Article by Sarah Zaikowski ’27

From academic feats, to international flights, Sarah Chavez 27’ demonstrated the rewards of rigor and the importance of cultural exchange by participating in the 2026 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y).

Sarah was selected for the summer NSLI-Y study abroad program in Latvia, studying Russian through her host family. After her return, she was enthusiastic to share this unforgettable experience for those who are interested in studying abroad for high school, or college. 

At a pre-departure orientation in Washington D.C. from June 24 to June 26, Sarah met her fellow classmates from all over the U.S. as well as students all the way from Kazakhstan. 

When her group arrived in Daugavapils, Latvia, classes were immediately in session. 5 days a week from 8 to 12, her teacher solely spoke Russian- an incredibly challenging language to comprehend as a non-native speaker. Hence, the program accommodated Sarah and classmates with out of class bilingual tutors to help with phrases and standard Russian grammar. 

Despite her classroom responsibilities, the program offered her plenty of freedom to roam around, enjoying the Latvian scenery through the full cultural immersion; they would receive a cooking class, visit local lakes, the Algona Basilica, and Riga, the capital. 

Sarah recalled, “It was really cool to see a different way of living, and getting to see the different traditions and customs from another region. They force you to grow and widen your perspectives, and by being on your own in another country, you get to learn so much about both yourself and the world around you.”

One of the best parts of her trip was finally understanding what her host grandma, Luba, was saying to her after weeks of exchanging words. Without this unique opportunity she doubts that being able to interchange from English to Russian would have gotten any easier. 

NSLI-Y is a unique merit-based scholarship program for American Highschool students who are interested in expanding their foreign horizons through language and location. The NSLI-Y initiative is to encourage an inclination to learn foreign languages as a means of preserving foreign peace through culturally curious youth. Alumni of this program not only leave knowing more about the country and its dialect, but also leave knowing their willingness to study critical languages made a critical contribution to our country’s national security.