Linguistics student earns prestigious U.S.-Germany fellowship

A passion for language, a transformative study abroad experience, and dedicated mentorship have propelled Wayne State University student Kate Vaughn onto the international stage as a recipient of the prestigious Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals.

Vaughn is a second-year graduate student studying linguistics. Born and raised in Detroit, Vaughn got the opportunity during undergrad to study abroad in Germany through the Junior Year in Munich program. There, she cemented her love for the German language and culture and finished her major in the field. She applied to CBYX so that she could return to Germany and gain further experience in international exchange facilitation.

Passionate about language learning and cultural exchange, Vaughn has worked at Global Ties Detroit as a program assistant, for the linguistics program as a tutor, and for the English department as a graduate teaching assistant. Vaughn's mentors include Professor Alicia Nails, Dr. Ljiljana Progovac, and the late Dr. Lisa Hock to whom she dedicates this accomplishment.

Her selection for CBYX reflects her academic achievements along with her commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding. She credits Wayne State's support systems as instrumental in her success. "I would not be where I am today without the Junior Year in Munich Program and the dedicated professionals at the Office of Fellowships," Vaughn said. "It was through JYM that I got my first international experience and learned about the CBYX program."

The CBYX serves as a highly competitive fellowship that fosters transatlantic exchange between the United States and Germany. The program, administered by Cultural Vistas, provides participants with opportunities for language study, professional development, and cultural immersion.

Vaughn is especially looking forward to deepening her cultural immersion through homestay experiences. "Homestays are an integral part of the CBYX program, so I'm so excited to experience German culture and language on a deeper, more personal level."

Margaret Ogg, who oversees both the Office of Fellowships and the Junior Year in Munich program, emphasized the significance of Vaughn's achievement.

"Kate was deeply influenced by her in-country experience through the Junior Year in Munich (JYM) program," Ogg said. "Her ambition, curiosity about Germany and the broader global context, and her study abroad experience have prepared her for this application and for the time she will spend in Germany."

Through CBYX, Vaughn will continue to build the cross-cultural skills and global perspective that have defined her academic career, strengthen the longstanding partnership between the United States and Germany, and advance her own path in linguistics through international exchange.