Educators

What kind of student is a good match for NSLI-Y?

Participating in NSLI-Y is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. NSLI-Y participants are immersed in a foreign culture and spend most of the day studying language and culture inside and outside the classroom. To navigate the “ups and downs” of a cross-cultural environment, participants must demonstrate maturity, open-mindedness, flexibility, communication skills, and initiative. Additionally, participants need to understand the importance of following program rules and guidelines, especially for health and safety.

Successful NSLI-Y participants dedicate themselves to language acquisition and understanding of the host culture. The program expects participants to embrace their role as citizen youth ambassadors and to recognize the significance of developing cultural sensitivity. NSLI-Y is a structured language-learning experience, and participants do not travel independently. NSLI-Y is focused on language acquisition, not tourism.

Students interested in academic year programs should consider the long-term commitment and challenges. For many reasons, not all students may be prepared for such an extended period away from home.

NSLI-Y language instruction and programming 

The NSLI-Y program promotes critical language learning among American youth and aims to spark a lifetime of interest in foreign languages and cultures. NSLI-Y encourages students to build on their language skills in their university and professional career choices and to dedicate themselves to continued language learning far beyond their time on the program. NSLI-Y scholars participate in intensive language courses on summer or academic year programs. Summer programs include a minimum of 120 hours of formal classroom instruction. Academic year programs include at least ten hours per week of formal classroom instruction, and most programs include additional academic courses. Language teachers have significant experience teaching speakers of other languages and are usually native speakers of the target language.  NSLI-Y provides orientation to language teachers to ensure their familiarity with NSLI-Y goals, integration of language classroom activities with enrichment activities, and U.S. high school students’ learning styles and academic expectations. While on program students may experience different teaching methods from what they are used to in U.S. classrooms.

These intensive language courses are complemented by cultural immersion activities inside and outside of the classroom, including homestays, and excursions. Successful NSLI-Y scholars are dedicated language learners who strive to gain deeper understanding and appreciation for their host culture and community.

Preparation

Preparation for the NSLI-Y experience begins in the spring, shortly after the finalists are selected. Participation in all orientation and pre-program language activities is mandatory.

Participants will be required to participate in pre-program language learning as well as complete assignments and assessments in preparation for the program. Program orientation activities may include online resources, handbooks, conference calls, webinars, opportunities to speak with NSLI-Y alumni, and local events with other exchange students. Before departing the United States for the host location as a group, students attend an orientation in their U.S. departure city that will address health and safety in the host community.

Role of the U.S. Department of State

NSLI-Y is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The Department of State funds the program, establishes the program goals and objectives, selects the host locations and languages offered, and provides oversight of all program activities. ECA collaborates with American Councils for International Education and other international exchange organizations to implement NSLI-Y programs. Cities and regions for NSLI-Y programs are selected in cooperation with the U.S. Embassies and Consulates in the host country. Embassy and Consulate staff in each NSLI-Y location are invited to orient students about local health and safety and discuss career opportunities with the U.S. Government. The Department of State and the implementing organizations continuously monitor current events in each NSLI-Y location. Participant safety and security are top priorities. All NSLI-Y students are registered with the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which provides safety and health alerts via text messages and ensures that the Embassy can quickly contact students if needed. Additional resources and information are available at travel.state.gov and studyabroad.state.gov

Students can find detailed guidance and information about the NSLI-Y online application at https://www.nsliforyouth.org/how-to-apply.

Recommenders can find information about the NSLI-Y recommendation process in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

What should be addressed in the recommendation?   

The confidential recommendation is used to determine an applicant’s academic motivation and potential to be an exchange student. The recommendation form includes both multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions. Recommenders are asked to comment on the applicant’s communication skills, behavior, work ethic, peer relationships, and ability to work in groups, as well as general suitability for an overseas exchange experience. Before completing the recommendation, it can be helpful to talk with the applicant about their motivation for participating in NSLI-Y and how it relates to their future academic and professional goals.

Honest, candid feedback about the applicant is critical to the selection process. Including specific examples in open-ended responses is particularly helpful.

How do I complete the online recommendation?

Individuals providing recommendations for NSLI-Y applicants will receive an email notification and log-in instructions for the online recommendation form from [email protected]. Recommendations must be submitted through the online application form by Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

If you have not received the email notification after your student requested a recommendation in the application system, please check your junk or spam folder. If you cannot find it there, ask the applicant to press the ‘Request Recommendation’ button again in the application to send you another message.

We recommend that you add [email protected] to your safe senders or contacts lists so that the notification does not go to a spam or junk folder. Consider providing the applicant with a contact email that is not a K-12 address as K-12 addresses often block email messages from unknown sources, such as the NSLI-Y application system.

What should I do if I’m having trouble submitting my Recommendation?

If you have been experiencing technical difficulties, please email us at [email protected] or [email protected], or call (800) 380-6552. NSLI-Y staff will be available to assist you between 9:00 AM-5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Due to the heavy volume of inquiries on the student application deadline, NSLI-Y staff may not be able to respond to all email or call inquiries on November 12. Please contact us for any assistance well in advance of this deadline.

NSLI-Y alumni return to the United States with an increased understanding of their host culture, greater proficiency in the target language, and skills that prepare them for a global work environment. According to a recent NSLI-Y alumni survey, over 80% of respondents continue to study their NSLI-Y target language.

The NSLI-Y program provides resources to alumni through the NSLI-Y Alumni Association and website, so they can share information about their experiences with U.S. home communities and schools and inspire others to learn languages and study abroad.

We invite teachers, students, and others interested in NSLI-Y to explore the NSLI-Y Interactive site, which offers insights and reflections by NSLI-Y participants and alumni. The NSLI-Y Interactive platform hosts virtual events throughout the school year. Sign up to receive notifications about virtual events and check the site throughout the year for new stories.

Due to the enthusiasm for international education that is often strengthened by NSLI-Y, many families of applicants, participants, and alumni choose to host a Department of State-sponsored international exchange student. Each year, the Department of State provides competitive scholarships to nearly 1,700 high school exchange students from around the world to spend an academic year in the United States living with host families, attending local schools and getting to know “real” Americans. These international students provide a wonderful opportunity for enhancing international dialogue and cross-cultural awareness.