William Goodman, a Greenwich High School junior, was awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarship to study in Shanghai this summer.
The NSLI-Y program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, provides merit-based scholarships for about 600 high school students to learn less commonly taught languages during summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs. The goal of the program is to increase Americans’ capacity to engage with native speakers of languages deemed critical to foreign relations. In addition to intense language instruction, the NSLI-Y program includes host family stays and community service work as important components. The scholarship covers the cost of travel, language class tuition (and related academic expenses), cultural activities, room and board, and secondary health benefits.
But this won’t be Goodman’s first trip to China. Last summer, Goodman spent six weeks in Beijing living with a host family and studying Mandarin at Beijing Normal High School through School Year Abroad. Goodman said that he’s excited about returning to China this summer – and to a completely different part of the country. “From spending the summer in China in an immersive environment, not only did I increase my linguistic skills to a level I didn’t even think possible, but I also met incredible people and made some great friends. It’s comforting to know that even on the other side of the world, there are people who know me and who would welcome me into their homes with open arms. Having the opportunity to repeat that kind of experience is really special. Oh, and of course the food is amazing!” he added.
Earlier this school year, Goodman was the only Connecticut student to be named a US-China Strong Student Ambassador. The US-China Strong Foundation leads a national movement to “ensure the next generation of US leaders is equipped to engage effectively with China and selects American students who have studied in China to serve as ambassadors at the grassroots level.” To fulfill their roles as US-China Strong Ambassadors, students must complete three outreach projects. For one of his projects, Goodman shared his experiences studying Chinese both here and abroad at a Central Middle School student assembly. “I am very grateful to have these opportunities and for the inspiration and support I’ve received from my GHS teachers – especially my Mandarin teachers Ms. Lin Young and Ms. Yuan Yuan.”
