This opportunity is available to all students with at least a 2.5 GPA who are between 16 and 18.5, regardless of prior German language knowledge (though being in classes is definitely a plus)!
I'm also not sure what the exact composition of your classroom looks like grade-wise, but I figure it's worth mentioning the Euro Challenge (https://www.euro-challenge.org/history-and-partners), an initiative of the EU Delegation to the U.S.A. aimed at expanding young peoples' (namely 9th and 10th graders) understanding of the European market and its single currency. The Challenge is team-based, and there has to be a faculty advisor present, so it's definitely the more methodical path to take.
If neither of these initiatives is your cup of tea, there are some other opportunities the U.S. Department of State list here (https://exchanges.state.gov/highschool/) that provide immersive experiences similar to the CBYX, but instead in various places throughout the world. The FLEX Abroad program in particular focuses on Kazakhstan, Georgia (capital city:Tbilisi, not Atlanta) and Poland.
College:
Just off the bat, doing a mere study-abroad (like me!) is a relatively easy way to dip your toes in the world outside of the United States. Depending on which university you're studying at, they will likely have partnerships with foreign universities and study abroad institutes, which makes the application process just a bit more streamlined, as well as scholarships to help pay for such. If you're aiming high and bold, however, the Fulbright Program (https://us.fulbrightonline.org/countries/europe-and-eurasia) offers a variety of study awards in countless countries to undergraduate and graduate students, though the exact nature of these awards differs.
