By Annie Goodykoontz

Five Tempe Prep students have the opportunity to study worldwide through NSLI-Y, the National Language Institute for Youth, offering students the chance to study another country’s language and culture while living there. Seniors Lainey Wait, Deizha Saenz and Nathan Haug, along with juniors Catherine Ross and Henry Akins, qualified as semifinalists for the program.

Henry, who chose to study Russian, learned about the program through Tempe Prep’s newsletter. “I was very enthusiastic when I was told about this opportunity and I quickly began my application process,” he said. Deizha, who chose to study in South Korea, heard about the program through Mrs. Moffitt, Tempe Prep’s director of college counseling. 

Henry said of the application process, “I had to write a letter to my host family that would be delivered to them should I be selected.” Deizha particularly liked this component. “I thought that this part of the application was so exciting because I believe you can tell a lot about someone through how they write,” she said.

After the applications were submitted, students were interviewed. “My interviewer was very nice,” Henry said, “and made the interview feel more like a conversation than a stressful interview.” Deizha also enjoyed the interview. “(It) was my favorite part so far because I got to represent myself face-to-face,” she said. 

Deizha advises future NSLI-Y applicants to be themselves. “Throughout this process I learned that everyone has something unique to offer to the program and it shows through your character and effort,” she said.

 Henry’s advice is to “apply for a language that you have any connection to or experience with.” He said, “I have been to Russia several times, I have taken an elementary Russian course with StarTalk, and I have many native and fluent Russian speakers around me.” 

Both discussed what they hope to gain from the program. Henry said. “I am not looking for a sightseeing experience, but more to experience the people and the culture of (new) countries, as well as the immersion of existing within an environment where English is scarcely spoken.” “I am excited to learn how to be independent,” Deizha said. “I have always been very close to my family and it will be very tough to be away, but I think experiences like these are once in a lifetime and can teach one how to be strong.”