Post-Acceptance

All NSLI-Y programs abroad include:

• Pre-departure language materials and orientation
• In-country orientation and support
• Language and cultural instruction with opportunities to apply acquired skills and knowledge
• Cultural activities
• Community service projects, when culturally appropriate
• Accommodations, with a host family or combined host family/supervised dormitory stay
• End-of-stay orientation
• Alumni activities, including access to the U.S. Department of State’s online International Exchange Alumni community, and the NSLI-Y Alumni Association

The costs covered by NSLI-Y study abroad programs are:

• Round-trip travel between the participant’s home city to the pre-departure orientation and the overseas host program location
• Pre-departure, arrival, and end-of-stay orientations
• Tuition and related academic program costs including preparation, support and testing
• Educational and cultural programming, including program travel
• In-country staff support
• Host family and other housing accommodations, as relevant
• Three basic meals each day
• Visas for entrance to and exit from the host country/location
• Secondary/supplementary health coverage for accidents and sickness
• Stipend for local transportation and incidentals

The costs not covered by NSLI-Y study abroad programs are:

• Costs associated with obtaining a valid U.S. passport (for the participant or legal guardians if required for a visa application)
• Required medical examinations and immunizations for the NSLI-Y medical review or visa requirements
• Pocket money for personal items
• Excess baggage fees

Under certain circumstances, finalists may have to pay for travel to an embassy for a visa application.

NSLI-Y Administration distributes a medical evaluation form to all semi-finalists at the time of notification.

Medical review is only initiated after an applicant is selected as a finalist or alternate. The finalist’s or alternate’s medical evaluation forms are reviewed by independent medical professionals. The medical review process may be lengthy. During this period, finalists and alternates may be asked to provide additional information related to the medical review. The result of the medical review determines if a candidate meets medical requirements for program placement and participation in NSLI-Y. Delayed responses in the medical review process and/or withholding relevant health information may result in cancellation of the NSLI-Y scholarship or dismissal from the program.

Review Terms and Conditions for more information about medical review requirements.

Finalists will receive a variety of pre-departure information, which will include language study materials for students without background in the target language and may include language study materials for others. Finalists must participate in various required pre-program preparation activities, as determined by the implementing organization.

Each organization implementing a NSLI-Y program conducts orientations for the NSLI-Y participants in that program. Pre-departure preparations begin soon after finalist notifications.  

Pre-departure orientations often take place in the U.S. city of international departure and usually last 1-2 days. Participants are informed of the specific orientation location at the time of finalist notification.

The orientation prepares students to be safe and successful exchange participants. Topics generally include health and safety, program information and schedules, program rules and guidelines, an overview of the host culture, managing culture shock, the participant role as a citizen ambassador, and teambuilding activities.

Attendance at the pre-departure orientation is mandatory for all NSLI-Y participants. While parent(s)/guardian(s) may be included in various preparation activities, family members are not permitted to attend the in-person pre-departure orientation.

Program finalists are assigned to an implementing organization, which provides detailed instructions about the visa process for the country where NSLI-Y program will take place. Finalists do not need to apply for a visa until instructed to do so. The visa application process may take several weeks and requires a valid U.S. passport. Please remember that only U.S. citizens are eligible for NSLI-Y programs, and NSLI-Y students must travel with a U.S. passport.

Participants travel on a chaperoned flight with the rest of the students in their group from the pre-departure orientation location to the host location. Domestic travel from the participant’s permanent residence to the U.S. departure city and international airfare to the host location are covered by the NSLI-Y scholarship. Participants must travel to and from the host location with their program group.

Participants should contact NSLI-Y Administration for questions regarding:

• Medical review
• AIS portal issues
• Passport issues
• General program expectations and requirements
• Language testing

Participants should contact the implementing organization for questions regarding:

• Visas
• Program and travel dates
• Pre-program requirements
• Orientation
• Host country-specific information
• Packing tips

The Virtual NSLI-Y scholarship covers:

• Program materials/textbooks (if used by instructor)
• 10 weeks (30 hours) of online instruction with an experienced language instructor through live Zoom video sessions
• Cultural learning (for example: guest speaker presentations, virtual tours of cultural sites, etc.)
• Access to a learning management system with discussion boards, assignments, projects, and resources
• Program completion certificate (if all program requirements are fulfilled)

The Virtual NSLI-Y scholarship does not cover:

• Internet access, software, or hardware (Email [email protected] to request information about financial assistance if needed)
• Travel

Finalists receive information on how to request reasonable accommodations at the time of notification. Requests must be made within 7 days of finalist notification. Email [email protected] to request more information.

Program materials and  supplies are specific to each class section and are determined by Virtual NSLI-Y teachers. Shipping of supplies begins within 2 weeks of acceptance. Supplies may be delivered through the first few weeks of the program.

Applicants rank class time options by preference in the Virtual NSLI-Y application. NSLI-Y staff make reasonable efforts to place finalists in their first preference, but preferences cannot always be honored. Class placement depends on teacher availability and other factors.

Virtual NSLI-Y finalists must agree to their class schedule placement upon acceptance of the scholarship. This placement is not transferable to another language, day, or time. If a finalist’s schedule does not permit them to attend the offered class time, they should immediately contact [email protected] but typically need to decline acceptance and re-apply.

Virtual NSLI-Y participants are allowed up to 3 excused absences. Unexcused absences are not permitted. To be considered an excused absence, the student must communicate with their instructor and Virtual NSLI-Y staff at least 24 hours before the session. Students who miss a session because of sudden illness or an emergency should communicate with their instructor and Virtual NSLI-Y staff at their earliest convenience. Participants should expect to make up any missed class work.

Virtual NSLI-Y activities do not take place on U.S. federal holidays. If one or more sessions fall on a U.S. federal holiday, program administrators or a teacher will be in touch with students about scheduling adjustments to normal class days/times.

For language classes scheduled on a religious holiday, students can be granted an excused absence if observing.

• Virtual NSLI-Y alumni are eligible to join International Exchange Alumni, a large network of alumni from U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-facilitated exchange programs. This community allows exchange participants to build on their exchange experiences, network with fellow ECA alumni, and gain access to online resources and events. 
• NSLI-Y Alumni Association membership is open only to participants who have completed summer or academic year programs. However, Virtual NSLI-Y participants are welcome to engage with the NSLI-Y community through NSLI-Y social media and to present about Virtual NSLI-Y at their school or local community. Email [email protected] for presentation resources.