COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

PRINS. MEMO NO. 78

December 17, 2002

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

TO:

Principals

 

FROM:

Patricia I. Wright

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction

 

SUBJECT:

Congress-Bundestag Program

 

The Congress-Bundestag Vocational Youth Exchange Program is a full scholarship program conceived by members of the United States Congress and the German Bundestag to strengthen ties between the successor generations of each country. The program provides an opportunity for United States high school graduates who have undertaken career and technical training to spend their 13th year abroad pursuing their career and technical interests.

 

This full scholarship program, which runs from July to June, includes: pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C.; two months of intensive German language training; training/school attendance and an internship while living with a German host family; both a mid-term and re-entry seminar in Berlin; room and board for the duration of the program; health, liability, and accident insurance; and international travel to and from Germany.

 

High school students must meet the following requirements: be at least 18 and no more than 19 years of age by July 1 of the departure year; graduating seniors who will complete United States school studies in January or June prior to departure; have a minimum of a B average (3.0 GPA); U.S. citizenship; and the ability to serve as an ambassador for the United States.

 

Interested students must be nominated by their high schools to apply for this program. Each participating school may nominate up to three students, who then complete the application materials. The application may be obtained online at www.nacelopendoor.org.

 

Completed applications must be postmarked by January 31, 2003, and returned to James. A. Gray, Jr., associate director, office of career and technical education services, Virginia Department of Education, P. O. Box 2120, Richmond, Virginia, 23218-2120. Please contact Mr. Gray at (804) 225-2833, or e-mail jimgray@pen.k12.va.us, if you have questions or to request a registration package.

 

PIW/JAG/jts