U.S. Department of State
On November 20, NSLI-Y Interactive hosted the virtual event “NSLI-Y and The Arts.”
NSLI-Y Interactive Virtual Event — NSLI-Y and The Arts Alumni Panel
December 4, 2024
On Wednesday, November 20, NSLI-Y Interactive hosted the virtual event “NSLI-Y and The Arts.”
NSLI-Y Interactive hosted a panel of NSLI-Y Chinese, Korean, and Arabic alumni who shared their experiences practicing and engaging with art abroad. From viola lessons in Taiwan to folk art in South Korea, attendees learned how NSLI-Y students use the arts as a way to enhance their language immersion, a coping mechanism to deal with stress and homesickness, and a platform for sharing their NSLI-Y experience and host culture.
Oona, Korean AY 2023-2024 alum, is from Whatcom County in Washington StateI and is currently finishing up her senior year of high school through the Running Start Program at a local community college. While on program in Seoul, South Korea, Oona took traditional folk art classes from a local studio for four months.
Allison, Chinese AY 2023-2024 alum, is from Denver, Colorado and is currently a first-year undergraduate student majoring in Chinese and Computer Science. While on program in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Allison took viola lessons in Chinese and participated in a chamber ensemble. She still plays viola in her school’s orchestra program.
Raha, Arabic Summer 2023 alum, is a freshman at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service where she studies international politics. In Amman, Jordan, she fell in love with the city because of how much art was valued and surrounded her environment. She sought out opportunities to make art but also museums to immerse herself in art. This had a profound impact on bettering her mental health in Amman and gave her a unique experience that she will never forget. Raha still paints for charity events at school and just for fun!
Ellen, Chinese AY 2023-2024 alum, is from Green Bay, Wisconsin and currently a freshman at University of Wisconsin-Madison studying political science and data science. While on program in Taipei City, Taiwan, Ellen was the assistant principal violist in her host institution’s orchestra and competed in regional music festivals.
Sasha, Korean Summer 2022 and Chinese AY 2023-2024 alum, is currently a first-year at Stanford studying Symbolic Systems. During her exchanges in both Kaohsiung and Seoul, she sang lots of karaoke, participated in singing competitions, and used singing as a conduit for connecting with her host families and extended communities. In Taiwan, she also created an urban sketch portfolio illustrating everyday scenes around the city.