National Security Language Initiative for Youth

The NSLI-Y program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)

My NSLI-Y Experience• Russian Year 2011-2012• Most memorable experience:

– First time at banya with my host family

• Interesting story with words: – дальше – выкинуть мусор– Да нет.

Why I personally think it’s awesome

• Benefit of my study abroad experience: – Appreciating differences– Understanding Russian– Volunteer opportunities– Friends!

NSLI-Y Program Overview• Goal is to foster understanding of

different cultures and promote study of less common languages

• Academic year (8 to 11 months) or summer programs (6-8 weeks)

Languages:

• Arabic• Chinese (Mandarin)• Hindi• Korean• Persian (Tajik)• Russian• Turkish

Scholarship covers:

• Domestic and international travel

• Tuition and related academic expenses

• Daily language classes• Supporting cultural

activities• Room and board• Health insurance abroad

Eligibility• U.S. citizen 15-18 years old at the start of the program

• 2.5 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent)

• Enrolled in high school at time of application

• Not an immediate family member of an employee of ECA Youth Programs Division or an administering organization

• Not a previous participant in an ECA, Department of State sponsored program outside the U.S., with the exception of a NSLI-Y Summer program.

• Previous language study is not a requirement

See website for more information

(http://www.nsliforyouth.org/)

Key Components of NSLI-Y

Language Study

International Friendships

Cultural Discovery

Language Study

• Daily (weekday) formal language classes• Summer programs will complete 120 hours of language

study over 6-8 weeks; Academic Year programs will have at least 10 hours of language instruction per week

Discovering Foreign Cultures• Unique opportunity to be

immersed in the cultural landscape of the target language

• Exploration of a variety of cultural aspects, from eating traditional meals to observing traditional religious functions

• Visits to historical, national landmarks and cultural sites

• New understanding of the country through the language and from the perspective of its citizens

International Friendships• Most students will live with a host

family, though some programs use a dorm stay or combination thereof

• Host families provide the opportunity to enhance language learning and experience “real” daily life

• Living with a family helps form cross-cultural friendships and ties to the country after the program ends

• Community service is a feature of most NSLI-Y programs

Being a NSLI-Y alum• Become more competitive

for other language scholarships and university admissions

• Develop relationships with fellow participants and host country friends

• Enjoy numerous alumni benefits, including invitations to networking events

Components of NSLI-Y Application• Personal Information

– Contact information for you and your family– Passport information– Language Experience– International Experience

• Written Portion– Letter to your prospective host family and language instructors– Two Essays

• Additional Documents– Parent Statement– Teacher Recommendation– Copy of Official Transcript– Photos – Placement Information– Participant Agreement -Terms and Conditions

NSLI-Y Application Deadline

November 1, 2013 7:59 PM EST

Supplemental documentation is due December 6, 2013.

NSLI-Y Application TimelineApplicatio

n Process

• October to December• Online Application due in early November (Passport Info, Photos, EC activities, Essays)• Online Parent Support and Recommendations due early December• Transcript and Participant Agreement postmarked early December

Semi-

Finalist

• December to February• Notification for semi-finalists in December• Interviews scheduled in this period

Finalist

• March to April• Medical forms due early March• Final decisions made in April

Program Dates• Departure dates: vary by

program; In general:• Summer: mid- or late-

June• Academic Year: late-

August/ early-September• see website for more

details

Resources• Main NSLI-Y website: www.nsliforyouth.org• ExchangesConnect: http://connect.state.gov• State Department Resources:

http://exchanges.state.gov• Information and announcements can also be found on

NSLI-Y’s Facebook and Twitter pages

Any questions?

For further inquiries: nsliy@americancouncils.org

PHOTOS OF PROGRAM EXPERIENCEA year in Russia 2011-2012

Cheboksary

Столица Чувашской Республики – Чебоксары, где стоят известный музей пива и залив Волги.

Don’t forget about the interesting experience at the Dacha and in the Banya.

Russian Host Family

Gymnasium No. 1

New Year’s celebration with school children

During the year program vs. summer-length program

“Free time”

Cultural Excursions

Explore around town and sometimes visit another Russian city.

Kazan, Moscow, Petersburg, Velikii Novgorod, Lyantor, Surgut

Lyantor, Siberia

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Petersburg

Peterhof Palace

Got any Questions?