Turkish

Expectations Exceeded: Learning Virtually During a Pandemic

Sawyer is from Kensington, NH and an alumnus of the Turkish 2020 Virtual Summer Intensive program. Participating in the Virtual NSLI-Y Turkish Summer 2020 Program exceeded all of my expectations. I had applied to the program back in the fall with the expectation of being able to go to Turkey. Read More
An image of Sawyer holding a sign that reads

Indonesian

A Virtual Bridge Between Cultures

Zoey is from Rochester, MN and an alumna of the Indonesian 2020 Virtual Summer Intensive program. The NSLI-Y Virtual Summer Intensive speaks true to its name: two hours of language instruction every weekday on Zoom, cultural classes on Sundays, cultural projects, two calls per week with our peer leaders, and… Read More
A collage of six different photos from Zoey's Indonesian program. The images are blue and white and show different parts of making batik. The images show paint brushes

NSLI-Y VSI Highlights: Students Virtually Connect and Network

To ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) chose to make its summer program entirely virtual. The NSLI-Y Virtual Summer Intensive (VSI) program of 2020 was a virtual alternative to NSLI-Y’s standard… Read More
Header image with title

NSLI-Y VSI Highlights: Students Virtually Participate in Cultural Activities

To ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) chose to make its summer program entirely virtual. The NSLI-Y Virtual Summer Intensive (VSI) program of 2020 was a virtual alternative to NSLI-Y’s standard summer programming that aimed… Read More
A banner image with the text

Hindi

I Am Become Death: An Essay on Sanskrit Literature

Caine is from Noblesville, IN and an alumnus of the Hindi 2020 Virtual Summer Intensive program. Over the past five weeks, I have been learning Hindi with the National Security Language Initiative for Youth Virtual Summer Intensive (NSLI-Y VSI). The NSLI-Y VSI is a program of the U.S. Department of… Read More
A photo from a video call where Caine and his NSLI-Y cohort are all smiling and posing for a photo

Korean

Buddhism in Korea

Ellie is from Asheville, NC and an alumna of the Korean AY 2019-20 program in Seoul, South Korea. After a temple stay cultural excursion with our implementing organization, my curiosity surrounding Buddhism sparked. The temple was only a short bus ride from where my host family lived, and my host… Read More
Ellie stands in front of a Buddhist temple in Korea. He stands in front of a building with red light and intricate architecture.