The Award of Excellence is an annual contest dating back all the way to 1991. Once a year, we create a contest during which we look at an interesting aspect of German life or at the life in one of our partner countries — the US, Canada, Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean. Take part in the quiz, and you might win the prize. 

The three participants with the best results each win a course for teens in Germany for one person. The courses for teens take place in summer 2024. The scholarship encompasses the language course, accommodations, meals, full-time supervision, day trips, recreation program, medical and accident insurance, and the travel expenses. The Award of Excellence will be granted to the schools of these students.

This year’s Award of Excellence takes place from December 11, 2023 to March 15, 2024.

The Award of Excellence is back! This year in a new format. You might wonder, why? You probably have aleady noticed that podcasts have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly among young people. A podcast allows you to concentrate more on the content, because there is no visual commitment, unlike videos, which can cause you to become sidetracked by on-screen action. They provide you the option to multitask while you listen without having to focus on a video. Furthermore, podcasts are highly accessible and portable across a wide range of devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. This makes the format adaptable and easy for young people to absorb content on the go. 

The theme for the first podcast is social media, how young people use and perceive it. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 90% of teenagers (ages 13 to 17) use social media, with 51% checking their profiles on a regular basis, at least once a day.   People's lives all around the globe are significantly impacted by social media, particularly those of teenagers and young adults. It gives them a platform to develop their connections by allowing them to express themselves, define their identities, and engage in social participation.

But, what are the possible dangers associated with young people using social media? What do German teenagers think about social media and how do they use it? Listen to our podcast and find out answers to these questions and more.  Take the quiz!