Winifred Bodin, a senior at Benjamin Logan High School, is heading to Morocco this summer to study Arabic, thanks to a highly competitive scholarship from the U.S. Department of State.
Bodin is one of just 440 students selected nationwide to receive the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI‑Y) scholarship, which promotes the study of critical languages including Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and others. Thousands of students from across the country applied.
Winifred will be in Morocco from June 19 to August 1, 2025.
During her time abroad, she will live with a host family, take intensive language classes, and engage with local students and the broader community, fully immersing herself in Moroccan culture.
She will also serve as a citizen ambassador, helping to foster cross-cultural understanding between the U.S. and Morocco.
NSLI‑Y was launched in 2006 to increase the number of young Americans fluent in languages critical to U.S. national security and global competitiveness.
Many alumni go on to pursue careers in government, diplomacy, global business, and education, often crediting the program with sharpening their leadership and intercultural communication skills.
The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by American Councils for International Education in partnership with organizations like AFS-USA, Amideast, and the University of Delaware.
Applications for next year’s NSLI-Y scholarships open each fall at www.nsliforyouth.org.
In addition to sending U.S. students abroad, the State Department also offers opportunities for American families to host international exchange students—an experience described as transformative for all involved.
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