What is the Career Bridge?
Our program offers students the opportunity to expand their existing German language skills, learn German in a professional context, and at the same time gain their first practical insights into the dual apprenticeship system in Germany. A central component of Career Bridge is a 12-day practice-oriented trip to Germany in the summer. Innovative learning content and work-related language training support the participants in successfully learning German and getting to know everyday working life in Germany.
Berufsbrücke accompanies the participants from the preparation in the USA to the trip to Germany, with professional and personal support from our partners Handwerk stiftet Zukunft and the Goethe-Institut USA.
Who can apply?
- Students in their penultimate or final year of an American high school
- or in the first year of a community college or vocational training program
- Interest in the German education system and in gaining insights into the German apprenticeship system, especially in technical professions, engineering or skilled trades
- German language skills at at least very good A1 level (or higher) with the aim of improving them for the professional context
- Willingness to invest time in language and intercultural preparation until the summer - with comprehensive professional support from the Goethe-Institut
- Availability in July 2025 for the 12-day trip to Germany (Berlin)
- Age: minimum 16 years and maximum 19 years at the start of the trip in July 2025
Program & Application
The Career Bridge program conveys the differences and parallels between the educational career systems in Germany and the USA and prepares the participants for their stay in Germany in terms of language and culture. The program begins at the end of April/beginning of May with comprehensive language and intercultural preparation, during which participants have the opportunity to get to know each other, prepare together for their time in Germany and make initial contacts with local partners.
Timetable
- Application deadline: 18.03.2025. After submitting the application, the invitation to the language assessment will be sent via an individual link.
- Selection interviews: 08.–16.04.2025
- Linguistic and intercultural preparation: end of April to end of June
- 12-day trip to Germany: July 2025, together with a group of students from the USA who are also interested in the German education system and professional life in Germany.
- Company visits and work shadowing days in German companies, depending on the level of interest
- Visits to vocational schools and introduction to the dual apprenticeship system
- Meetings with German students and young trainees or skilled workers with opportunities for exchange and joint activities
- Comprehensive leisure and cultural program in Berlin, as well as round-the-clock support from the Goethe-Institut and Handwerk stiftet Zukunft
- Accommodation in shared apartments with supervision
Language requirements
- At least a very good A1 level is required at the start of the program.
- Participants with an advanced knowledge of German (A2/B1) are also expressly invited to apply.
During the 12-day trip to Germany, participants gain practical experience in companies and receive an introduction to the dual apprenticeship system. A preparatory intercultural course provides the necessary language and cultural skills for everyday working life.
Costs
Participation is supported by a scholarship from the Goethe-Institut. The scholarship covers the following:
- Travel costs to Germany
- Accommodation in Berlin during the program
- Meals
- Transportation costs in Berlin
- Costs for the majority of the cultural program
- Health insurance during the program
- Comprehensive language and intercultural preparation by the Goethe-Institut
Not included are:
- Travel to the nearest airport in the USA
- Personal expenses during the trip
- Additional costs such as phone costs or the issuing of a passport or visa (if required)
Application
The application for participation in the Career Bridge includes a short video and an application form. The purpose of the video is to get to know the participants better and to understand their motivation for taking part.
Application process:
A short video (max. 1 minute) in German is part of the application. It should answer the following questions:
- Who are you?
- Why do you want to take part in the program?
- Which professions do you find interesting?
- What would you like to learn in Germany?
Important:
The video will only be used to select participants and will not be published or passed on.
The application video (MOV, MPEG, WMV) and the completed application form must be submitted via Email by 18.03.2024 to: us-careerbridge@goethe.de
Feedback on the invitation to a selection interview via Zoom (max. 30 minutes) between 08-16.04.2024 will be sent by the beginning of April.
Note: The program is subject to funding approval.
Career Bridge Program
Contact person: Franziska Trepke
Goethe-Institut Chicago
us-careerbridge@goethe.de
