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 Russian stories from .

Abby dancing ballet.

Russian

Abby Serves as Interpreter for VSI Ballet Cohort​

Abby Zhang was inspired to learn Russian because of her love for Russian ballet. Her NSLI-Y experience helped her develop discipline, cultural awareness, and strong language skills, which she applied to her experience at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow.
Hindi Sanksrit School

Global

2024-2025 NSLI-Y Application is Now Open!

Applications for the NSLI-Y 2024-2025 summer and academic year programs are now open! Apply today!
Ashley standing in front of the icy Baltic Sea coast in Jurmala, Latvia

Russian

A Passport to Possibility

Ashley reflects on her NSLI-Y experience and how this set her on a remarkable journey of language, culture, and self.
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.
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.
Damien on Left

Russian

NSLI-Y Honors Black History Month | Alumni Spotlight: Damien Johnson

NSLI-Y is excited to honor Black History Month and recognize the achievements of Black Americans, by spotlighting the stories of our Black alumni. Read more to learn about Damien Johnson, an alumnus of the 2022 Summer Russian Program in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Isabella Baker poses in a field of sunflowers.

Russian

Alumni Spotlight: Isabella Baker Reflects on her Journey from NSLI-Y to Fulbright ​

NSLI-Y alumna Isabella Baker is an alumna of the 2016 Russian Summer Program in Chisinau, Moldova that has continued her Russian language study and engagement. She attended American University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs with a minor in Russian Language and Area Studies. Isabella has gained vast experiences through interning, both in the United States and abroad, and studying abroad. Follow along on her journey from NSLI-Y to Fulbright.