Two students were accepted into the NSLI-Y Intensive Language Program where they will be able to study a foreign language abroad for a year. The program is organized by the US State Department and has been given students the opportunity to further their proficiency in a foreign language since 2006. Senior Luke Wagner will be going to Turkey to study language and culture, while senior Leo Wagner was accepted to the year-long immersion experience in Morocco but has decided to go to Naval Academy instead. 

After being attracted to the program via an email sent from Director of Global Education Rob Chura, the two Wagners—who are not related—applied for the chance to study a language abroad. 

The two students had participated in a similar language intensive program over the summer last year, where they would have been able to spend only two months abroad, but Covid-19 intervened and the program was forced online.

“I applied my junior year, I got in that year, and I was supposed to go to Morocco for about two months to study Arabic, but obviously that was cancelled once Covid and everything started,” said Leo Wagner. “So it was a virtual program, And I still learned a lot, but I don’t think it offered the same cultural opportunities as what I would have had if I would have been able to go abroad.”

Luke Wagner will be spending next year in Turkey. Although Luke applied early decision to American University in Washington D.C., he will be deferring the year for the program. 

“The main goal of the program is to learn the Turkish language and then also to connect with Turkish people,” said Luke. “I'll have 10 hours of language instruction a week and then I'll also be going to a local high school in whatever city I'm placed in, taking high school classes. And then once I get out of my high school classes, I'll head over to the language institute and take two hours of class then be done at 5 p.m.”

Students who applied for the summer abroad program that the two Wagners participated in will find out later today if they have been accepted in the program.