CDS International (CDS), founded in 1968, is a non-profit
organization committed to the advancement of international practical
training opportunities for young professionals, students, educators,
as well as labor, business and government representatives. CDS
started out small, arranging internships in U.S. companies for
young German professionals and exchanging farmers between Germany
and the United States. Today, CDS serves over 2,700 individuals
annually from over 80 countries worldwide in a variety of work/study, internship, fellowship and study tour
programs.
Staff photo, February 2007
Our History
In the 1920s, Carl Duisberg, General Director of Bayer AG in Germany, envisioned
sending German students to the United States on work-study programs. Duisberg
was convinced that international practical training was critical to the growth
of German industry. Many of the returning trainees later rose to prominent positions
at AEG, Bayer, Bosch, Daimler Benz, and Siemens, bringing with them new methods
for mass production, new ideas, and new business practices.
Following World War II, alumni from the first exchanges founded the Carl Duisberg
Gesellschaft (CDG) in 1949 to help engineers, businessmen and farmers gain international
work experience necessary for the rebuilding of Germany. In 1968, the Carl Duisberg
Society was founded in New York City as a nonprofit organization to develop
more opportunities for Americans to gain international practical training. Our
name was changed to CDS International in 1987 to reflect the increasingly international
nature of our programs. In addition to our programs with the CDG in Germany,
CDS International administers programs with foreign partners and participants
in over 50 countries worldwide.
Our Mission
CDS International, Inc. 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.
Our Vision
We believe individuals need to be given opportunities to enhance their professional abilities cross-culturally in order to obtain and maintain the job skills necessary for successful careers in today's global economy. In providing international training opportunities, we contribute to social and economic stability and prosperity in the United States and in those countries where we send and receive participants. We believe international exchange strengthens cooperation between different cultures and nations, reduces conflicts and contributes to better solutions to issues confronting today's societies.
Our Participants
Our programs serve students and professionals in business, marketing, accounting,
science, engineering, technology, hotel management and tourism, agriculture,
journalism, public policy and administration, information technology, law, education,
vocational training and many other professions.
Our programs also serve organizations - public and private industries, colleges
and universities, state and local governments, and research organizations throughout
the world. These organizations gain well-qualified, multilingual personnel with
contacts abroad, new perspectives and a strong sense of professionalism.
Building Careers
CDS International helps "build the careers" of our participants by
giving them the opportunity to gain meaningful, practical training in a foreign
country. International exchange programs provide innovative opportunities to
stimulate the development of highly trained and interculturally experienced
business, academic, and government leaders. We offer individuals the chance
to learn new skills and technologies, build relations with foreign counterparts,
become immersed in foreign culture and language, and gain the confidence that
comes from taking risks. Our programs give participants a chance to broaden
their professional and personal experience, so that they can perform their jobs
more effectively because of new insights and perspectives gained while overseas.
In turn, our program alumni contribute to a stronger, more adaptable workforce
at home and abroad. They aquire an increased ability to improvise and solve
problems. Their understanding of diverse methodologies and thinking induces
greater tolerance and appreciation. Taken together, these qualities make individuals
with international practical training skilled and valued employees in today's
international business environment.
Our Partners & Sponsors
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We work with a variety of international organizations to insure the quality of our programs. They include international development agencies, corporate foundations, government sponsored institutes, as well as private and public corporations. CDS partner organizations abroad include:
Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung (InWEnt): Germany
One of our most important partnerships is with InWEnt (formally known as the CDG). The CDG was established in 1949 and is financed chiefly by the German government to foster international exchange and personnel development. CDG merged with the German Foundation for International Development (DSE) in 2002 to form InWEnt.
Academic Cultural Exchange Pte Ltd: Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia
Aceglobal provides programs to the U.S. and is also in cooperation with CDS to allow American participants to train in Singapore
Kyungpook National University, Office of International Affairs: South Korea
Internationaler Fachkraefteaustausch: Vienna, Austria
GAKorea
We also have long-standing partnerships with the Robert Bosch Foundation and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) located in Vienna. Our partner organizations help expand the scope of our programs and provide effective local contacts within each country to better serve the program participants and objectives.
Our Sponsors
CDS thanks the following companies for their generous support:
The Bayer Corporation |
Lufthansa German Airlines |
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and the
Festo Corporation
