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 Chinese (Mandarin) stories from .

Natasha standing at the opening of a cave.

Chinese (Mandarin)

American Abroad Student of the Month: Natasha Harris

Natasha has been awarded the U.S. Department of State's December 2023 American Abroad Student of the Month! During her time in Taiwan, Natasha has embraced the NSLI-Y program goals and has shown a true commitment to her language learning.
Ann smiling.

Chinese (Mandarin)

Living with Host Siblings and Embracing New Bonds in Taiwan

Ann provides insight into what it's like living with a host family and how stepping out of your comfort zone can create some of the most meaningful experiences.
Freya wearing a hat.

Chinese (Mandarin)

Reflecting on NSLI-Y's Lasting Impact

Freya, an alum of the 2014 - 2015 NSLI-Y Chinese Program, reflects on how her time in Taiwan gave her a cultural understanding that helped her adapt and adjust at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
John sitting in front of the Great Wall of China

Chinese (Mandarin)

Alumnus John Rindone Reflects on NSLI-Y Experience and Schwarzman Scholarship

John Rindone is an alumnus of the 2015 NSLI-Y Chinese Program and an alumnus of the 2020-21 Schwarzman Scholars cohort. John reflects on how the language skills and personal experiences he obtained from his NSLI-Y experience laid the foundation for his future studies and career.
Corbin with his host family in Taiwan

Chinese (Mandarin)

NSLI-Y Honors National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month: Corbin

NSLI-Y Honors National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month. Corbin, a 2022-23 Chinese Academic Year alum, shares why he decided to participate in NSLI-Y and how his experience has benefitted his future career goals.
Daniel while on the NSLI-Y program standing on a bridge in front of a river.

Chinese (Mandarin)

Alumni Spotlight: Daniel Combines Love of Languages with Interest in Tech

Daniel, an alum of the 2015 Summer Mandarin, is a software engineer at Duolingo. Daniel shares how understanding other languages helps him be successful in his career.
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!
Erika visiting Taipei for the first time with her host family.

Chinese (Mandarin)

Opening Doors to Other Possibilities

Erika, a 2019 Chinese NSLI-Y alumna, shares how her NSLI-Y experience opened doors to future language learning opportunities and a return to Taiwan.
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.