Applications are open now for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) and FLEX Abroad programs! Through these merit-based scholarship programs, U.S. high school students study abroad, learn another language, develop leadership skills, engage with other cultures, and participate in citizen diplomacy. Previous language study is not required. 2026-2027 program offerings include:

·       National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) offers intensive overseas immersion programs for U.S. high school students to learn Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, or Russian for a summer or academic year. NSLI-Y increase the number of young Americans with critical language skills, intercultural competence, and leadership abilities to contribute to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Participants attend language classes, live with host families, participate in cultural activities, and serve as U.S. citizen ambassador abroad. Applicants may choose to apply for Summer (6-8 weeks) and/or Academic Year (8-10 months) programs.Information about eligibility can be found here. Application deadline: November 12, 2025)

·       FLEX Abroad offers young Americans a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth, helping cultivate the next generation of leaders. Participants spend an academic year (10 months) in strategically important countries living with a host family and attending a local high school. As citizen diplomats, students develop their language, communication, and problem-solving skills and serve as cultural ambassadors, sharing U.S. culture and traditions. FLEX Abroad locations are: Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Poland. (Application deadline: December 8, 2025)

We hope that you can share this information through your networks and with interested students, parents, teachers, and schools. Questions may be directed to highschoolstudyabroad@americancouncils.org or you may call 1-800-380-6552.

For your convenience, we have provided social media posts and captions below. At this time, please only link the post to program websites -  www.nsliforyouth.org or www.discoverflex.org/flex-abroad.