(Courtesy/Lynn Y.)
For most high school students, spring break means rest. But for junior Abby X. it meant setting an alarm for the middle of the night to attend a Russian class on Zoom, while in a hotel lobby in Sorrento on the Latin trip. That level of dedication is what helped her earn a spot in the highly competitive National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y).
As well, Lynn Y.’s service work at the downtown Riverview International Center inspired her to learn Arabic. Lynn participates in Model UN and the Global Scholars Diploma, which she says shaped her passion to pursue a global career in the future. She was first introduced to the Arabic language through a CA Internship at the RIC, which works with new Americans to find employment, learn English, and help with basic community care. Lynn mostly worked with children through their Summer Reading Program, where elementary and middle school students come to read books one-on-one with a volunteer, but she also interacted with their parents, many of whom spoke Arabic, all of which made her develop a deep appreciation of the language.
Lynn will live with a host family in Rabat, Morocco, for two months this summer. Lynn says, “Although I am a total beginner to the language, I am so excited to study abroad this summer and to immerse myself in Moroccan culture and to learn to speak Arabic. I also plan to continue my Arabic journey even after my time abroad by taking the MSON course during the school year.”
This year, Academy is celebrating a remarkable achievement: three students have been accepted into NSLI-Y over the past six years. While that number may seem small at first glance, it speaks volumes about the caliber of the students applying for this honor, says Latin teacher, Elise Gursahaney.
NSLI-Y, a U.S. Department of State program, offers high school students an all-expenses-paid opportunity to study languages abroad through intensive instruction and cultural immersion. The program is not only prestigious and competitive, with an acceptance rate of 20–25%, but also aims to cultivate future global leaders equipped with cross-cultural communication skills.
The motivation to spotlight these recent NSLI-Y successes comes from Gursahaney who previously worked in Washington, D.C., where student awareness and access to State Department opportunities are much more common. “Ohio isn’t as connected to the Department of State,” she said, “But we still have plenty of students who want to learn these languages and/or study abroad. It’s an amazing opportunity… that more students should know about.”
What sets CA’s NSLI-Y scholars apart is not only academic strength, but cultural curiosity and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones. “All three of these students have been very curious and open to learning about other cultures,” Gursahaney said. “That’s a distinct feature that the NSLI-Y program is looking for.”
Students like Abby and Lynn have shown an exceptional level of commitment, often balancing demanding language study with their regular schoolwork. Stories like Abby’s late-night Zoom session while abroad underscores the level of dedication required by this prestigious program.
As Columbus Academy continues to foster globally-minded students, the school hopes even more Vikings will consider applying to programs like NSLI-Y in the years to come. With a strong track record and applicants, the future looks bright.
