FAQ:
What is Alumni Stories?
Why was Alumni Stories created?
There are many diverse stories that exemplify how American CBYX participants’ lives have been impacted by their exchange experiences in Germany. By gathering and publishing alumni stories from each of the 35 years of the CBYX program’s existence, we believe we can energize alumni across the country, reconnect alumni to one another, and to Germany/German culture, show the effectiveness in creating mutual understanding that cultural exchange programs can have, and sustainably grow CBYX Alumni Association.
What kinds of submissions are allowed?
Alumni Stories accepts any contribution that CBYX alumni wish to provide to describe their experience. That may be something testimonial, like a written story, but could also include any type of creative work, such as creative films, theatrical works, musical works, poetry or works of creative writing, or other works of art (e.g., paintings, drawings, etchings, prints, lithographs, sculptures, photographs, videos, installation works, performances, etc). If your contribution can be documented using electronic media (audio, video, photography, writing, hypertext, etc), it will be gladly accepted for inclusion.
How will my story be used?
Every story’s primary publication will be on the Alumni Stories website, which will collect and catalog all the stories into searchable, sortable, interactive presentations. Stories may also be adapted, excerpted, edited or otherwise cited in social media posts, abridged collections and listicle posts, campaigns or even printed books. The first printed book for Alumni Stories, which will include as many stories as possible, is scheduled to be released before the end of 2021. The Alumni Stories website is slated to go live in August 2021.
I see an error, have a copyright concern or other problem with an Alumni Stories narrative, article, video or image. What should I do?
Please use our contact page to notify the Alumni Stories team that you have a concern that needs to be addressed. Use the message field to clearly outline your concerns, including any necessary URLs and context. A member of the team will get back to you in a timely fashion.
Will I get to approve my story?
Yes. Every story needs to be checked by a person for cataloguing and processing, and through that process, the volunteer assigned to work with you on your story will be in touch to walk you through that and discuss it. Should there be any concerns, they will collaborate with you to resolve them before scheduling the content for publication. Only after your approval is received will the materials be submitted to the publishing queue.
What happens after I submit my story materials?
Once you submit to the project, your materials are stored in a secure cloud drive, where they are queued for review and processing by volunteers. This processing includes cataloguing and assigning taxonomy (think categories and keywords), as well as looking for technical problems, such as a corrupted file or spelling errors. After a volunteer is assigned to your story, they will reach out via the email you provided in your submission form to discuss how they will process the materials submitted, and review the work they’ve done. After that is complete, the materials are scheduled and sent for publication.
When will the Alumni Stories website be available to view?
The Alumni Stories website is scheduled to be live before U.S. Labor Day, 2021. Stay tuned to this site for more information.
How do I join the CBYX Alumni Association?
Go to CBYXAlumni.org for more information about the CBYX Alumni Association.