13 Oct 2022 Language + Cultural Study Options for High School Students
Students interested in applying their STEM skills in a global setting can deepen their language skills and cultural understanding through programs both at home and abroad. Check out these options from the U.S. Department of State:
The Virtual National Security Language Initiative for Youth (Virtual NSLI-Y) application is now available! Virtual NSLI-Y is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program that provides a BEGINNER-level foreign language and culture experience.
Eligible U.S. high school students can apply to Virtual NSLI-Y Winter 2023 to study Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Russian, or Turkish. Selected finalists will receive a merit scholarship to study the target language and associated culture(s) in live, online classes with peers from across the U.S. for 10 weeks in January – March 2023! Application deadline is October 20. Participation in a Virtual NSLI-Y program does not affect eligibility for the overseas 2023-24 program.
The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) is also a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program that provides overseas language study opportunities for high school language learners of ALL LEVELS.
Eligible U.S. high school students can apply to NSLI-Y 2023-24 to study Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, or Turkish. Selected finalists will receive a merit scholarship to study the target language in a host country in Summer 2023 or Academic Year 2023-24. Application deadline is November 3.
Questions? Email nsliy@americancouncils.org or call 202-833-7522. Eligibility guidelines, helpful FAQs, and links to the applications are available on the website. A playlist of helpful videos is also available.
Additional U.S. Department of State study abroad scholarship opportunities for U.S. high school students include:
YES Abroad offers participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in the life of one of 14 countries for an academic year (10 months). The YES Program focuses on countries with significant Muslim populations. Participants develop critical global leadership skills, promote mutual understanding, and form lasting ties in their host communities by living with a host family and attending local high school. (Application deadline: December 7, 2022)
FLEX Abroad Like YES Abroad, participants spend an academic year (10 months) living with a host family, attending a local high school, and forming lasting relationships within their host community. Host countries include Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Poland. (Application deadline: December 7, 2022).
All of these programs seek applicants who represent the diversity of the United States. Students of all racial, ethnic, religious, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
