CDS International

CDS International (CDS) -- is a nonprofit organization that supports intercultural understanding through international exchange and professional development programs in Argentina, Germany, Russia, Spain and the United States. CDS programs include internships abroad, professional fellowships, State Department public diplomacy initiatives, J-1 visa services, work-study programs, and study tours.

CDS currently administers over 30 customized programs with more than 15 partner organizations and 800 companies worldwide. Each year, CDS serves over 2,700 participants from more than 80 countries. Participants can be placed with both large corporations and small organizations. Corporate placements have included internships with BMW AG, CNN International, Der Spiegel, Siemens USA, Google, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, amongst others.

History
CDS International is a historically German-American organization. It was incorporated on January 30th, 1968 in New York City by its then-German counterpart, the Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft.

In the 1920s, Carl Duisberg, General Director of Bayer AG in Germany, initiated the first transatlantic work-study programs between the United States and Germany with the help of the German Student Association's New York City office. He was convinced that transatlantic training programs were critical to the growth of German industry.

Program alumni rose to prominent positions following World War II at leading firms such as AEG, Bayer, Bosch, Daimler Benz, and Siemens, by introducing the mass production methods and business practices they learned while in the U.S. to their native Germany. The alumni from these initial exchanges were inspired by Carl Duisberg, and in 1949 founded the Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft (CDG) to help engineers, businessmen, and farmers gain international work experience necessary for rebuilding post-war Germany and Europe.

In 1968, the The Carl Duisberg Society was founded in New York City as a nonprofit organization designed to rekindle Duisberg's original exchanges and to facilitate international career training opportunities for Americans and Germans. The first program took place during 1968-1969 year and was an agricultural work/study exchange with approximately 30 German participants.

In subsequent years, the number of offered programs increased as did the number of participants. In the late 1980's, approximately 600-800 participants were served yearly, while the 1990's saw those numbers climb to 1000-1200 per annum. The Carl Duisberg Society's name was changed to CDS International in 1987 to reflect the increasingly international nature of their programs.

In addition to its headquarters in New York City, CDS has regional representatives in Washington D.C., California, and Michigan as well as in Berlin, Germany.

Mission
CDS International is committed to the advancement of international career training opportunities customized to provide individuals with in-depth practical knowledge of other nations' business practices, cultures, and political traditions. These experiences help strengthen global cooperation and understanding amongst individuals, businesses, organizations and communities.

Fellowships

CDS International offers five prestigious fellowship opportunities in Germany and Russia. Each fellowship is unique and provides participants with the chance to grow professionally in an international setting. The duration, content, location, and focus of each fellowship varies. The five fellowships are: The Alfa Fellowship Program,, The Émigré Memorial German Internship Program (EMGIP), the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program, and The Baden-Wurttemberg-STIPENDIM "Work Immersion Study Program"(WISP).

Internships Abroad
CDS offers personalized, intercultural training programs for students and young professionals. Internships are available in Argentina, Germany, and Spain for 3-12 months, depending on the program. In cooperation with partners InWEnt in Germany, COINED in Argentina, and CDS representatives in Berlin and Madrid, CDS tailors internships to applicants' skill sets and career goals. Participants also receive assistance with language training, resume writing, pre-departure cultural and logistical issues, as well as in-country and re-entry support.

Intern / Train USA
CDS offers visa services to students, recent graduates, and young professionals interested in training/interning in the United States on the U.S. Department of State J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. Each CDS J-1 visa program is designed to familiarize participants with U.S. business practices and immerse them in American culture. CDS works directly with U.S. host organizations and international partners to create customized training and internship programs in a participant's career field. CDS' J-1 visa programs are organized into four divisions: Career Training Programs, Professional Development Program, International Co-op Programs, and USA Internship Programs.

International Study Tours
CDS develops educational study tours to inform participants of global business practices and training methods. The study tours are designed for young professionals, students, educators, business or government representatives who desire a shorter abroad experience with no language prerequisite. Individuals and organizations that participate are seeking to exchange best practices, learn about foreign customs, build an international network, and employ their new skills in their home country. Locations and areas of focus alternate with each study tour.

Special Projects
CDS administers various special projects designed to strengthen global cooperation. These include the administration of grant programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of State in conjunction with CDS' international partners, new energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives, and participant contests designed to increase cross-cultural awareness and understanding. Special projects reach a variety of audiences including young professionals, students, educators, and business and government representatives.

Partner Organizations
CDS International continues to work with InWEnt: Capacity Building International (formerly CDG) and the Deutsche Studentenwerke as well as numerous other international partners in Europe and Asia. also provides stipends to deserving German and American exchange participants in CDS programs.

See Also
*Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program
*Alfa Fellowship Program
*Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange
*InWEnt gGmbH

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