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 .

Isabella Turilli poses in fall foliage.

Korean

Alumni Spotlight: Isabella Turilli Named Rhodes Scholar

NSLI-Y Korean Alumna Isabella Turilli was recently awarded the Rhodes Scholarship. The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and most competitive international scholarship and is awarded to approximately 30 individuals annually. The scholarship selects promising young people from around the world who demonstrate integrity, leadership, character, intellect and a commitment to service to study at the University of Oxford.​
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.
From left to right, NSLI-Y alumnae Kristie Moore, Brooklyn Burgess, and Kelly Huang pose in front of large group of CLAPS students

Global

NSLI-Y Alumni Receive Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund for Middle School Program

NSLI-Y alumnae Brooklyn (Hindi Summer 2020 and 2021), Kelly (Korean Summer 2021), Kristie (Russian Summer 2019), and Sierra (Russian Summer 2019) have received the 2022 Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund award to create Critical Language and Pronunciation for Students (CLAPS), an introductory critical language program for middle school students.
Vanessa Rogers-Wright Headshot

Korean

Alumni Spotlight: How NSLI-Y Impacted Vanessa Rogers-Wright 

NSLI-Y Korean 2017 alumna, Vanessa Rogers-Wright reflects on her language learning journey and the impact the NSLI-Y program has had on her professional and academic pursuits.
A title card for the NSLI-Y Interactive Virtual Event: Celebrating Holidays with NSLI-Y featuring all the alumni panelists

Global

NSLI-Y Interactive Virtual Event - Celebrating Holidays with NSLI-Y

On Wednesday, December 21st at 7:00 PM EST, NSLI-Y Interactive will host our final virtual event of 2022: "Celebrating Holidays with NSLI-Y". Summer and Academic Year alumni from a variety of NSLI-Y programs will share about the holidays they celebrated on program and what they learned from them.
Alumni panelists for the NSLI-Y Interactive Virtual Event

Global

NSLI-Y Interactive Virtual Event - Host Family Connections on the NSLI-Y Program

On Thursday, November 17th at 7:00 PM Eastern Time, NSLI-Y Interactive will host our second virtual event of the academic year: "Host Family Connections on the NSLI-Y Program" featuring NSLI-Y Russian and Persian program alumni.
Liam with other students in India

Global

Anecdotes Abroad: Liam and Smythe Share Stories from India and Indonesia

NSLI-Y alumni Liam and Smythe share short stories from their time abroad with the NSLI-Y program in India and Indonesia, respectively.
A Photo of Samuel O'Brien

Indonesian

Alumni Spotlight: Sam O'Brien Stays Connected to Indonesia

Sam O'Brien is an alumnus of the 2018 Indonesian Summer program in Jakarta, Indonesia. While Sam O’Brien’s chose to apply for the NSLI-Y Indonesian Summer program in 2018 on a whim, his decision impacted his academic and professional goals far more than he could have anticipated as he submitted his application...
Rachel with friends in Morocco

Global

NSLI-Y Parent & Alumni Testimonials: Summer 2022 & Academic Year 2021-2022

While some parents are excited for their child to study abroad, others may be nervous, particularly given the pandemic and geopolitical events worldwide. After many NSLI-Y overseas programs resumed in 2022, NSLI-Y was fortunate to receive several testimonials from parents and alumni addressing their experience.