U.S. Department of State
Arabic
Exploring the Impact of the Virtual NSLI-Y Experience
“I’ve always enjoyed opportunities to meet and interact with people from all backgrounds, especially if we’re united by a passion for language.” Eshaan shares a powerful motivation for joining Virtual NSLI-Y. In April 2022, Eshaan volunteered at a refugee enclave in Houston, TX where he taught nutrition and fitness… Read More
Russian
Выходные на даче — Weekends at Dacha
When I first moved in with my Estonian host family in Narva, my Russian was not where I expected it to be. I froze up and forgot the whole language when I was spoken to, despite starting the program at an intermediate low level. This is why, when my host… Read More
Russian
A Summer in Russia
Forty-five kilometers south of St. Petersburg, the city is best known for The Great Gatchina Palace. Built-in 1766 under the guidance of Catherine the Great, it was a favorite summer home of the Romanovs. My host family and I often walked the expansive grounds, marveling at the captivating architecture, ornate… Read More
Russian
Cheese Diplomacy
I go to college in Boston, but I’m a fourth-generation Wisconsinite, and the cheese state pride runs in my veins. When I went to Russia, I followed NSLI-Y’s advice and brought a lot of Wisconsin-themed things for my host family. I knew I was going to have 3 host siblings,… Read More
Chinese (Mandarin)
From Xi’an to DC: Being Open to the Unexpected
In February, I was lucky to attend the NSLI-Y Alumni Leadership Workshop in Washington, D.C. Roughly two dozen of us NSLI-Y alumni — spanning years and target languages, including Korean, Russian, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese like me — convened for a morning session at the American Councils headquarters and an… Read More
Arabic
Exploring Personal Development Through Language Learning
*Scroll down to read this story in Arabic. My 2018 Arabic NSLI-Y experience in Rabat, Morocco was life-changing. It was such a rewarding experience that I decided to return for my studies through the Boren Scholarship from 2022-2023. I had a lot of growth to reflect upon between these two… Read More
