The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) is a U.S. Department of State program that provides American high school students with scholarships to study critical languages overseas. Through immersive language learning and cultural exchange, students gain valuable communication skills, global awareness, and experiences that prepare them to contribute to international understanding and national security.
Communicating and understanding content in a language other than your first.
Understanding and respectfully engaging with people from different backgrounds.
Fully focusing on and understanding what someone else is communicating.
Evaluating information carefully before drawing a conclusion or making a decision.
Adjusting quickly and effectively when plans or circumstances change.
Immersive language study and cultural exchange directly prepare students for diplomatic and foreign service roles requiring fluency and cultural understanding.
Critical language proficiency in underrepresented languages supports the intelligence community's national security operations and analysis.
Advanced foreign language skills and cultural competency gained abroad enable students to teach languages and foster cross-cultural understanding.
Foreign language fluency and international cultural experience support reporting on global issues and international news.
Community Experiences
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