How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before?

The National Security Language Initiative (NSLI-Y) consists of a 7 week program that gave me the opportunity to learn Arabic in an Arabic speaking country. Morocco. Not only did it give me the opportunity to strengthen your language skills by attending classes 5 days a week but it also gives you the opportunity to learn more about the culture of your country by living with a host family, going on 4 day trips with your cohort to a new city in Morocco, and going on explorations such as museums and cafes with friends.

What is a typical day like during your EP?

I wake up at 7:30am to get ready for school. I take a taxi with my roommate to the center and take Arabic classes until 1pm. I then have nap time/break where we eat lunch and some would also take naps in the nap room. After nap time ends, our cohort and some staff will either take us to a museum or have a lecture from guests that teach us more about Moroccan culture for an hour. After we have our excursion, my friends and I will go to a cafe to do some homework or just chill while also trying new Moroccan food and drinks. I then go home to my host family and have dinner together. We then sometimes watch movies together or play games. Lastly, I shower and get ready for bed.

What was the biggest challenge of your EP?

The biggest challenge of my EP was adjusting to a new family and environment and lifestyle. For example, I usually ate dinner at around 7pm in my usual lifestyle. In Morocco, we would have dinner the earliest at 1am. In addition, living with a host family was very new in the beginning and challenging because it was my first time living anywhere without my parents but it turned out to be an amazing experience.

What was the biggest reward of your EP?

My biggest reward was getting to know and be friends with people that came from all different kinds of backgrounds and cultures. These people that I’ve spent almost 2 months with became another family to me. My EP also rewarded me with more independence and getting to know myself more.

What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?

I wish I knew more about Moroccan culture and language before I went on my EP because I feel like it would’ve been more helpful with my language skills and my everyday life.

What advice do you have for future SEO scholars who are considering your EP?

Do it!!! NSLI-Y was the best experience I’ve had in my life, especially it being my first time being away from my family. NSLI-Y never made me feel homesick because they made me feel like they were my family. Meeting new people that become a really big part of your life was the best part of this experience. If I could relive this experience, I would do it in the blink of an eye.