Are you interested in studying Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, or Turkish while living and studying abroad this upcoming summer? The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Scholarship is now open.
Previous language study is not a requirement. Students of all levels of language ability are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Requirements:
U.S. citizen
15 – 18 years of age at start of the program (age varies by program – read more on the Languages and Programs page)
Enrolled in high school at time of application (Gap year programs available)
GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent
Immediate family members of individuals who work with the NSLI-Y program at the U.S. Department of State, American Councils, or one of the implementing organizations are not eligible.
The costs covered by the scholarship are:
Round-trip travel between the participant’s home region and the overseas host city
Travel from participant’s home region to the pre-departure orientation location
Tuition and academic materials
In-country support
Cultural activities
Pre-departure and re-entry orientations
Room and board
Secondary medical benefits
Visas
Interested?
These scholarships are very competitive, and as such, require diligent work ahead of time on one’s application. The deadline to apply is November 3, 2011, but applicants should get started on their application in September. If you are interested, please e-mail derick.strode@wku.edu and melinda.grimsley-smith@wku.edu to get started.
Charlotte Humes, a Gatton Academy senior from Bardstown, chose to spend her summer this year than many of her high school peers.
Earlier this year, she applied for and was awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State for the study of a critical language in a foreign country. These merit-based scholarships are for high school students studying less commonly taught languages.
Although the Gatton Academy curriculum places and emphasis on math and science, Humes began to cultivate an interest in language when she took a course in Arabic during the spring semester at WKU. TheDepartment of Modern Languagesat WKU offers two years of Arabic courses. Courses are taught by Khaldoun Almousily, a native of Jordan, and a new Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant each year, giving students exposure to different dialects and the opportunity to delve deeper into cultural differences.
“The program is very dedicated to broadening the global perspective of students they send,” Humes said.
Humes’ Arabic studies took her 4,353 miles from Kentucky to Rabat, Morocco. Aong with 12 other students from across the nation, Humes spent six weeks immersed in the language and culture of the country under the instruction of fluent Arabic speaker John Weinert of Rochester, NY, and teacher Emily Lauer of Denver, CO.
Humes explained that living with a host family was a critical component of the program. Program participants had the opportunity to experience authentic dinners, weddings, and everyday life. “One of the most influential experiences overall was staying with the host family,” she said. “It made me appreciate and practice the language a lot more than I would’ve had I just stayed in a hotel. I was immersed in the culture, which was great!
The group’s studies in Morocco consisted of language study five days each week with the rest of her time spent just experiencing the everyday culture. Her host family took the students on day trips to the countryside, which she thought was one of the most beautiful places in Morocco. Other weekend trips led the students to cities like Fez, Ifriane, and Chefchaouene all over the country. She was also given the freedom to explore the city and venture out to the beach with her roommates.
Humes’ work in Arabic at Western Kentucky University gave her an edge over many of her peers in the program. Of the students in the NSLI-Y program, skill levels ranged from not knowing the alphabet to high proficiency. Humes was surprised when the mother of her host family began speaking French when she arrived. She quickly learned that French was also a prominent language in the country.
Of the many experiences throughout the trip, Humes explained that the interactions with the various Moroccans she met were the most enjoyable. “Although there was the language barrier, most of the students there know at least some English,” Humes said. “between the two languages we were able to communicate.”
Not surprisingly, Humes said her least favorite part was leaving. After recounting her amazing experience, she said that she would definitely recommend the program to other students, and would repeat it herself if given the chance.
For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 705-3632.
Academy Avatar Rachel Metcalfe also contributed to this story.
Gatton Academy students Charlotte Humes, Brandon Kerr and Victoria Allen were selected for National Security Language Initiative for Youth Scholarships. (WKU photo by Clinton Lewis)
Brandon Kerr of Edmonton and Victoria Allen of Auburn, both studying with theChinese Flagship program at WKU, one of nine such federally funded programs in the country, were awarded the NSLI-Y scholarship for summer 2011 to study Mandarin for six weeks at Shanghai Normal University.
Charlotte Humes of Bardstown, who is studying Arabic, will be spending her summer in Morocco immersed in Arabic culture.
The NSLI-Y summer scholarship will cover all program costs, travel to the applicant’s destination, tuition, housing, activities, and more for six weeks. These merit-based scholarships are for high school students studying less commonly taught languages.
Brandon Kerr
“Brandon is very serious about Chinese and has impressed me deeply with his talent and motivation,” said Dr. Liping Chen, Assistant Professor of Chinese Language and Linguistics with the Chinese Flagship Program. “He is no doubt a rising star in the program.”
Kerr said that he was concerned that, without practice over the summer, he might lose the progress he has made so far with the language. Hoping to serve as a volunteer doctor after graduation, Kerr saw the potential for personal progress in continuing his studies this summer.
“I was really inspired by the winter program the Flagship took, and I wanted to get back to China as soon as possible. Learning the language will be critical for me if I want to work as a physician in a foreign country one day,” he said.
Victoria Allen
Allen, a first-year Gatton Academy student, hopes to someday work for an international organization focusing on environmental science. Allen was also offered an opportunity to spend her summer conducting research with theNational Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates(REU) program at WKU, studying the impacts of land use and land cover in the Upper Green River Watershed.
“Even though I am incredibly thrilled with this achievement, I have decided to decline the NSLI-Y scholarship. While both are extremely lucrative opportunities, I feel the REU will serve my major and future better,” she said.
Dr. Chris Groves, director of theHoffman Environmental Research Institute, said Allen’s work this summer “will be largely here at WKU working on some new methods to evaluate environmental impacts on landscapes. In general this work isn’t specifically China related, but we are going to utilize Victoria’s experience with the Chinese culture to explore how we can transfer this technology to Chinese settings.”
Dr. Groves said that they are also looking into having Allen present her work in Guilin, China, to his Chinese colleagues and work alongside the team for a few days as they work on how to apply the research in China.
“With Victoria’s interest in environmental sustainability issues combined with her Chinese skills working with the Flagship program, I was thrilled that she came to the Hoffman Institute seeking research opportunities this year,” Dr. Groves said. “She has already begun working on an evolving methodology to evaluate environmental impacts at the landscape scale, and with her experience this summer we will evaluate ways to utilize these methods in a Chinese context, where the scales of environmental challenges are enormous.”
Charlotte Humes
Humes said she applied because she loves Arabic and will be spending her summer in Morocco immersed in Arabic culture. Humes is also a first-year student in the Gatton Academy.
TheDepartment of Modern Languagesat WKU offers two years of Arabic courses. Courses are taught by Khaldoun Almousily, a native of Jordan, and a new Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant each year, giving students exposure to different dialects and the opportunity to delve deeper into cultural differences.
“Charlotte is an outstanding student who has dedicated herself to her academic pursuits. She has been one of the highest achieving students and is quick to grasp new material. Her proven abilities demonstrate that she truly is a worthy recipient of this prestigious scholarship,” Almousily said.
Humes, whose studies at the Gatton Academy are focused on chemistry, said that while other opportunities presented themselves that would advance her as a scientist, she felt that her participation in NSLI-Y would make her a better person.
“NSLI-Y is only one part language; it’s also one part culture. I will have the chance to learn about a whole new side of the world, to grow in understanding of their way of life. The program is very dedicated to broadening the global perspective of students they send,” Humes said.
The opportunity to volunteer in Morocco during the program also interested Humes.
“I believe I am most looking forward to these service opportunities; there have been many chances for community service offered to participants in past years, and the thought of being able to help others while there is immensely exciting,” she said.
About the Chinese Flagship:The WKU Chinese Flagship, one of nine Chinese Flagships in the United States, is sponsored by a federal grant through the National Security Education Program. The Language Flagship is a national initiative to create global citizens by bringing students to the professional, or superior, level of proficiency in any discipline. Students in the WKU Chinese Language Flagship program take intensive Chinese language courses each semester throughout their undergraduate career and participate in multiple funded overseas opportunities. Contact: Melinda Edgerton, (270) 745-5043 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting(270) 745-5043end_of_the_skype_highlighting
About the Gatton Academy:The Gatton Academy offers a residential program for bright, highly motivated Kentucky high school students who have demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Sixty students each year are admitted to the program through a competitive process. Instead of spending their junior and senior years in traditional high schools, students enroll in the Gatton Academy and live in a uniquely dedicated residence hall. The goals of the Gatton Academy are to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment that offers advanced educational opportunities and to prepare them for leadership roles in Kentucky. At the end of two years, Gatton Academy students will have earned at least 60 college credit hours in addition to completing high school. Contact: Corey Alderdice, (270) 745-6565 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting(270) 745-6565end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Office of Scholar Development:TheOffice of Scholar Developmentis committed to helping students on all WKU campuses and in all majors and degree programs develop the vision, experience and skills to be independent, engaged scholars. OSD welcomes the opportunity to work with students interested in applying for international scholarships. Contact: Dr. Audra Jennings, (270) 745-5043 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting(270) 745-5043end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Contact: Audra Jennings or Melinda Edgerton, (270) 745-5043 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting(270) 745-5043end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
