In celebration of Exchange Day, a nationwide celebration of the power of international exchange, we are sharing impact stories from iEARN exchange program alumni.  Simone is an alumna of The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, which provides merit-based scholarships for eligible high school aged students to learn critical languages in summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs. Learn more about the NSLI-Y Program by visiting: https://www.nsliforyouth.org.

When I was seventeen, I was selected along with ten other American teenagers to accept the NSLI-Y scholarship, an intensive language learning program sponsored by the U.S. State Department to promote critical languages to American youth. I participated in the Korean language program which included an academic year stay at a Korean high school, intensive after school language classes, and accommodations with a homestay family.

"When I was seventeen, I was selected along with ten other American teenagers to accept the NSLI-Y scholarship, an intensive language learning program sponsored by the U.S. State Department to promote critical languages to American youth." 

This chapter of my life began with new changes and personal challenges. My housing accommodations unexpectedly changed throughout the program living with a total of five families within the ten-month program. Despite feeling mentally prepared for whatever came my way, physically the experience began to take its toll. My immune system was shutting down, and I became sick often. There was also constant pressure to continue advancing in the language, and many of us had the unrealistic goal of native level fluency by the end of the program. I also put immense pressure on myself to use every moment exploring or learning something new, which quickly became more stressful than stress relieving.

However, the relationships I made on program helped push me forward. Prior to departure, I was able to connect with my NSLI-Y cohort through the Korean messaging app Kakao, where we naturally built what would become a very strong relationship. We would often share our desires and struggles on program which tightly bonded us, leading us to build a family of NSLIYians. A part of that family were the implementing organizations Better World and iEARN-USA. Program staff from both organizations met with me several times in person, on Skype, or on the phone at all hours of the night to provide support, and work with me to find solutions to my challenges. 

The relationships I made with my host families, classmates, friends, and everyday people reaffirmed my passion for studying the language. Anytime I introduced myself in the Korean language to native speakers I was met with open arms and strong words of encouragement that was obvious to anyone who witnessed to be genuine affection.  Even today, when I meet Korean native speakers in New York I am met with elation and words of thanks. In fact, one of my closest friends today is Korean, whom I met on chance encounter on the MTA. The second she introduced herself, I knew she was Korean from her name and when I asked if she was in Korean and she was so shocked she walked into a pole. We have been inseparable since.

"The relationships I made with my host families, classmates, friends, and everyday people reaffirmed my passions for studying the language."

I never dreamed of life in an Asian country let alone learning their language as second to my own. This experience added another level of cultural and linguistic influence to my identity that has changed my thoughts and perspectives greatly.  Firstly, the exposure to a new culture and language allowed me to learn words and phrases in the Korean language that cannot simply be translated into English.  As I began to learn different ideas and ways of expression, I was able to deeply reflect on my own identity as a Jamaican American, with new vocabulary that allowed me to grow into my person, as well as developing an understanding, and appreciation for the Korean culture. I would encourage all students, teachers, parents, and every and anybody to complete an exchange. I especially encourage high school seniors to take a gap year and study abroad as it will allow you to venture into new experiences, and perspectives outside of yourself.

It is important as youth that we are allowed to take a step back and reflect on our experiences thus far, and what we hope to experience in our futures. It is important that we are able to explore our ideas, pains, biases, and ‎naïveté, so that as we change course into adulthood we are better prepared for whatever obstacles “adulting” may come with.  This is an experience you cannot get from a book, a tweet, a Pinterest board, or a YouTube video. This is something one must directly experience for themselves so they are able to become better acquainted with who they are and their global community.

Studying abroad changed the direction of my life. I was in my senior year of high school preparing to take the SAT exam for the last time when I learned of the NSLI-Y program. It was less than a week before the application deadline when I learned of the opportunity, and though it felt impossible at the time. I’m so glad I jumped at the opportunity, and am thankful to have been accepted into a program that has completely opened my mind and gave me opportunities that I didn’t know existed. I was a part of the documentary, “The Smartest Kids In The World” based off the NYT best-selling book of the same name, which captured the experience of myself and four other students on exchanges around the world. This allowed us to share our viewpoints as students on the U.S. high school education system, as well as the educational practices in the countries that hosted us.

"I’m so glad I jumped at the opportunity, and am thankful to have been accepted into a program that has completely opened my mind and gave me opportunities that I didn’t know existed."

Today, I am a rising Junior at the University of  Albany’s Honors College studying Business Marketing and Management with a minor in the Korean language. I am a student assistant at the Center for International Education and Global Strategy at my university where I help international students and scholars, and those interested in studying abroad, find resources that suit their needs. I also volunteer as a teaching assistant for adult learners interested in the Korean language once a week. I would not have become involved in most of these things if it were not for the opportunities presented by the NSLI-Y program—it has helped me come more into myself and allowed me to share my experiences with others. This summer, I am helping to further the mission of Exchange Day through a summer internship with iEARN-USA which has allowed me to learn about the preparation behind exchanges.  This has further motivated my reasons for the value of international education. I hope to study abroad again in the future, and I hope that anyone who is interested in exchange would take the chance at least once.