Jesse Tarnas (Photo courtesy of Parker School)
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Jesse Tarnas, a senior at Parker School, has been awarded one of more than 600 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarships for 2012-2013.
The NSLI-Y program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and provides merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students to learn less commonly-taught languages in summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs.
The NSLI-Y scholarship enables Tarnas to study Arabic in Morocco for the summer. The scholarship covers all program costs for participants including domestic and international travel; tuition and related academic preparation; language testing; educational and cultural activities focused on language learning; orientations; meals; and accommodations, commonly with a host family.
Tarnas said, “I’m really interested in Arabic because Islamic culture is incredibly intriguing and, frankly, doesn’t get enough kudos for the role it played in the development of the modern westernized psyche. Furthermore, my mom spent her childhood in Beirut, Lebanon, so I have some roots in the Muslim world. My aunt pointed this program out to me. I’m not sure how she found it, but I’m sure glad she did!â€
Launched as part of a U.S. Government initiative in 2006, NSLI-Y seeks to increase Americans’ capacity to engage with native speakers of critical languages by providing formal and informal language learning and practice and by promoting mutual understanding through educational and cultural activities. NSLI-Y offers overseas study opportunities to high school students for summer and academic-year language learning in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, and Turkish.
The goals of the NSLI-Y program include sparking a life-long interest in foreign languages and cultures, and developing a corps of young Americans with the skills necessary to advance international dialogue in the private, academic or government sectors, building upon the foundations developed through person-to-person relationships while abroad.
Through his participation in the program, Tarnas will be in the vanguard of international communication and will develop the skills necessary to be a leader in the global community.
NSLI-Y is administered by American Councils for International Education in cooperation with AFS-USA, American Cultural Exchange Service, Americans Promoting Study Abroad, AMIDEAST, iEARN-USA, Legacy International, Russian American Foundation and the University of Delaware.
— Find out more:
www.nsliforyouth.org
While on the surface seems like a worthwhile scholarship I hope it doesn’t jeopardizes this young man’s safety while overseas in Morocco.
A bigger part of me since I’m from the Mainland in Florida where terrorists enroll in college or actually teach in the Sunshine State thinks this scholarship should be discontinued.
This is certainly a great opportunity. It’s experiences like this that help make the world a better place. Young people from around the world connecting and learning cross-culturally is always a positive experience. We wish this future Diplomat and Global Citizen all the luck in the world!
Btw: Morocco is an extremely safe country. I doubt the U.S. Government would send students to places that are unsafe. I’ve visit the country 4 times and love it!
little piece of shet kid is an alcoholic and a loser