Stories

The NSLI-Y program languages include Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Indonesian, Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian and Turkish. Listed below are all multimedia stories written, and shared by NSLI-Y students, alumni, partners, and supporters. These stories include all NSLI-Y program languages and are ordered chronologically from the most recent post.

Alumni and current students, join the conversation by submitting your own story.

Click on a language below to see stories and media related to a specific NSLI-Y program language:

Displaying stories from 2023.

Lara speaking at the U.S. Institute of Peace

Arabic

Alumni Spotlight - Lara Participates in the U.S. Senate Youth Program

Lara is an alumna of the 2021 Virtual NSLI-Y Arabic Program and the 2022 NSLI-Y Arabic Program. Lara recently participated in the U.S. Senate Youth Program and shares how her NSLI-Y journey helped lead to this experience.
Adenike with her host sister and Alejandra in front of her language school.

Global

Alumni Spotlight - NSLI-Y Highlights Long-Term Language Usage and Impact

NSLI-Y is proud to showcase two alumni who have been studying and using their NSLI-Y target languages for over a decade. Such long-term engagement and professional use demonstrate the continued impact of NSLI-Y long after the exchange experience is complete.
Eshaan headshot photo

Arabic

Exploring the Impact of the Virtual NSLI-Y Experience

Eshaan, a Winter 23 Virtual NSLI-Y Arabic alumnus hailing from Houston, TX, shares what brought him to the Virtual NSLI-Y Program and the impact it has had on his future aspirations.
Samantha stands on a road in the forest.

Russian

Выходные на даче — Weekends at Dacha

Samantha, an alumna of the 2022 Russian Summer Program from Marlborough, Massachusetts, shares how trips to the beach were an integral part of her NSLI-Y experience and helped to improve her language skills.
Kennedy with a plate of food in front of her.

Arabic

Alumni Spotlight: Kennedy Reflects on Community Service

Kennedy, an alumna of the 2020 Arabic NSLI-Y Progam, from Atlanta, Georgia shares how she started her own non-profit and led to her interest in learning the Arabic language.
Natasha in front of a lake and mountains

Chinese (Mandarin)

If My NSLI-Y Experience in Taiwan Had a Trailer…

Natasha shares her experience in Taiwan and made a video trailer that summarizes her experiences.
The Great Gatchina palace from the front.

Russian

A Summer in Russia

Kristen, an alumna of the 2014 NSLI-Y Russian Summer Program, shares how she came to realize she was representing the United States and the impact language can have in bringing people together.
Student and host sister holding hands while wearing cheese hat.

Russian

Cheese Diplomacy

Julia, an alumna of the NSLI-Y Russian Summer program, shares how she was able to bond and connect with her host family through a love of cheese.
Photo of Anna

Russian

Driven by Curiosity

Anna shares how they pursued Virtual NSLI-Y as a way to explore their own personal interests and curiosity. Participating in the program has brought Anna one step closer to their future goals.