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Posted by Atascadero News | Jul 23, 2025
ATASCADERO — Ella Robertson, an incoming senior at Atascadero High School, has been selected as one of only 440 students nationwide to receive a 2025 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI‑Y) scholarship, a highly competitive program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This summer, Ella will travel to Latvia to study Russian, live with a host family, and serve as a citizen ambassador while immersing herself in the local culture.
Ella’s passion for international affairs began early in her high school career through a Model United Nations course, where she gained firsthand experience by traveling to New York to participate in an international competition at the United Nations headquarters. Inspired by that experience, she became involved with Girl Security, a nonprofit that mentors young women pursuing national security careers. Through Girl Security, she was paired with a mentor who encouraged her to apply for the NSLI‑Y program.
Last summer, Ella furthered her interest in global security and intelligence by participating in the National Student Leadership Council’s National Security and Intelligence program at Georgetown University. These opportunities have shaped her long-term goal of working in Human Intelligence (HUMINT) at the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency.
Looking ahead, Ella plans to attend Biola University after graduation to double major in psychology and criminology and minor in Russian and theology — studies that align with her aspiration to serve her country in the field of national security.
Launched in 2006, NSLI‑Y increases the number of Americans with critical language skills, such as Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, and Turkish, to strengthen U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. While abroad, NSLI‑Y students gain invaluable cross-cultural communication skills and leadership experience that often shape their academic and professional futures.
NSLI‑Y is administered by American Councils for International Education in cooperation with AFS‑USA, American Cultural Exchange Service, Amideast, iEARN‑USA, Stony Brook University, and the University of Delaware.
For more information about NSLI‑Y and how to apply, visit nsliforyouth.org
To learn more about hosting an international exchange student, visit exchanges.state.gov
Feature Image: Ella Robertson, incoming senior at Atascadero High School, will travel to Latvia this summer to study Russian and immerse herself in local culture thanks to a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarship. Contributed photo
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