Anna Lieggi (’26, Political Science/Global Studies) has been named one of 65 Americans selected to study and work in Germany as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program. Now in its 43rd year, CBYX is a bilateral exchange program of the U.S. Congress and German Bundestag (Parliament). The program is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs through non-profit partners.
While in Germany, Anna will attend a two-month intensive language course, study at a German university, and complete an internship. Participants are usually placed with host families throughout Germany, where they act as citizen ambassadors of the United States, promoting a positive image of the U.S. abroad, creating lifelong friendships, and professional connections to enhance German-American relations.
At UC Berkeley, Anna worked as a research assistant through URAP under Professor Brookman and through SSRP under PhD candidate Nadia Almasalkhi, focusing on welfare policy trends and diaspora political participation. Beyond campus, Anna has spent 300+ hours at the San Francisco Superior Court, where she provided free legal assistance to low-income, self-represented litigants. These experiences have motivated her to attend law school following her year in Germany and pursue a career in public service focused on democracy promotion and access to justice.
Prospective undergraduate applicants, including recent alums, are encouraged to make an advising appointment with Keila Diehl, the campus representative for CBYX. Applications for the 2027-2028 cohort will open in September 2026. German language skills are not required to apply for the fellowship. More information about the program, including eligibility requirements, can be found here (opens web page).