Noel B. Berhane, a law student at Goethe University Frankfurt, travels Hesse as a junior ambassador for the Franco-German Youth Office (FGYO).
The title “junior ambassador” has an official ring to it, the image that comes to mind is of someone wearing a dark suit with a pocket square. That does not apply to Noel B. Berhane, who can be found on Goethe University’s Westend Campus casually dressed in jeans and sneakers. A law student, Berhane also active in the Law Clinic, and would like to take his first state examination this year. For several semesters his main focus has been on international and European law. “That’s actually how I came to be at the Franco-German Youth Office,” Berhane recalls, adding that he thought it would be great to do an internship in France. He ended up being placed in the German Ministry of Justice’s liaison office at the French Ministry of Justice in Paris. “Ever since, I have not been able to give the topic of Franco-German relations a rest. I had heard of the many associations and initiatives promoting exchanges between the two countries. That’s how I discovered FGYO and the idea to apply to be a junior ambassador was born.” It worked. Berhane has been serving as FGYO’s junior ambassador for Hesse since October 2024, helping establish cultural contacts between young people in Germany and France. In addition to developing his own ideas, he is also engaged in a steady dialog with his German and French junior ambassador colleagues.
The Franco-German Youth Office (FGYO) describes itself as an international organization “in service of the Franco-German friendship. The FGYO’s mission is to strengthen the ties between young people from Germany and France and to deepen their understanding of one another,” the organization’s website says. FGYO was founded as part of the Élysée Treaty of 1963; the office receives equal funding from the German and French governments.
Cultural exchanges are traditionally associated with learning the language of the partner. But Berhane points out that good knowledge of French is not essential for participating in FGYO’s programs. He is aware that regardless of which bank of the Rhine one calls home, the willingness to learn the neighbors’ language has not necessarily grown over the years. “Of course, it’s fine for French and Germans to converse in English. Language barriers should not get in the way of communication. Be that as it may, having a basic understanding of the other language is certainly desirable when it comes to developing a mutual cultural understanding.” He stresses, “Before my internship I could already read and write French fairly well, but I still had some problems with speaking it. If you open up to it, you can really improve your language skills while in the country.”
The centerpiece of any cultural contact is visits to the partner country; from the Frankfurt perspective, the twin city of Lyon is an obvious starting point. Anyone interested in the program can visit the website to find out which type of activity would be suitable. For students, for example, there is the PRAXES program, which offers voluntary internships in France irrespective of educational qualification, degree or training course. “As a junior ambassador I advise all interested candidates on their applications, including on finding financial support. After all, a stay abroad can be very expensive.” FGYO is also there to support young people with mobility scholarships.
Berhane would love to hear from as many Goethe University students as possible – “the best way to reach me is by e-mail,” he says. There are no particular deadlines, but applicants should allow sufficient time for arranging the funding, so that it will be available by the time they start their internship. “You should have at the very least started the second semester of your degree program,” Berhane says. Students who would like to get to know France and see a visit here as linked to their degree – regardless of the subject or discipline – are welcome to contact the junior ambassador directly, who is also happy to help them in their search for an internship.
Noel B. Berhane
Jeune Ambassadeur/Junior Ambassador, Référent pour/for Hesse
n.berhane@ofaj-dfjw.org
Franco-German Youth Office (FGYO)
DFJW → / OFAJ →
