About:
The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, provides merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students and recent high school graduates to learn less commonly taught languages in summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs.
NSLI-Y is part of a U.S. government initiative that prepares American citizens to be leaders in a global world. Now more than ever, it is important that Americans have the necessary linguistic skills and cultural knowledge to promote international dialogue and support American engagement abroad. NSLI-Y aims to provide opportunities to American youth that will spark a lifetime interest in language learning.
Eligibility:
- U.S. citizen
- Grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent
- 15-18 years of age at start of program (birthdate between July 10, 1997 and June 10, 2001 for summer programs; birthdate between September 30, 1997 and June 30, 2001 for academic year programs)
- Enrolled in high school (including home school) at the time of application
- Not an immediate family member of an employee of the U.S. Department of State who works in the Youth Programs Division of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs or an employee at a NSLI-Y administering organization whose duties involve the NSLI-Y program
Previous language study is not a requirement. Students of all levels of language ability are welcome to apply. However, please note that the majority of NSLI-Y participants are at novice or intermediate levels at the start of the program.
The NSLI-Y program seeks applicants who represent the diversity of the United States. Students of all racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply, as are students with disabilities.
NSLI-Y is a prestigious and selective overseas immersion experience for American youth. The goal of NSLI-Y is to promote critical language learning among American youth and to spark a lifetime of interest in language learning. NSLI-Y aims to guide students toward using language in their university and professional careers and to dedicate themselves to continued language learning far beyond their time on the program.
NSLI-Y scholars participate in intensive language courses on both summer and academic year programs. Summer programs include a minimum of 120 hours of formal classroom instruction. Academic year programs include at least ten hours per week of formal classroom instruction, and most programs include additional academic courses and research projects. All participants should expect to have homework and take exams during the course of the program. While classes are taught by trained and experienced teachers, students should be prepared to experience teaching methods that may differ from what they are used to in U.S. classrooms. These intensive language courses are complemented by cultural immersion activities, including homestays, excursions, and local community service projects.
NSLI-Y is focused on language acquisition, not travel or sightseeing; there is no guarantee participants will see any or all of the major historical sites in the host country. NSLI-Y is a very structured program and students are expected to participate in all program activities. Participants should not expect to travel independently in the host country; in most cases, it will not be permitted.
Successful NSLI-Y participants dedicate themselves to language acquisition through both formal and informal learning opportunities. Successful participants strive to succeed both academically, by improving their language skills, and culturally, by gaining an understanding and appreciation for a new way of life. Participants should expect to immerse themselves in the language and cultural experience; they should not expect to complete academic work for their U.S. school while abroad. Participants should also be prepared to demonstrate open-mindedness, flexibility, and initiative in negotiating the cross-cultural environment, as well as to navigate the challenges inherent to any cross-cultural experience, including conditions and circumstances significantly different from those in the U.S.
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