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Student Spotlight

Carlos Valenzuela, Communications

Carlos Valenzuela, a junior majoring in Communications, has been awarded a full-year scholarship to live and work in Germany through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange For Young Professionals program.

More than 550 students applied for the year-long program, funded by the Bundestag, Germany’s national parliament, and the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Department of State. It annually provides “75 young professionals with a strong interest in cultural exchange with the opportunity to study, work, and live with a host in Germany,” according to the program’s website.

Carlos has taken German language classes in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. His appreciation and admiration for the German culture and language, as well as his interest in the history and political developments of Europe led him to apply for this program.

During his time aboard, Carlos will spend two months improving his German in language training courses, four months studying at a German university and five-months working as an intern in a German-speaking work environment.

He says his post-graduation goals are to pursue a career as a television journalist or U.S. diplomat. He anticipates his year in Germany will be important and useful in his professional and personal development.