow, Bridget intends to pursue graduate studies and a career in international trade.
Ethan Tusic
Professional Field: German, Linguistics
Ethan is a 22-year-old from Menomonee Falls, WI. He completed his Bachelor’s of Arts in German and Linguistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned an Undergraduate Achievement Award for outstanding work in German studies at the advanced level and was inducted into Delta Alpha Phi, the National German Honor Society. Ethan is pursuing a teaching career, drawing off his experience working to support high school students and an internship working at a Grundschule in Berlin. After CBYX, Ethan will return to UW-Madison to complete a Master’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction.