Chinese (Mandarin)

Alumni Spotlight: Daniel Combines Love of Languages with Interest in Tech

Daniel delved into Mandarin after studying Spanish in school. He was curious to learn how languages differed and wanted to try a language that felt much different than Spanish. The unique tonal and writing systems of Chinese and its status as the most spoken language in the world drew him… Read More
Daniel while on the NSLI-Y program standing on a bridge in front of a river.

Korean

Finding Family Abroad

I held my battered shoes and admired the crisp white laces. Korea was in the middle of Jangma or Monsoon season, and I often came home from school with soaked shoes. While I tried to keep my shoes white, the laces were slowly becoming more and more of a creamy… Read More
A student poses before a grassy fields with houses and a mountain in the background

Arabic

Alumni Spotlight: How NSLI-Y led Aidan to a Career in Arabic Instruction

Aidan is an alum of the 2011 Arabic Summer and the 2012-2013 Arabic Academic year programs in Morocco. Aidan has a Bachelor’s degree in linguistics and a Master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies and Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language. Currently, he is an Assistant Instructional Professor of Arabic at… Read More
Aidan giving a presentation (Photo Credit: Abel Arciniega)

Korean

Resonance

From my daily commute to a regularly scheduled adventure, I always found myself at a crossroads between the novelty and familiarity of Korea. Seoul was where my childhood memories interfaced with the sweeping mountains and cityscapes of my home away from home. To entertain me for a moment, I want… Read More
a stone paved path leads down towards some houses

Hindi

Ganges River Cultural Excursion

Due to the the COVID-19 pandemic, exchange students scheduled to participate in a NSLI-Y Scholarship Program were unable to do so in person, and instead participated in virtual programming. Thanks to the NSLI-Y Alumni Travel Program (ATP), a program of the U.S. Department of State, these students recently had the… Read More
Students on a boat looking at the sunset

Russian

A Passport to Possibility

What comes next? That seems to always be the question before a big step. You prepare to take a leap of faith but what comes after that remains a nagging question. When choosing to participate in the 2021 NSLI-Y Virtual Summer Intensive (VSI), the path of opportunity ahead of me… Read More
Riga Skyline from the Radisson Blu Hotel