The DAAD Young Ambassadors Program is a unique and exciting two-semester volunteer opportunity for undergraduate students to promote study and research abroad in Germany at their home universities and colleges.

The program starts with a mandatory, three-day training session in New York City from August 17-20, 2016. DAAD covers the costs of round trip transportation for Young Ambassadors from their home universities to New York and provides accommodation and meals for the duration of the workshop. The objective of the workshop is for participants to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to effectively promote study and research in Germany on their campuses. Students learn about the German higher education and research system as well as the wide range of DAAD funding opportunities. In addition, the training focuses on refining public speaking and presentation skills and meeting new people.

During the academic year, DAAD Young Ambassadors promote study and research in Germany by working with their universities' study abroad offices, volunteering at study abroad fairs, organizing classroom visits, info sessions, fun events, and answering their fellow students’ questions. DAAD provides Young Ambassadors with brochures, giveaways, and funding for events. Along with this, a profile including contact information for each Young Ambassador is featured on the DAAD New York Website. DAAD Young Ambassadors are required to submit at least two event reports during the academic year. While the DAAD Young Ambassadors Program is a volunteer opportunity, all event reports are included in a raffle drawing at the end of the academic year; prizes ranging from $20 to $200 awarded in recognition of the volunteer’s time and commitment.

Young Ambassadors do not necessarily have to be alumni of DAAD grant programs. We will give special attention to nominations from study abroad offices, but will also accept applications directly from students who wish to apply on their own and provide contact information for a reference.

You are eligible for the program if you…

• are an undergraduate student at a college or university in the US or Canada
• have recently studied or done research at a German university or interned in Germany for a minimum of 2 months
• are available to promote study and research in Germany on your campus during the entire academic year
• can speak intelligently and enthusiastically about your experiences in Germany in front of groups
• are willing to represent DAAD at a study abroad fair and to organize at least one event per semester
• are available for the training session in New York City from August 17-20, 2016

For the 2016-17 academic year, DAAD has space for about 30 Young Ambassadors.
In order to apply, please fill out the application form and send it to DAAD New York (see below).
If you are nominated by your study abroad office, please submit application and nomination materials together.
All parts of the application must be typed and submitted in duplicate: one original hard copy and one electronic (PDF/Word) document.

Please email the PDF/Word document to YA[at]daad.org and send original to

DAAD New York
Young Ambassadors Program
871 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017

The submission deadline for all materials is May 18th.