Most high school seniors spend their final year balancing homework with Friday night football games and college applications. For Seraphina Ho (’26), senior year has meant navigating a new school, new language and a new life in Germany through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program.
CBYX is a program funded jointly by the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag, Germany’s congress. The program offers American students the chance to spend a year in Germany. Participants live with host families, attend German schools and fully immerse themselves in German culture. The goal of the program is full immersion, not as a tourist, but as a member of the community. For Ho, this was the perfect opportunity.
“I found out about the program through an event at Patrick Henry Library,” Ho said. “There were a lot of people there talking about exchange programs, including CBYX.”
Although deciding to spend her final year of high school overseas wasn’t easy, she knew this was the right thing to do, and her experiences so far have made it worthwhile.
“Of course it’s hard seeing everyone at things like homecoming and senior sunrise,” Ho said. “But I’ve been having a good time so far making new experiences and friends.”
When she first arrived in Germany, Ho participated in a language camp with other American students. The camp helped strengthen her German and also connect with fellow participants in the program.
From there, she moved in with her host family, who, she said, have quickly made Germany feel like a second home. Together, they share dinner each night and include her in family outings, giving her a sense of belonging in an unfamiliar environment.
School life has been one of the biggest adjustments. Ho quickly realized how different her German education experience is compared to back home in Vienna.
“In Germany, after 4th grade you can go to different types of secondary school in which you can graduate at different times,” Ho said. “I attend a gymnasium which is more academically focused and prepares its students to go to university.”
Ho’s school, a gymnasium, is the highest type of secondary school in Germany. Gymnasiums tend to have demanding academics, which she has had to balance while also adapting to learning in German.
Her school days are shorter, running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., but the classes rely heavily on class participation. At first, this was a big challenge for Ho, not only because of the language barrier, but also because of this new way of learning. Over time, she has quickly become more confident in her German.
Outside of academics, Ho has also found new ways to get involved in her community. She has joined both the environmental club and pottery studio at her gymnasium. These activities have both helped Ho to connect with other students with similar interests and has helped her with her adjustment to this new culture.
Back in Vienna, her friends are keeping up with senior traditions and preparing for graduation. They’ve missed her, but are excited for Ho and the unique year she has ahead. While she does admit it is bittersweet missing out, especially when scrolling social media seeing her friends at events without her, she believes that her year abroad will give her memories that will last a lifetime.
