Alumni University News

June 3, 2025 | Mike Enright '88 (CLAS), University Communications

Recent Graduate Named to Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange

The fellowship provides American and German young professionals the opportunity to spend one year in each other’s countries

A boy standing next to a U.S. and Germany flag

For Americans, the CBYX program consists of three phases: two months of intensive German language training, one semester of classes, and a three-to-five-month-long internship. (Contributed photo)

Julian Cote-Dorado ’24 (CLAS) has been accepted into the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals for the 2025-26 academic year. The fellowship annually provides 65 American and 65 German young professionals the opportunity to spend one year in each other’s countries, studying, interning, and living with hosts as part of a cultural immersion program.

Cote-Dorado graduated from UConn with a degree in political science and minors in economics and German. The Mansfield native grew up in the UConn community and graduated from E.O. Smith High School.

He is interested in pursuing a career in international relations and diplomacy.

“I love to travel meeting people, and I am very interested in different languages,” says Cote-Dorado. “My dream is to work in foreign affairs or diplomacy.”

For Americans, the CBYX program consists of three phases: two months of intensive German language training, one semester of classes, and a three-to-five-month-long internship. CBYX is sponsored in the United States by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

“I met Julian last fall at a German language club coffee hour,” says Tim Beaucage, an Honors Program advisor and STEM Scholar coordinator, who advised Cote-Dorado on his application for the CBYX program. “It is a great opportunity for the UConn community to gather and have the opportunity to practice their German language skills. Julian really impressed me with his German speaking and understanding ability. For someone who has only been learning the language in college, his level is outstanding. I could tell he was really passionate about languages, and he speaks several very well himself.

“I am so excited and happy for Julian to participate in the CBYX program,” Beaucage continues. “I am sure that he will walk away with not only superior German language skills, but many life-changing experiences and future opportunities as well.”

Cote-Dorado studied at Heidelberg University in Germany during his junior year as part of UConn’s bilateral exchange program. During his time there, he spent six weeks teaching English to Chinese high school graduates.

“That was my first foray into Germany, and I ended up really liking it,” says Cote-Dorado. “I am really looking forward to improving my German when I go back there and would like to get as close to fluent as possible.”

He adds, “The fellowship will give me a foothold in Europe for a possible career there. It’s a very interesting time to be in Germany as the country has taken on a stronger leadership role in international security in Europe.”

Cote-Dorado was also recently named a finalist for the Fulbright US Student Program as well, but has opted for the CBYX fellowship.

He was an intern at the U.S. Department of State in the fall of 2023, which included a trip with a delegation to Moldova for a multilateral nuclear security exercise. Cote-Dorado was also an intern in the Connecticut State Senate in the spring of 2024.

“Being in Hartford was interesting because I didn’t know much about state politics beforehand,” says Cote-Dorado. “I got to see not only how the legislative process works, but also how senators and representatives engage with each other. Connecticut is a small state, and they all know each other at the Capitol. It was interesting to see how committed they are to representing their citizens. They do it because they really care.”