U.S. Department of State
The NSLI-Y summer abroad program is 6-7 weeks long and offers intensive language instruction, a host family stay for all or part of the program, and a variety of cultural activities designed to enhance language skills.
Summer Abroad
About
- Program Duration: 6-7 weeks
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, U.S. residency, enrolled in high school, 15-18 years old, and more. View details
- Languages: Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Korean, Persian, Russian, and Turkish
- Program Cost: Covered by NSLI-Y Scholarship
6,000+
teens have participated in NSLI-Y summer abroad programs across 16 countries since its inception in 2006.
Nearly 100%*
of alumni credit NSLI-Y with increasing their professional and personal skills.
Nearly 90%*
of alumni continued to study their NSLI-Y target language post-program.
*Statistics from NSLI-Y’s 2023 Alumni Survey.
During the NSLI-Y summer abroad program, participants receive a minimum of 120 hours of classroom instruction in intensive language classes. Beyond the classroom, they engage with host families, complete assignments, and participate in cultural activities and peer language partner sessions. NSLI-Y summer abroad program participants gain insights into their host culture and promote intercultural understanding by representing America to the local community.
The program is suitable for students at all language levels; no prior language learning experience is required for participation.
Many NSLI-Y summer abroad program alumni participate successfully in other U.S. government language learning and cultural exchange programs and continue to use their target language in their academic and professional careers and home community. Learn more about the program’s impact.
What to Expect
Program Format
Each NSLI-Y summer abroad program is distinctive, and the program experience may differ, but you can expect:
- Rigorous language instruction, coursework, and homework
- Opportunities to apply acquired language skills and cultural knowledge in an immersive environment
- Cultural activities in the host location
- Accommodations with a host family or combined host family and supervised dormitory stay
- Language partner meetings with local peers
Time Commitment
The NSLI-Y summer abroad program is a highly structured academic program with a limited degree of independent activities. Before and during the program, participants:
- Dedicate at least several hours to pre-program tasks and assignments
- Complete 120 hours of live instruction (typically 4 hours of language instruction five days per week, but may vary by program location)
- Complete homework assignments, quizzes, and exams
Requirements
Participants are required to participate in all pre-program, on-program, and post-program activities:
- Pre-departure orientation
- Pre-program Oral Proficiency Interview (except for those with no prior exposure to the target language)
- Full program schedule, including international travel with the cohort on the designated departure and return dates
- Attendance and participation in all classes
- Cultural activities
- Post-program Oral Proficiency Interview
- Pre- and post-program surveys
NSLI-Y cannot accommodate requests to customize the program schedule, location, coursework, travel dates, host family composition, or placement.
The summer I spent in Jordan was the singularly most defining experience in my life. I’ve never been so challenged, transformed, and inspired as I was when I navigated the challenges and wonders of living abroad.
Julia, NSLI-Y Arabic Alumna
FAQ
The NSLI-Y scholarship covers:
- Visas for entrance to and exit from the host country/location
- 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
- Secondary/supplementary health coverage for accidents and sickness
- Stipend for local transportation and incidentals
The NSLI-Y scholarship does not cover:
- 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 application
- 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 experiences vary across program sites and from year to year. In general, NSLI-Y summer abroad programs are very structured. Participants typically have breakfast with their host families or in their group housing, commute to their local host institution, and attend language class for 3 to 4 hours each morning. Participants have lunch with peers and spend the afternoon hours attending language classes, conversing with language partners, participating in cultural activities, and/or completing assignments or projects. In the evening, participants often spend time with their host families and complete homework. Read more about a typical day.
View this information on the Participant Requirements page.
Virtual NSLI-Y students who meet NSLI-Y eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply for overseas NSLI-Y programs. Participation in Virtual NSLI-Y will be considered in the application process.
However, those who have already participated or are currently participating in a U.S. Department of State-funded academic year abroad program are not eligible for NSLI-Y summer abroad programs.
NSLI-Y is a structured language-learning experience, and participants should not expect a lot of independence. Participants attend language classes and cultural activities with others in their group. In the evenings and on weekends, participants have planned activities, study time, and/or time with their host families. Participants will have a curfew and should not expect to travel independently while on-program. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for more information about program policies.
NSLI-Y summer abroad programs typically include homestays with host families that have been carefully screened and selected. Some programs place students in host families for the full program duration, while others place students in well-monitored dormitories and with host families for weekends or for a segment of the program. Resident directors or local coordinators provide support to participants throughout the program. View more information about host communities.
NSLI-Y participants are not allowed to travel independently while on-program. Participants should not expect to travel with host families, but if such an opportunity arises, it must not interfere with program activities and must be approved by the implementing organization in advance. Overnight excursions are not guaranteed. Please refer to the Travel Policies section in the NSLI-Y Terms and Conditions for more information.
Visits from family and home country friends, including those who reside in the host country/location, are not permitted for the summer abroad program. Such visits interrupt the continuity of the relationship with the host family and diminish the exchange experience for the participant and host family. Participants and their families must follow the requirements of their implementing organizations. See the NSLI-Y Terms and Conditions for more information.