From Exchange to Experience: My First Legal Steps
In the 2024–2025 school year, I went abroad to Germany through CBYX, the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange. This program is a fully funded exchange year sponsored by the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag.
After spending 11 months away from home, I came back fluent in a new language and deeply immersed in a different culture. Now, I’m working at BridgehouseLaw for the summer as a high school intern.
People often ask me, “Why go on exchange?” I first traveled alone to Argentina for a two-week State Department program called Youth Ambassadors. Even though it was short, it felt like my life changed after seeing another part of the world. It was also my first time speaking Spanish outside of school. I had studied Spanish for three years, but never spoke with native speakers. When I arrived at my host family’s San Juan, Argentina home, no one spoke English. I had no choice but to speak Spanish to communicate and get through everyday life.
Those two weeks taught me that there are many more complicated things than getting a bad grade or studying for a test. Being dropped into a new culture and language and told to “survive” is one of my most challenging and eye-opening experiences. It gave me a new appreciation for what my dad went through when he immigrated to the U.S. But even through the challenges, it was thrilling. For the first time, I felt free. No one was there to make choices for me or influence my thoughts. After that trip, I knew I wanted to go abroad again.
So that summer, when I heard about CBYX from a friend already doing the program, I applied. I didn’t think I’d get in. My friend already spoke German and knew so much about the culture, and I didn’t. But by January 23rd, I found myself sitting in the semifinalist interview.
I’m really glad I applied, and even more pleased I went. At the time, I didn’t know who I was or what I wanted to be. I didn’t have a dream or a direction. Sophomore year had left me feeling burned out, and I didn’t know what I was working toward. But when I moved to Unkel, a small town near Bonn, I slowly started discovering myself again. I found joy in baking, learning about a new culture, and learning the language. By December, I spoke German with my host family, especially my two-year-old host sister. By fall break, I had made friends and hosted my Thanksgiving dinner with them and my host family.
But not every part was easy. Christmas was the hardest. It wasn’t the traditions or decorations I missed, since my Korean-American family doesn’t celebrate Christmas in the traditional American way—and German Christmas is fantastic. What I missed was simply being with my family. Seeing all the photos online of friends with their families and ice skating together really hit me. Until then, I hadn’t felt homesick. But on Heiligabend (Christmas Eve), it finally hit. In Germany, Christmas is a three-day celebration—Heiligabend, Erster Weihnachtsfeiertag (first day), and Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag (second day). There’s a lot of eating, card games, and walking. It all sounds cozy, and it is, but when you’re doing it with strangers in a different language, it can feel isolating. That was probably one of my lowest points during the year.
When the end of the year came, leaving felt incredibly difficult. I had worked so hard to make Germany feel like home; suddenly, it was time to pack up and go. Saying goodbye was harder than I expected. I realized that even if I return to Germany, it may never feel the same as during my exchange year. But I know I want to study abroad again—maybe back in Germany, maybe somewhere new. I want to keep learning and growing.
Now, back in the U.S., I am interning at BridgehouseLaw, where I can use the German I learned and work with German-American clients. I’m learning so much about international law and the connection between our two countries. Even though my exchange year is over, my journey isn’t. It feels like it’s just getting started.