On Thursday, November 16, 2023, NSLI-Y Interactive hosted the virtual event "Learning Outside the Classroom" for International Education Week. A panel of NSLI-Y alumni shared their NSLI-Y experiences and what they learned outside the classroom while on program. This panel included alumni from four different program languages and from summer and academic year programs. The panelists shared how they practiced their language skills outside the classroom and the many other skills they gained by participating in the program.
Eric, Chinese (Mandarin)
Eric is an alumnus of the 2020-2021 NSLI-Y Mandarin Year program. He is currently a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Affairs with Chinese and East Asian Studies minors. In his free time, she enjoys cooking, fishing, and playing soccer. In the future, he hopes to work in diplomacy and policy development, focusing on East Asia.
Marissa, Turkish
Marissa Payne is an alumnus of the 2023 NSLI-Y Turkish Summer program in Ankara. She is currently a senior in high school and hopes to pursue a bachelor's degree in marine science or biochemistry. She is also applying for a year-long exchange with NSLI-Y to continue her language learning. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing the saxophone, and swimming at her local lake. In the future, she hopes to work in the field of oceanography.
Jada, Korean
Jada is an alumnus of the 2023 NSLI-Y Korean Summer program in Seoul, South Korea. She is currently a senior in high school and applying to college as a prospective International Relations major. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and listening to music. In the future, she hopes to work as a Foreign Service Officer.
Alex, Indonesian
Alex is an alumnus of the 2023 NSLI-Y Indonesian Summer program. He is currently a MA high school junior, who skis and plays soccer, tennis, guitar, violin, and a little piano. He loves languages, photography, foreign cultures, and food as well as being with globally-minded people, solving problems, fixing things, and sharing adventures.
Cara, Indonesian
Cara is an alumnus of the 2018 NSLI-Y Indonesian Summer program in Jakarta. She studied computer science at the University of Oxford and graduated with a bachelor’s in 2022, before moving back to California to work as a software engineer in networking. Her hobbies include traveling, practicing aerial silks, reading, and playing volleyball. She also continues to volunteer with AFS, the implementing organization for her NSLI-Y program.