NSLI-Y experiences vary across program sites and from year to year.

In general, NSLI-Y summer programs are very structured. Participants typically have breakfast with their host families or in their group housing, commute to host institution using public transportation, and attend language class for 3 to 4 hours each morning. Participants have lunch with peers and spend afternoon hours attending language classes, conversing with local language partners, participating in cultural activities, and/or completing assignments or projects. In the evening, participants often spend time with their host families and complete homework. A typical weekday schedule would be:

7:00 AM – Breakfast with host family or in group housing

8:00 AM – Begin commute to school

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Language class

12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 PM – Language class

2:30 – 4:30 PM – Culture class, community service, or language partner session

5:00 PM – Commute to host family or to group housing

6:30 PM – Dinner

7:30 – 8:30 PM – Time for homework

Evening – Time with host family or free time

The daily experience of academic year participants varies from one program to another. All academic year participants receive at least 10 hours of formal language instruction per week at a local school or post-secondary institution and may take other academic or enrichment classes. Some programs place participants with host families for the full academic year, while others combine shorter host family stays with monitored dormitory or group housing arrangements. Participants often spend time working on semester and/or year-long projects. A typical weekday schedule might be:

7:00 AM – Breakfast with host family or in group housing

8:00 AM – Begin commute to school

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Language class and/or other host school classes

12:30 – 1:30 PM – Lunch

2:30 – 4:30 PM – Culture class, language partner session, or work on semester project

5:00 PM – Commute to host family or to group housing

6:30 PM – Dinner

7:30 – 8:30 PM – Time for homework

Evening – Time with host family