NSLI-Y Alumni Leadership and Public Service Workshop Reflection

My experience as an alumnus of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarship has provided countless opportunities that have profoundly shaped myself and my future. Through NSLI-Y, I have expanded my language skills beyond my imagination, and, most recently, I attended the NSLI-Y Alumni Leadership & Public Service Workshop in Washington, D.C. Held this past October, the workshop gathered 70 alumni whose diverse backgrounds reflected the breadth of the NSLI-Y program: spanning multiple languages, countries, and program years, with each NSLI-Y alumni contributing unique perspectives on how international experiences have influenced their current pursuits. I am so grateful to have reconnected with familiar faces from my 2020 & 2021 NSLI-Y VSI programs, and the new relationships formed over these two days were incredibly enriching and rewarding. At the same time, the workshop also encouraged me to critically reflect on how my own NSLI-Y experiences can continue to fuel my role as a citizen diplomat in the public sphere.

Throughout the first day, it was a gift to listen to fellow alumni share stories of how they continue to apply their NSLI-Y languages, pursue further critical language studies or research, and showcase leadership within their respective fields. Our first conversation convened with the overarching question, “What is your call to serve?” Hearing from other alumni, many just a few years older than myself, about how they plan to use their linguistic and cultural understandings to address global issues — ranging from refugee aid to protecting fishers and even, like myself, pursuing global health — was deeply inspiring. These conversations also reinforced the versatility of foreign language study and its ability to complement a wide array of fields, as well as set one up to be a distinguished leader.

Following these group reflections, we heard from nonprofits dedicated to preparing the next generation of public servants, which provided me with crucial resources for developing a career in the federal civil service. As a first-generation college student, such guidance is invaluable, especially since I come from a limited understanding of the government job application process. By attending this workshop, I have a much firmer grasp of the process, including using tools like the Federal Internship Finder and USAJobs, and even building a federal resume. As a senior in college, receiving this information came at the perfect time — allowing me to browse the myriad of ways I can connect my interests in public health and citizen diplomacy, as well as opening doors to new pathways. I hope to further share these resources with other NSLI-Y alumni and students in my community.

Beyond NSLI-Y alumni, the panel hosted at American Councils brought in the perspectives of three young federal employees, who shared firsthand experiences about applying to and working in public sector roles. Their stories made the process seem more accessible, and it was inspiring to see a group of distinguished professionals who, like myself, are dedicated to creating international connections to tackle contemporary challenges. In many ways, the employees reflected our own cohort — spanning various interests and departments, backgrounds and identities, and languages and regions — underscoring the vast potential that comes with having international experience and understanding.

These conversations also promoted serious reflection on my experiences and career goals, culminating in the opportunity to discuss the impact of NSLI-Y with the office of my district representative on Capitol Hill. Coming from my background, representing the NSLI-Y scholarship for my state and my district felt surreal. This meeting was extremely rewarding and memorable, where I shared my favorite memories from abroad and emphasized the lifelong relationships I’ve maintained with my classmates, teachers, and host family, all thanks to NSLI-Y. Most importantly, I expressed how learning Mandarin has expanded my worldview beyond the Las Vegas Valley and empowered me to approach solving local and global challenges with greater confidence. I urged the office staff to promote international education opportunities to high school students in Las Vegas and Nevada, knowing how these valuable experiences prepare future leaders as the city continues to globalize.

Leaving D.C., I know my journey in public service is only beginning. Armed with the insights from the workshop, I am excited to continue my work as a citizen diplomat, an advocate for global health policy, and an activist for language learning and social causes. Bound by our shared love for language learning, international experiences, and citizen diplomacy, I know the connections I made with the other alumni will last a lifetime. This is one of the greatest beauties of being a part of the NSLI-Y alumni network — being able to create a found family that supports one another no matter where we are in the world.