The U.S. Department of State Announces Scholarships for American High School Students to Study Abroad

The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)

The NSIL-Y program offers merit-based scholarships to study one of seven critical foreign languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian and Turkish.
The program is designed to immerse participants in the cultural life of the host country, provide formal and informal language practice, and spark a lifetime interest in foreign languages and cultures.
The application deadline for summer 2015 and academic year 2015-2016 programs is October 30, 2014. Visit the NSLI for Youth website for more information.

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad Program

This program offers merit-based scholarships to spend an academic year in countries that may include Bosnia & Herzegovina, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Oman, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, and Turkey.
This program increases understanding between people in the United States and people in countries with significant Muslim populations. Students live with host families, attend local high schools, do community service, and complete a capstone project.
Applications for academic year 2015-16 programs are due January 7, 2015. Visit the YES Abroad website for more information.

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX)

This program offers merit-based scholarships to spend an academic year in Germany.
The program was established in 1983 to celebrate German-American friendship based on common values of democracy. Students live with host families, attend local schools, and participate in community life in Germany.
For more information and application deadlines, visit the organization in charge of recruitment for your state.