Representatives

How did you learn about NSLI-Y?
A Virtual NSLI-Y alumna told me about her amazing experience. After seeing the social media posts of students all over the world, I knew I couldn’t forgo this opportunity and applied—turned out to be one of the best decisions ever!

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
After a future career as a diplomat, I want to go into academia, researching musical diplomacy in particular. I’ve been a musician for most of my life and after NSLI-Y, I found a way to combine my passions. One day, I hope to be a professor!

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
Right now, I’m looking forward to becoming a Foreign Service Officer. International cooperation is more important than ever to solve pressing global issues like climate change, and I hope to develop my cultural flexibility to foster understanding and collaboration for the State Department and the future of our world.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
Ever since going to South Korea, my worldview has been expanded. There’s a huge, diverse world out there, waiting to be explored, and each culture, language, and identity is so valuable. As the world grows more interconnected, I continue practicing the five languages I speak, enjoying the beauty and uniqueness of each one.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
Food is a close second, but I feel like South Korea is the perfect mix of nature and city. I enjoyed walks in the Seoul Forest and breathing in the briny Han River air. Since returning from NSLI-Y, I’ve been finding ways to connect with and appreciate nature amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City life.

Please share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience.
One of the cultural activities in Seoul was samulnori, or traditional Korean drumming. Our instructor taught strictly in Korean, so we had to learn a new skill but also through a new medium. As we mirrored our instructor, the beats became more in sync, and our drums began blending in. Music connected us all despite the language barrier, and at our closing ceremony, our instructor beamed as we rocked back and forth hitting our samulnori drums.

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
I said “진짜”  (jinjja) countless times in South Korea. It translates to “really,” but means “really?,  “really!”, and “really!?”. It’s a flavorful filler word, more for showing emotion than meaning—but isn’t language really just about communicating emotion?

Share one interesting factoid about yourself, your personal background, or your language learning.
My favorite quote is Nelson Mandela’s, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” He couldn’t be more right—I find the purest forms of beauty when speaking with others in their native tongue. By putting in the effort to learn their language, you get to pay your respects to their culture.

How did you learn about NSLI-Y?
My French professor and mentor in high school recommended that I apply to the program when I became her teaching assistant in Fall 2021.

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?
Since the beginning of high school, I have had a fairly amateur (now scholarly) interest in religion, especially in South Asia, so I thought studying Hindi would be a good window into the extremely religiously diverse Indian subcontinent.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
I am completing a dual-degree program at UNC Chapel Hill, getting a B.A. in Global Studies and South Asian Studies. I am also completing a minor in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. I am hoping this will be good preparation for future careers in the Foreign Service and in International Affairs and be a starting point for future schooling if I decide to further my education.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
As I am interested in the Foreign Service (and working in another culture in general), I expect my experience with Hindi and Indian cultures will allow me to fully immerse myself in another country not only in my work life but also in my personal life, making me a more effective diplomat and a more aware person in general.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
I never expected to be pursuing Asian Studies, or humanities at all, until I started my NSLI-Y experience. Taking part in the Hindi program was also an extreme catalyst for me, as there is a large population of Indians, Indian-Americans, and other South Asians where I attend University, so the Hindi NSLI-Y program was a catalyst to make a network of friends and take part in a variety of activities I might not have otherwise. My NSLI-Y program has even encouraged me to pursue some of my “background hobbies” to a fuller extent. For example, my interest in Indian dance like Bhangra sparked a broader interest in dancing.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?
While I gained plenty of language skills and other skills related to navigating life in Delhi, what surprised me the most was how much I opened up emotionally over the six weeks I spent in India. Having a host family that cared for me so much and took me in as a member of their family gave me a new perspective on relationships that I think was lacking from my life. I also learned how to value other people’s experiences.  I found myself maturing under the pressure of navigating a variety of unfamiliar interactions with many new kinds of people.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
The homestay and ability to go to school with peers my age from the host culture; I experienced daily life, religion, school humor and games, basically everything you could want from life in your own country in a new way.

Please share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience.
One thing I was known for on our program was my frisbees. I had an intense desire to connect with local students and so I started playing games in the schoolyard with them and decided that I wanted to introduce them to something new. I remembered IM Ultimate Frisbee being fun in high school, so I picked up two frisbees and started bringing them to school. It was a popular activity that helped me make a lot of friends. At the end of the year, I kept one of the frisbees with signatures from all the students I played with and gave the other to one of my closest friends signed with my appreciation. I like to keep my frisbee above my desk in college and look at it from time to time when I’m missing everyone.

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
“Paagal ho gya ho kya?” which means, “Have you gone mad?/Are you a madman?”

It’s a really common phrase in everyday conversation and in Bollywood films which usually gets a chuckle out of everyone.

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?
I had learned a lot about Chinese history and culture in school and wanted to learn a new language that would not only be useful in my future educational and professional paths but would challenge me and allow opportunities to be totally immersed in a rich and unique culture.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
After completing my degree, I hope to pursue a career focused on international business or within the national security sector focusing on diplomacy and economic security.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
I plan to use my language skills in completing a minor in Chinese as well as finding a path that allows me to use my Chinese skills within my professional field.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
Participation in NSLI-Y exposed me to a wide variety of professional fields and international issues that helped to solidify my educational and career path. Additionally, the cultural exposure that I gained through NSLI-Y has allowed me to apply the skills that I have learned in professional settings.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?
One of the most important skills I learned during my NSLI-Y experience was how to best navigate situations while under pressure. Oftentimes, I would be put in situations that challenged my comfort zone and I had to rely upon my Mandarin skills to navigate the conversations or experiences. This skill has been incredibly useful as it’s taught me how to be flexible as well as understand different ways to approach challenging situations and communicate with people with different backgrounds and cultures.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
My favorite part about studying in Taiwan was the accessibility to nature, whether that be mountains or the oceans in proximity of a major city, as well as the diversity of natural areas throughout the country. I also really enjoyed the food culture within Taiwan and the importance that food holds within Taiwanese culture from night markets to traditional Lunar New Year foods.

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
Before my NSLI-Y experience in Taiwan, I didn’t know much about the traditions behind the Lunar New Year celebration and festivities. Being with my host family over the entirety of the Lunar New Year gave me a unique firsthand perspective to learn about the different customs, traditions, and histories of my host family.

Please share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience.
While studying in Taiwan, I had the unique opportunity to hike Taiwan’s tallest mountain, Yushan, with my host family. It was a two-day hike alongside locals and on the last day we hiked to the summit to catch the sunrise from the tallest point in Northern Asia.

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
My favorite phrase in Mandarin is 加油 which literally translates to “add oil”.  But it is really used within Taiwan as a word of encouragement or a way to say “you got this” or “keep going”!

Share one interesting factoid about yourself, your personal background, or your language learning.
One interesting fact about me is that I have rock climbed competitively for the past four years!

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?  
I chose to study Russian largely because of my passion for ballet, which is heavily interconnected with Russian culture. I already had frequent exposure to Russian language and culture and decided that Russian-speaking regions were something I wanted to learn more about. As I began to research the region, I became interested in the multitude of Russian-speaking cultures outside of Russia and especially wanted to learn about aspects of the Russian-speaking world that are less recognized and studied.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
After graduating high school, I plan to study international relations and Slavic languages and literature at Stanford University and hope to participate in more intensive language learning programs such as the Critical Language Scholarship to continue my study of Russian. I also would like to begin learning additional languages like German and Arabic. In terms of my career, I hope to work in international law or as a language analyst in intelligence.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
My NSLI-Y program experience solidified my passion for language learning and travel and inspired me to continue pursuing the Russian language to fluency. My experience in Kyrgyzstan also sparked my interest in the cultures of Russian-speaking regions outside of Russia, which I hope to study further in college.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?  
Aside from greatly improving my language skills, I gained useful experience navigating a foreign country relatively independently. Since I will soon be moving across the country for college, I think it’s useful to know how to navigate a new city and a new public transportation system and be able to spend longer periods of time away from my family. Additionally, as someone who hopes to travel more in the future, this experience reinforced good habits for traveling that will be useful to me in the future.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
My favorite part about studying in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan was the public transportation system. As I live in an area with neither a robust nor convenient public transportation system, I was amazed by the fact that I could go anywhere in the city at any time of day without having to use a car. Personally, I found navigating the intricate network of trolleybuses and marshrutkas (small public transportation vans) to be a unique challenge that allowed me to immerse myself in ordinary aspects of the local culture and practice my language skills. I felt that taking public transportation was one of the simplest yet most effective ways to experience the city like a local would.

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
Going into my NSLI-Y program I, like many Americans, had little knowledge of Kyrgyzstan. I had heard of it, but I wasn’t familiar with its culture, history, or geography. Almost everything that I saw or heard after arriving was new or unexpected. One of the first things that I realized was that tea is a very popular drink in Kyrgyzstan. Even though it was frequently over 100 degrees outside, my host family gave me several cups of hot tea every day. One interesting custom relating to tea in Kyrgyz culture was that the more you respect someone, the less tea you will pour for the person. This is because by pouring less tea, you are showing that you are willing to get up often to refill their cup.

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
My favorite phrase in Russian is “осторожно” (a-sta-rOzh-na), which means “carefully” or “be careful”. I like this word because my language partner used it frequently, so it reminds me of the time we spent together in Bishkek. My language partner would most often use this word to tell me to watch out for other people when we were navigating the crowds at different bazaars or riding packed marshrutkas together. I think it’s a nice reminder of our time together and how she was always looking out for me.

Share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience.
One of my favorite moments from my NSLI-Y program was our weekend trip to Issyk-Kul Lake and the surrounding mountains and towns. This trip was one of the two times when I got to experience Kyrgyzstan outside of Bishkek. My favorite part of the trip was staying in a yurt camp and sleeping in a yurt. Yurts are an integral part of Kyrgyz culture; the design of the Kyrgyz flag was even inspired by the structure of a yurt. Staying in a yurt was such a unique experience that exposed me to an important part of Kyrgyz history and culture.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
After obtaining a Bachelor’s in Government and Economics, I plan to attend law school. I’d like to pursue a diplomatic, business, legal, or political career through which I can cultivate intercultural empathy, innovation, and collaboration across the globe.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
I look forward to taking numerous Korean language, culture, history, and politics classes throughout college. I also plan to intern and/or study abroad in South Korea. Ultimately, I hope to pursue a career in diplomacy, business, law, or policy in which I use my linguistic and cultural skills to bridge international divides and drive cross-cultural collaboration on pressing global issues.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
Before NSLI-Y, I’d never even talked to another person in Korean. By the time I returned home, I’d had dozens of illuminating, hours-long conversations in Korean with my host family. The continuous growth in my language abilities, passion for Korean, and self-actualization throughout NSLI-Y all reaffirmed to me that I wanted to spend my academic and professional career engaging with international relations and cultures.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
My host family was my favorite part about studying abroad. From our hours-long conversations during nighttime walks along the Han River, to the incredible dinners my host mom prepared every evening, to the children’s books I read with my host brother, my host family brought me immense joy and comfort. The greatest, most transformative leaps I made in both my language abilities and my understanding of the world all stemmed from experiences with my host family. I’m endlessly grateful and fortunate to have lived with such amazing, welcoming people.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?  
In addition to Korean language skills and cultural knowledge, I learned how to be confident in my speaking and self-presentation, how to best manage my time independently, and how to navigate public transportation, amongst many other skills!

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
I hadn’t realized how thoroughly integrated environmentalism was into Korean daily life until I lived in Seoul. Navigating the specific recycling rules and dearth of public trash cans (a system set in place to encourage people to stay financially accountable for the waste they produce), as well as having discussions with my host family about Korean views on the environment, were eye-opening experiences for me.

Please share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience. 
For our program closing ceremony, I wrote and delivered a speech in Korean to all our NSLI-Y supporters, teachers, and cohort members. As short and simple as my speech may have been, it was incredibly fulfilling to realize how much my language abilities had grown: I’d gone from introducing myself to my host family as “17 days old” to being selected by my teacher to create an original, reflective speech for all the amazing people who shaped my NSLI-Y experience.

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
추억 translates to “memory” in English, but it has a positive nuance that I find quite poetic, especially considering how differently we carry happy versus negative memories.

Share one interesting factoid about yourself, your personal background, or your language learning.
My Duolingo streak is over 1,300 days long!

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?
I applied to NSLI-Y shortly after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I wanted to learn about geopolitics and culture in Eastern Europe, a part of the world that I wasn’t taught much about in American schools. Learning Russian would give me the ability to understand that part of the world through conversations with locals and firsthand experiences.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
I intend on studying International Relations with a concentration in Eastern European Studies in college. I’d love to apply those skills by assisting Ukrainian refugees and advising on the creation of culturally-conscious post-war policies in the future!

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
I’ll stay in touch with the peers and teachers I got to know. I’ll continue studying Russian in college and using it through community service and my career, too. Perhaps, I could be a part of U.S.–Russian policy and business negotiations in the future! I plan on using my cultural skills wherever I go. The intercultural communication and understanding skills as well as the problem-solving I developed through NSLI-Y will assist me in any career and class that I go into.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
NSLI-Y has helped me realize my desire to be a cultural ambassador in the future. It has also encouraged me to concentrate my studies on the post-Soviet world, an area that I hadn’t considered before my NSLI-Y participation.

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
I had no idea how pervasive American cultural influences and the English language were in the Russian language and culture. A Russian peer was active on Instagram and loved reading The Catcher in the Rye in school.

Please share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience.
I made blini (Russian pancakes) for a culture class assignment. It turns out that the recipe was intended to make eight pancakes, which is way more than I could eat that day. So, I shared my blini with my family, and they loved sharing a little bit of my cross-cultural experience at home, too!

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?
I was interested in studying Korean because I watched a documentary on the history of Hangul and was fascinated by the thought placed behind the design of the writing system.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
My professional goals are to work in the Foreign Service as a Foreign Service Officer.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
I plan to use my Korean language and cultural knowledge when meeting and interacting with Korean members of my community. I also plan to use the cultural knowledge I gained to help me adapt to the places I travel in my future careers.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
My favorite part about studying in Korea was the people I met. My host family was very sweet and although I only spent a short period of time with them, they were very welcoming and made me lots of food.

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
I wasn’t prepared for how crowded the train stations became during rush hour. Where I’m from in Georgia, public transportation is rarely used so it was definitely a culture shock to squeeze onto the train with everyone else.

Please share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience.
My favorite highlight of my NSLI-Y experience was volunteering at a Korean daycare. We taught Korean students different American games and English phrases. It was a lot of fun seeing them play the games, and at the end of our time together, they performed a K-pop dance number as a thank you.

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?
As someone who hopes to pursue a career in cybersecurity or threat intelligence, considering the Korean Peninsula’s political significance and South Korea’s role as a growing leader in technology, I was motivated to understand the cultural and linguistic roots that fuel the country’s innovation.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
While I am still considering many different career paths, I am particularly passionate about pursuing opportunities in the intersection between geopolitics and cybersecurity.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
Given that Dallas is home to Texas’ largest Korean American population, my Korean skills will be useful to get more involved in local cultural events. Due to the collaborative nature of cybersecurity projects, the ability to work with international teams and possess strong multilingual abilities is important.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
Apart from the very vague idea that I knew I wanted to pursue a career in technology, I did not have a specific career goal prior to NSLI-Y. The program showed me that Korean and multicultural understanding have an important role to play even in STEM. Because of NSLI-Y, I have made lifelong connections and learned valuable lessons that I will cherish forever.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?
The most obvious one is Korean! The progress I made linguistically is one that extends beyond my OPI score – from riddles to tongue twisters to colloquial phrases. Additionally, time management was important during the program. Since I lived so far away from the school, juggling excursions, sightseeing, homework, and classes were critical to ensuring my success and comfort.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
The food! As a vegetarian, I was a bit skeptical about what my diet would look like but I found numerous adapted recipes, desserts, and baked goods that exceeded my expectations. Every day in Korea was an experience but visiting the DMZ, trying different vegan restaurants, conversing with locals, and late-night walks with my host family around the Ilsan Lake Park are particularly memorable.

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
While I expected Korea to be technologically advanced, it surprised me that almost every aspect of daily life was automated, from kiosks at restaurants to robots at the airport and coffee stores. Another thing that surprised me was how pedestrian-friendly and convenient the city was.

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
따뜻하게 means ‘warmly’ – used to describe both people and food. Something about the way it’s pronounced (ttatteuttage) makes you feel warm and fuzzy too!

Share one interesting factoid about yourself, your personal background, or your language learning.
I have a YouTube channel featuring my time in Korea! Subscribe to @cheerssravs for updates on my work as a NSLI-Y Alumni Representative.

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?
Interestingly, I didn’t intend on actually studying Korean. I only wanted to learn the hangul alphabet after hearing that it was the easiest alphabet to learn. It wasn’t until I started learning about North Korea that I wanted to seriously study Korean to use it in my future career.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
I am currently a student at the University of Florida double majoring in Political Science and Computer Science. I hope to work in the intersection of China, South Korea, North Korea, and U.S. relations as either a Foreign Service Officer or in the CIA.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
I plan to use my Korean language and cultural skills in both my professional and personal life. I would love to work in South Korea or do work that involves the country. Even now, I continue to use my language skills to keep in contact with my host family and host school friends, as well as make new connections with the international students at my university.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
I hadn’t thought of working abroad before participating in NSLI-Y. But after proving to myself that I could learn a foreign language and thrive in another country, I solidified my interest in an international career.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?
The biggest skills I gained were linguistic and cultural understanding. I started my NSLI-Y journey struggling to form a basic sentence and only knowing about North Korea and BTS; by the end of it, I could easily hold conversations with anyone and have a much deeper understanding of South Korea. In addition, I learned to adapt to new situations, be more independent, and find joy in seemingly insignificant moments.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
My favorite part was the food and karaoke (noraebang). I miss going to lunch at new restaurants everyday with my cohort members and then singing our hearts out for 20 minutes before rushing to class. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the public transportation options in South Korea. The subway was very efficient and accessible; but sometimes I would bike along the Han River to class instead.

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
My favorite word is 먹다 (meok-da), or “to eat”. It seems simple enough, but the additional applications of the word in Korean highlight how languages reflect different ways to see the world. You can say “물 먹어” (“Eat water”) because of how water is seen as substance. I would often yell “4장 먹어!” (“Eat 4 cards!”) while playing Uno with my host siblings. Or, when you decide to do something, you can “eat your heart” (마음을 먹다).

Share one interesting factoid about yourself, your personal background, or your language learning.
I vlogged every day of my Seoul summer 2021 program and have some videos from AY 2022-2023 on my YouTube channel under the name “Journey of a Li”.

How did you learn about NSLI-Y?
I learned about the NSLI-Y program while searching for Mandarin language programs for high schoolers, as I wanted to participate in a program to enhance and develop my Mandarin proficiency. After further research, I decided to apply to the Virtual NSLI-Y Hindi program; I felt that this would be an amazing opportunity for me to get to explore my Indian heritage. During the online program, I felt that the NSLI-Y program really made me excited and determined to study Hindi, which prompted me to continue my studies with NSLI-Y by applying to the summer program.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
In the future, I plan on pursuing East Asian Studies in college, perhaps with a focus on Mandarin language. Looking beyond that, I am considering a career in the State Department as well as something in the realm of government, such as constitutional law.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
I hope to be able to utilize Mandarin in the workplace. One of my biggest goals in life is to contribute positively to U.S-China relations, whether that is through diplomacy, business, or trade.  Upon returning from Taiwan, I have discovered that there are so many misconceptions about Taiwan and China that persist in the United States. My goal is to use diplomacy to mend and strengthen cross-cultural relations and encourage more dialogue on both sides to create mutual understanding.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
The NSLI-Y program has impacted my life in so many ways: from discovering my love and passion for East Asian studies to developing my independence and enthusiasm for cross-cultural exchanges. From spending my afternoons experiencing Taiwanese art through colorful paintings of landscapes in museums to savoring local and imported delicacies from street markets, it did not take me long to realize that I wanted to pursue Chinese language and East Asian politics in my life. Through this experience, I was able to connect with so many individuals who are directly impacted by the diplomatic and legislative decisions that are made by the U.S. government, which has inspired me to take a more active role in local organizations and work towards a career in diplomacy with East Asian nations.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
I loved having the opportunity to learn things in class, and then be able to apply the knowledge in real life. For example, one of our weekly units in class was learning vocabulary surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), and then I was able to have conversations with my host family about AI, which was surprisingly eye-opening as my host dad was a doctor whose practice was experimenting with AI-integrated medicine.

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
When I came to Taiwan, I had a misconception that the culture there would be similar to that of China’s because of the shared language. However, through conversations with my host family, observing mannerisms, and spending a lot of time walking in-and-out of 7-11s, I discovered the culture of Taiwan is more of an amalgamation of Taiwanese, Chinese, and Japanese cultures. I was also fortunate to meet survivors from the Chinese Civil War during my stay in Taiwan, which gave me a completely fresh outlook on some historical events that I had limited prior knowledge about.

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
My favorite phrase in Mandarin is the chengyu (four-character phrase) is 同舟共济, which roughly translates to “we’re all on the same boat”. The story behind the phrase originates from the Warring States period in China (476 BC-221 BC), when China was composed of many different sovereign states. In the story, an army invades two neighboring states, prompting citizens to get onto shared boats. At first, the citizens from opposing states exchange harsh glances and refuse to talk, but then, a storm tosses the ship about, and the citizens start working with each other. By the time the passengers have reached land, they begin embracing each other, ignoring their prejudices from the beginning. I feel that this chengyu very much represents my NSLI-Y experience, in that everybody I met on that trip was from a different background, but we all found ways to collaborate and become successful on the program.

Share one interesting factoid about yourself, your personal background, or your language learning.
Besides learning Mandarin and Hindi, I also study Spanish and German at high and intermediate levels. I love to learn different languages, as they have connected me to so many new people and experiences! I also study cello intensively and have played in quite a few ensembles.

How did you learn about NSLI-Y?
I learned about NSLI-Y through STAR (Students Together Assisting Refugees), an organization which was started by a NSLI-Y alumnus.

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?
Growing up bilingual in Romanian and English, foreign languages and cultures have always been a passion of mine. I chose to study Indonesian because it would be a completely new experience for me, both in terms of language and location. Learning Indonesian intrigued me because of the people, the food, and the strong cultural roots. I was also interested in Indonesian because of its international importance – Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world and the fourth largest overall population. The natural and cultural diversity of the archipelago also intrigued me as I wanted to learn more about the nature and people of Southeast Asia.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
As of now, I would like to explore a career in diplomacy and international relations; however, I am also fascinated by the automotive world and sustainable engineering.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
I hope to use my Indonesian language skills to communicate with anyone I may meet in the future and use my language skills to expand my communication skills and knowledge about culture. I hope to continue to build on these skills to promote peace in our world and to advocate for international understanding. In the immediate future, I plan to share my newfound knowledge and understanding of Indonesia with others domestically, who may not have had the chance to travel. Cultural awareness and understanding will also help me with future work with refugees in my area.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?
During my NSLI-Y experience, I became a more confident and outspoken person. Before the program, I was more reserved and introverted; however, while studying abroad and living with a welcoming, loving, and caring host family, I found my voice and my confidence. Now, I feel as if I can do anything, anywhere life may take me, and I can connect more deeply with complete strangers. I value everything and everyone so much more than I did before, too.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
My favorite aspect of studying in my host country was the people I met! From my compassionate host family and nurturing teachers and chaperones to GoJek drivers and other complete strangers, everyone was friendly and open to having a conversation with me. Wherever I went, locals were excited to help me practice my new language and share suggestions on their favorite sites to visit or foods to try.

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
In Indonesia, there is a lot of respect shown towards elders. When addressing parents and someone significantly older than you, you use ibu or pak. When addressing others who are not married you use mbak and mas, and for older siblings or people who are very close in age, yet still older you refer to them as kak. Respect is central to Indonesian culture, and the way it is demonstrated creates a caring and friendly community.

How did you learn about NSLI-Y?
During the spring of 2021, I learned about NSLI-Y from a Korean program alumna who was in a first-generation student support group with me. She became my mentor, guiding me through the application process.

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?  
I come from a Vietnamese American family that immigrated to the United States after the Vietnam War. For most of my life, I grew up thinking that I only had Vietnamese roots; however, I discovered that my mother’s side also had Chinese ancestry. Ever since I’ve been eager to explore the culture and language that has had a deep impact on the past generations of my family. I was also fascinated at how Chinese characters, as intimidating as they seem, can articulate complex, beautiful messages that contain the wisdom of thousands of years of Chinese history and civilization. These wonders motivated me to dive deeper into the history of Chinese civilization and study Mandarin Chinese, despite all the challenges that accompany learning such a rich and rigorous language.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
As a prospective History and Political Science double major at the University of Pennsylvania, I hope to study political systems in East Asia and the historical basis behind these systems’ development. Complementing my studies with Chinese language classes, I’m eager to dive deep into Cross-Strait relations and political polarization in Taiwan’s vibrant democracy. With this knowledge, I hope to work toward a career that enables me to address the challenges facing this critical region through public diplomacy and policy development.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
At Penn, I hope to continue taking rigorous Chinese language and culture classes to prepare to study abroad once again in Taiwan or China. My passion for the Chinese language and culture naturally guides me toward a diplomatic career in which I can promote peace and mutual understanding among the peoples of China, Taiwan, and the United States. I also hope to use my target language and cultural skills to travel throughout the region and better understand the livelihoods of people in East Asia.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
Studying Mandarin Chinese virtually and especially abroad in Taiwan not only accelerated my progress in learning Mandarin Chinese, but also gave me a first-hand glimpse into how language unlocks so many amazing opportunities for professional, social, and personal development. Getting to immerse myself in the sociocultural landscape of Taiwan alongside my host family and native friends undoubtedly strengthened my passion for the Chinese language and reminded me of my goal to contribute to mutual understanding and lasting peace in East Asia.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?  
Besides developing greater proficiency in Chinese, I developed more independence and flexibility during my time in Taiwan. I was able to strengthen my time management skills because of the program’s rigor. I learned to become a more confident speaker of Chinese, thanks to my NSLI-Y experience.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
My favorite part about studying in Taiwan was my host family. Despite the initial challenges of anxiety and the language barrier, I quickly came to love and adore my host parents and siblings. Immersing myself in the family dynamic is something I will never ever forget.  From going up a mountain with my host brothers to enjoying a home-cooked meal with my host parents, I enjoyed every single second of living with my host family; I am eternally grateful to have spent priceless time with them.

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
During my NSLI-Y experience in Taiwan, I was fascinated with the role public transport played in the everyday lives of Taiwanese people. From the metro systems making daily commutes around Kaohsiung and Taipei simple and convenient to the country’s High-Speed Rail network connecting north and south in under two hours, public transportation is truly impressive and eye-opening in Taiwan!

Please share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience.
For my NSLI-Y capstone project in Taiwan, I delivered a presentation completely in Chinese about the Taiwanese band “八三夭“ (Basanyao), one of my favorite bands at the time. Amazingly, I was somehow able to get my hands on front-row VIP tickets to see them live. I felt really motivated and passionate about my final presentation, which I successfully completed. In the process, I learned a lot of vocabulary about concerts and music that I won’t forget!

Share one interesting factoid about yourself, your personal background, or your language learning.
In Taiwan, I fell in love with “七里香” (qī lǐ xiāng), which is a rather cute name for grilled chicken butt. I was introduced to this delicious treat when my host family took me to a local village to explore the culture outside of the city. I loved to enjoy skewers of grilled chicken butt at night markets in Kaohsiung and Taipei, and I even wrote about this delicacy in one of my college essays!

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?
When I took World History my sophomore year, my teacher briefly touched upon the Turks. Since I had never heard of the Turks, I wanted to learn more about this ethnic group – its people, government, currency, food. I started by learning their language – Turkish. I was also fascinated that Turkish had an alphabet containing letters with a diacritic.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
I will pursue a double major in business/economics and international relations in college. My passion for these two areas was partly inspired from my experience studying abroad in Türkiye.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
Using my knowledge of Turkish, I would like to work with policy think tanks in the Middle East to conduct research on geographical areas affected by economic turmoil, such as Türkiye. I would also like to start my own, or work with existing summer camps, to teach critical languages to younger students.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
I would like to continue my language learning through Boren, CLS, or other language scholarships. My ability to speak four different languages (English, French, Mandarin, and Turkish) made me realize my potential for an international career.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?
Not only did I gain proficiency in a new language, but I also became more confident in my ability to make friends with people who looked, talked, and acted differently from me. While my two host sisters could speak basic English, my host parents could not. As we helped ourselves to heaping servings of roasted chicken, lentil soup, and village bread at the dinner table, we shared our enthusiasm for common interests such as TV shows and tea. Through our frequent conversations, we became more fluent in our respective languages: Turkish and English.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
I really love Turkish food. Every morning, my host mom would lay out an assortment of ekmek (bread), peynir (cheese), fruit jams, black and green olives, and fresh vegetables from her village garden. For dinner, we would often have homemade soup, roasted chicken, börek (layers of cheese puff pastry), and lots of yogurt. At my university, my teacher once brought us süt baklava, a pastry made up of layers of milk and cream. When I departed from Türkiye, my host mom gave me her homemade salça (tomato jam) and quince jam.

Please share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience.
On my second day in Türkiye, my older host sister invited me to her three-day wedding at their familial village in northern Türkiye. When I arrived in the village, I was immediately greeted by numerous relatives, and I befriended my host siblings’ cousins, who treated me with kindness, despite the difficult language barrier. My Turkish host relatives included me in the traditional village ceremonies and dances.

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
My favorite phrase is “çok güzel” which means “very good” or “very beautiful.” I used the phrase to describe basically everything I saw in Türkiye, including food, people, and mosques.

How did you learn about NSLI-Y?
I initially heard about NSLI-Y from a friend’s mom who knew I was interested in Russian and recommended I check out the program. A few months later, at a Russian language village camp, I saw a few flyers for NSLI-Y and applied that fall. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
I’m thinking about majoring in economics and/or international relations with a minor in Russian. My dream job would probably have something to do with international business, but I’m also interested in going into academia.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
I hope to study and work abroad within Russian-speaking communities to continue building my language skills; but regardless of where my career and educational goals ultimately take me, I’ll make sure to keep practicing the Russian language whenever the opportunity arises!

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
Prior to spending the summer in Kazakhstan, I had always been interested in living and working abroad but didn’t have much hands-on experience with the concept. NSLI-Y was the first time I was able to enjoy fully immersing myself in a new language and culture for an extended time and only confirmed my desire to become a citizen of the world. I’ve also met an incredible network of highly motivated and brilliant peers who have similarly shaped my goals for what I want to accomplish in life.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?  
More than anything else, I think that my time in Almaty taught me to become self-reliant, both as an independent person and a thinker. At the same time, however, I had a supportive network of friends, teachers, and my resident director to guide me along my journey. I think the NSLI-Y program strikes the right balance between self-discovery and support, and I made tremendous strides as both a learner and a person during the summer.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
Honestly, probably the daily classes. I had a phenomenal teacher who truly cared about all her students, and she always made sure to check in and confirm that we understood all the course material. I also became close friends with my classmates and had a great time learning the language with them.

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
Something cool that I discovered while in Kazakhstan was the large influence of Turkic culture and language on daily life in the country. There were Turkish restaurants all around the city, the Kazakh and Turkish languages overlapped quite a bit, and I even got fooled by the classic Turkish ice cream man trick.

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
I found the Russian word “Хорошо,” literally translating to “ok,” “well,” or “good,” to be by far the most useful word while abroad. You can use it for anything—acknowledgments, rating food, responding to questions, and anything of the like. It was a lifesaver during my time in Kazakhstan!

Share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience.
In Kazakhstan, like many other post-Soviet states, chess culture dominates the country. Knowing this, I came to Almaty looking forward to sharpening my chess skills. However, I wasn’t expecting my host dad to have played the game for decades, or my resident director to have translated Soviet chess literature from Russian to English! The competition in the country was super tough, and, to put it simply, I got crushed! Despite that, my skills grew by an enormous margin, and I enjoyed every move of every game.

Share one interesting factoid about yourself, your personal background, or your language learning.
I love learning languages! On top of Russian, I also study Swedish and Spanish on the side. My Duolingo streak is almost 1,500 days at this point.

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?  
I had known for a long time that I was interested in international relations. As I began to explore the field more, I focused on Eastern European affairs. Simultaneously, I started watching a few TV shows that were partially in Russian. As I picked up a few words here and there, I became really excited about the Russian language.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
I am planning to major in international relations and Slavic studies. Professionally, I want to work as a Foreign Service Officer, employing my Russian language skills in both Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
I plan to use both in my career in the Foreign Service. Strong language skills and cultural understanding are the basis for strong diplomacy, whether it is conducted on an individual or governmental level.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
NSLI-Y was a life-changing experience for me. When I started learning Russian, I constantly heard comments about the difficulty of the language. NSLI-Y showed me that fluency was more than achievable with enough determination. Professionally, meeting with Embassy staff in Bishkek further solidified my desire to work in the Foreign Service.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?  
Adaptability and perseverance were two big ones. Living in a completely new environment means adjusting to new routines and aspects of your surroundings. The adaptability that I gained from NSLI-Y has served me well in all aspects of my life. As for perseverance, learning any new language comes with challenges. Learning to work through those challenges is extremely important: it made me a better language learner and a better learner overall.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
The people. Learning from and with them all was a transformative experience, and I left my host country with wonderful new connections. I still talk to my host family and fellow cohort members on a regular basis.

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
I learned a lot about Central Asian cuisine from my NSLI-Y experience. While in Kyrgyzstan, I was introduced to манты, лагман, and борсок amongst many other excellent dishes. Манты are large dumplings, generally filled with lamb or beef. Лагман is a noodle dish made with meat and vegetables. Борсок is bread made from fried dough and cut into small squares. All three are amazing.

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
My favorite Russian phrase is “Не имей сто рублей, а имей сто друзей,” which means “don’t have a hundred rubles, but have a hundred friends.” I learned this proverb during NSLI-Y with my teacher. She repeated the saying frequently and took the time to discuss its importance with my class and me.

Share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience.
During one of our weekend trips, my cohort had the chance to hike to a waterfall in Национальный парк Ала-Арча (Ala-Archa National Park). The hike, despite being very difficult, was gorgeous, and I loved getting to experience some of the amazing nature in Kyrgyzstan. It was also a great chance for me to get to talk to my fellow cohort members.

How did you learn about NSLI-Y?
During the summer of my junior year, I studied a lot at my local library. I was super into self-studying Korean. One day, I found a pamphlet at my library for NSLI-Y and applied on a whim.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
I hope to one day work in the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and help promote the implementation of art into curriculums around the world. Being an artist myself, I have always believed art has the power to connect different groups of people and give us insight into worlds that are unknown to us.

How do you plan to use your target language and cultural skills in the future?
I hope to use my Korean language to help me understand East Asian art history. Since joining the NSLI-Y Alumni Association, I have a newfound love for learning new languages, so I will also incorporate Arabic, and Spanish into my studies of art history.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
Before I left for South Korea, I was unsure about my future and if animation was really what I was meant to do. My time on program really helped me become sure of myself. I also met my best friend on NSLI-Y and she has also been a very positive influence in my life; we are constantly pushing each other to apply for the next opportunity.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?  
I learned how to become more independent and manage my time wisely, which was important because my school day was busy and I wanted to make the most of my time in South Korea.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
My favorite part about studying in South Korea was the widespread attitude of respect towards others. Everyone was super kind and very patient with us as foreigners. They would always encourage us to try local dishes or speak Korean with them.

Please share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience. 
A highlight from my experience was when we went on a cultural trip to Namhae. My friends and I made such good memories of swimming on the beach, eating steamed buns, and going to all different sites such as the Evergreen Park. It is one of my favorite memories from the trip.

Why were you interested in studying your NSLI-Y target language?
My interest in studying Mandarin Chinese is rooted in my identity as someone who is of half-Taiwanese descent. I have always desired to study my extended family’s native language. Beyond familial ties, I am enticed by Chinese culture. The rich Chinese history, art, and traditions have served as a source of inspiration as I learn Mandarin Chinese. In the contemporary world, mastering Chinese is essential to opening doors to business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.

What are your educational and/or professional goals?
I plan to major in international relations and business. During university, I would like to study abroad through a program at my university or through an intensive language program. Professionally, I hope to pursue a career that will enable me to work internationally to solve global issues.

How did participation in NSLI-Y affect your life and future goals?
My participation in NSLI-Y has broadened my perspective and has enabled me to realize the importance of language in developing connections. Through NSLI-Y, I also discovered the relevance of language and cultural understanding in every career field. I strive to utilize the cultural and language lessons I learned through NSLI-Y in my future career.

What skills did you gain during your NSLI-Y experience?
Through my NSLI-Y experience, I developed confidence in my language skills and myself. Although I entered the program with no Chinese experience, my language proficiency improved through my willingness to learn from my mistakes. This confidence has translated into other aspects of my life. Also, I learned the importance of time management. Due to the intensive nature of the NSLI-Y program, I had to manage my time well to ensure that I kept up with my language classes, completed my homework on time, and fully culturally immersed myself in Taiwanese society.

What was your favorite part about studying in your host country?
My favorite part about studying in my host country was having the ability to utilize my language skills practically. I enjoyed being able to use the skills that I learned in class within the community. Also, I enjoyed exploring the night markets. The night markets were rich in Taiwanese culture, and I liked being able to try the delicious Taiwanese delicacies.

What did you learn about your host country or culture that you didn’t know before your NSLI-Y experience?
In Taiwan, I discovered the prevalence of ethnic groups, such as the Hakka. My host family has Hakka roots, and I enjoyed learning about their heritage and language. My host family took me to the Hakka Cultural Center and my host siblings’ Hakka class. At the class, my host siblings showed me how to play with traditional Hakka toys. I found it fascinating to watch as my host siblings learned the Hakka language with their peers. Much of the younger generation has lost the ability to speak Hakka and understand the culture, so I realized the importance of persevering in culture through classes like the one I attended with my host siblings.

Please share a short highlight about your NSLI-Y experience.
During the last week of the program, my cohort went on a day trip to Yilan. We visited a farm and made 葱油饼 (Cōng yóubǐng), or scallion pancakes, from scratch. We picked the green onions from the field, used the green onion and some dough to make and cook the 葱油饼, and tried our homemade 葱油 饼! While I have enjoyed eating 葱油饼 from a young age, I never knew the process to make it. My trip to Yilan was an eye-opening experience!

What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
My favorite Mandarin Chinese word is 加油 (Jiāyóu). The English translation is “you can do it” or “keep it up.” This phrase is an expression of encouragement and support. Whether I was preparing for my weekly Chinese test, watching the high school honor guard competition, or playing basketball with my host siblings, 加油 was a common phrase used in my everyday life in Taiwan.