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 .

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.
Patrick is standing in the kitchen holding a box of falafel mix

Arabic

Virtual NSLI-Y Reflection

Patrick, an alumnus of the 2023 Virtual NSLI-Y program, reflects on his experience in the program, the impact of his cohort, and his future goals.
Four students are creating ink prints.

Chinese (Mandarin)

From Xi'an to DC: Being Open to the Unexpected

William, an alum of the 2016 NSLI-Y Chinese (Mandarin) Summer Program, shares how an unexpected injury taught him to be open and adaptable. Attending NSLI-Y's Alumni Leadership Workshop reminded him how valuable exchange and language learning can be for improving intangible skills.
Phillip standing in front of the White House

Chinese (Mandarin)

NSLI-Y Honors Asian American and Pacific Islander Month | Alumni Spotlight: Phillip

NSLI-Y is excited to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) month and recognize the stories of AAPI Alumni.
Sonal in India with her host family in the mountains.

Hindi

NSLI-Y Honors Asian American and Pacific Islander Month | Alumni Spotlight: Sonal Lal

NSLI-Y is excited to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) month and recognize the stories of AAPI Alumni. Sonal shares how her experience with the NSLI-Y program led to embracing her identity as an Indo-Fijian, first-generational U.S. American.
Fatma sits at a cafe

Arabic

NSLI-Y Honors Arab American Heritage Month | Alumni Spotlight: Fatma

NSLI-Y is excited to honor Arab American Heritage Month and recognize the achievements of Arab Americans, spotlighting the stories of our Arab American alumni.
Here Clare is in front of Moroccan zellige tile fountains during her 2018 NSLI-Y experience.

Arabic

Exploring Personal Development Through Language Learning

Clare, an alumna of the 2018 NSLI-Y Arabic Summer program from Rock Island, Illinois, shares how her participation in the NSLI-Y program affected both her professional development and personal growth.
Emily poses while seated in front of a Lotte World Tour Seoul Sky sign.

Korean

A Summer Away From Home

Emily, an alumna of the 2021 NSLI-Y Korean Summer program in Seoul, South Korea from Atlanta, Georgia, reflects on participating in NSLI-Y abroad during the pandemic and building bonds with her host family and cohort members.