Government-backed patronage programs from Osterath to Wisconsin
In the small town of Meerbusch, Germany, 16-year-old Antonia Dobrindt is preparing for an exciting adventure. She has been selected as a youth ambassador for the Parliamentary Partnership Program (PPP) and will spend her exchange year in the USA, representing Germany.
Antonia's host mother in Richland Center, Wisconsin, is a local pastor, providing a warm and welcoming environment for the young ambassador. The mayor of Meerbusch, Christian Bommers, is proud of Antonia and the consistent success of students from the town in the PPP program in recent years.
Antonia has big plans for her exchange, including singing in the choir, joining a band, trying cheerleading in the winter, and attending ballet schools. She draws inspiration from Louisa Schiffer, a previous youth ambassador from Meerbusch.
Unfortunately, the joint seminar in Washington for PPP participants, including sightseeing, has been canceled due to the current political situation in the USA. However, Antonia remains undeterred and approaches the situation with an open mind.
The strained transatlantic relations are affecting the PPP program, according to Ansgar Heveling, Bundestag member who oversees the PPP for the constituency. He reports that all processes have become more complicated, responsibilities have changed, and visa issuance has not been straightforward.
Antonia will be living in Richland Center during her exchange, a town that prides itself on its warm community and friendly residents. Before her departure, Mayor Bommers presented Antonia with a small gift as a farewell, expressing his pride and support.
Antonia went through several application stages to be selected for the PPP program, including individual interviews, group discussions, a presentation, and an English test. The application deadline for the Bundestag program is July 31, 2025, with the program running from March 1 to July 31, 2026.
The PPP aims to promote relations between Germany and other countries through an opportunity for youth ambassadors to work or engage with the German Parliament. Similar youth engagement platforms, such as the Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) initiative and the European Youth Parliament (EYP) projects, are supported by the EU and related institutions, focusing on volunteering, civic activism, policy dialogue, and leadership development.
For more detailed information about the application process and eligibility criteria for youth ambassadors specifically from Meerbusch for this Parliamentary Partnership Program, it is advisable to consult the official German Bundestag website or local governmental youth offices.
As Antonia embarks on her journey, she becomes the fourth consecutive student from Meerbusch to participate in the PPP, underscoring the increased interest in the program in the town. Antonia has already communicated with her host mother via FaceTime and will go on vacation with her at the beginning of her stay in the USA. Interestingly, only girls typically apply for the PPP scholarship, according to Ansgar Heveling. Antonia and Louisa Schiffer, whom she looks up to, attend the same Gymnasium in Meerbusch.
Antonia's exchange year promises to be an enriching experience, filled with new opportunities and friendships. As she sets off on her adventure, the people of Meerbusch wish her the best of luck and look forward to hearing about her experiences upon her return.
Antonia is excited to utilize her exchange year in the USA for personal growth and learning, as she plans to join a band, try cheerleading, attend ballet schools, and engage in other education-and-self-development activities. Moreover, Antonia will continue to learn and gain inspiration from other youth ambassadors, such as Louisa Schiffer, in the Parliamentary Partnership Program, which aims to promote relationships between Germany and other countries through leadership development and educational opportunities.
