National Security Language Initiative for Youth

The NSLI-Y program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)

My NSLI-Y Experience
Russian Year 2011-2012 Most memorable experience: First time at banya with my host family Interesting story with words: .

Why I personally think its awesome

Benefit of my study abroad experience:
Appreciating differences Understanding Russian Volunteer opportunities Friends!

NSLI-Y Program Overview

Goal is to foster understanding of different cultures and promote study of less common languages Academic year (8 to 11 months) or summer programs (6-8 weeks)
Languages: Arabic Chinese (Mandarin) Hindi Korean Persian (Tajik) Russian Turkish Scholarship covers: Domestic and international travel Tuition and related academic expenses Daily language classes Supporting cultural activities Room and board Health insurance abroad

Eligibility
U.S. citizen 15-18 years old at the start of the program
2.5 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent) Enrolled in high school at time of application Not an immediate family member of an employee of ECA Youth Programs Division or an administering organization Not a previous participant in an ECA, Department of State sponsored program outside the U.S., with the exception of a NSLI-Y Summer program. Previous language study is not a requirement

See website for more information (http://www.nsliforyouth.org/)

Key Components of NSLI-Y

International Friendships

Language Study

Daily (weekday) formal language classes Summer programs will complete 120 hours of language study over 6-8 weeks; Academic Year programs will have at least 10 hours of language instruction per week

Discovering Foreign Cultures

Unique opportunity to be immersed in the cultural landscape of the target language Exploration of a variety of cultural aspects, from eating traditional meals to observing traditional religious functions Visits to historical, national landmarks and cultural sites New understanding of the country through the language and from the perspective of its citizens

International Friendships
Most students will live with a host family, though some programs use a dorm stay or combination thereof Host families provide the opportunity to enhance language learning and experience real daily life Living with a family helps form crosscultural friendships and ties to the country after the program ends Community service is a feature of most NSLI-Y programs

Being a NSLI-Y alum

Become more competitive for other language scholarships and university admissions Develop relationships with fellow participants and host country friends Enjoy numerous alumni benefits, including invitations to networking events

Components of NSLI-Y Application

Personal Information
Contact information for you and your family Passport information Language Experience International Experience

Written Portion
Letter to your prospective host family and language instructors Two Essays

Additional Documents
Parent Statement Teacher Recommendation Copy of Official Transcript Photos Placement Information Participant Agreement -Terms and Conditions

NSLI-Y Application Deadline

Supplemental documentation is due December 6, 2013.

NSLI-Y Application Timeline

Application Process
October to December Online Application due in early November (Passport Info, Photos, EC activities, Essays) Online Parent Support and Recommendations due early December Transcript and Participant Agreement postmarked early December

Semi-Finalist

December to February Notification for semi-finalists in December Interviews scheduled in this period

Finalist

March to April Medical forms due early March Final decisions made in April

Program Dates
Departure dates: vary by program; In general: Summer: mid- or lateJune Academic Year: lateAugust/ early-September see website for more details

Resources
Main NSLI-Y website: www.nsliforyouth.org ExchangesConnect: http://connect.state.gov State Department Resources: http://exchanges.state.gov Information and announcements can also be found on NSLI-Ys Facebook and Twitter pages

Any questions?

For further inquiries: nsliy@americancouncils.org

A year in Russia 2011-2012

PHOTOS OF PROGRAM EXPERIENCE

Cheboksary

, .

Russian Host Family

Dont forget about the interesting experience at the Dacha and in the Banya.

Gymnasium No. 1

New Years celebration with school children

Free time

During the year program vs. summer-length program

Cultural Excursions

Explore around town and sometimes visit another Russian city.

Kazan, Moscow, Petersburg, Velikii Novgorod, Lyantor, Surgut

Lyantor, Siberia

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Petersburg

Peterhof Palace

Got any

Questions?