By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor
CRANBURY — Alyssa Torske has been selected to participate in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX), a year-long, federallyfunded fellowship for study and work in Germany.
Ms. Torske, of Cranbury, recently graduated from New York University (NYU) and was selected as one of 75 participants from more than 700 applicants for this fellowship program.
“This fellowship opportunity was introduced to me by one of my German literature professors at New York University, Alys George,” Ms. Torske said. “Although my interests are heavily focused in the sciences, she thought it would be a great idea for me to combine my interests in German language and culture with my interests in the sciences, specifically healthcare and medicine”
Since 1984, approximately 2,000 Americans have been awarded this opportunity to gain cultural, academic, and practical work experience in Germany, and Ms. Torske will be participating in the 32nd year of the CBYX program.
“When I found out that I was accepted into the CBYX fellowship program, I was sitting at my desk at work, which fittingly is at the German Cultural ‘Haus’ at NYU. I was in utter shock and awe to have been selected to be a part of this program. I’m truly delighted to have received the opportunity to observe the diagnosing and treatment processes of a German hospital under the German healthcare system.”
While in Germany, Ms. Torske will attend a two-month intensive German language course, study German medicine for four months, and complete a five-month internship in a hospital research laboratory.
“I’m interested particularly in the pediatric oncology field, which ultimately stemmed from an amazing internship position I had at the St. Peter’s University Hospital in the Pediatric Oncology/Hematology Unit in New Brunswick,” Ms. Torske said.
She said Germany is known for its renowned cancer research techniques, which allows it to be on the forefront in generating innovative technological advancements in cancer treatments.
“Through my studies and practical experiences in Germany, I hope to be inspired by German physicians and scientists in hopes of bringing such innovative thinking back to America,” she said. “I ultimately plan to then integrate these techniques of research and patient care into my future practices.”
CBYX participants also have the opportunity to learn about everyday German life from a variety of perspectives. To prepare for the trip, Ms. Torske said she is keeping up to date on current events in Germany.
Ms. Torske graduated Cranbury School in 2007 and subsequently attended Princeton High School where she was captain of the field hockey team. She then attended New York University in Manhattan (Class of 2015) where she majored in psychology and double minored in German studies and child and adolescent mental health studies while on the pre-health track.
Conceived by members of the United States Congress and the German Parliament (Bundestag), the CBYX program is financially supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State under the authority of the Fulbright-Hays Act, and by the Bundestag.
Participants come from a wide variety of career fields, and from all over the United States.
Participants must be United States citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 18-24, and have clear career goals and experience in their professional fields.
Young professionals in STEM, business, agricultural, and vocational fields are especially encouraged to apply, though candidates in all career fields are eligible.
German language ability is not required, but is strongly recommended.
Interested applicants should visit www.CBYX.info for more information.
CBYX is a reciprocal scholarship program. While American participants like Ms. Torske and her fellow participants spend the year living in Germany, 75 young German professionals will also be spending the year experiencing life in the United States.
German participants study at US colleges in the fall and work at local businesses in the spring, all while living with an American host throughout the year.
CBYX for Young Professionals is currently looking for interested host families, host companies, and host colleges who would like to take part in this exciting cultural exchange.
Anyone interested in becoming involved in the program or hosting a German participant should visit https://cbyx.info/host.
