<p>@nagela You’ve taken the interview before, right? Any tips?</p>
<p>@Nagela: You’re going to learn so much! Are you thinking about prepping with the language before you leave?
@Bzuni: The fact that you got semi-finalist is already a step in the right direction! I’ve heard that the interview doesn’t have as much of a role as your essays did for your application. I’m just burying myself in schoolwork and activities so I don’t dwell on NSLI-Y stress :P</p>
<p>Definitely, as soon as I finish college apps and scholarships/FASFA/CSS Profile info… ew. I think it is quite amazing how much you can learn from just being in the country, which is what makes this program so great! If I am accepted, I want to go in with a little bit of knowledge, at least.</p>
<p>What states are you all from that have recieved your letters of notification of semi-finalist status? They send them out by state, and I’m curious to know if they have sent Kentucky’s out yet. Thanks!</p>
<p>@Bzuni13. Sorry this is so late. Really make sure you portray yourself as who you are… not who you think they’re looking for. I think last year, I may have over-prepped for the interview. I know this sound cliche, but just be yourself! You are probably more unique and different than you think. Highlight your positive qualities, and spin your not-so-positive ones so they don’t sound as bad. Lastly, really try to connect with your interviewer. Make them comfortable too. I think if you do that, you will have a great interview! Good luck :)</p>
<p>@Ashbry8: I don’t know about Kentucky, sorry 
I’m in WA state. I hope you get an acceptance letter soon!</p>
<p>I am a semifinalist but have yet to be notified for an interview. I am waiting for the fifteenth so I can contact them.</p>
<p>I’m waiting for an exact interview schedule too. I got an email telling me that I will most likely have a home interview with my brother, who applied for China Summer. Last year, I went to a church to have my interview…agh, I hope that the home interview isn’t much different ._.</p>
<p>Hey! I applied for the summer 2013 program too, and I’m a semi-finalist right now! My interview is this Saturday. I’m hoping to get into the Arabic program with Turkish & Russian as my second & third choices.</p>
<p>nkaushi,</p>
<p>How did your interview go? What was it like and what kind of questions did they ask? I am applying for the China year program and my interview is this weekend!</p>
<p>ameripen,</p>
<p>Did you have your interview? how was it?</p>
<p>wrestler, you will get questions about situations in which you’ve faced a challenge, and how you would communicate with your host family if things weren’t going perfectly. The interviewer should encourage you to take your time and not stress out if you don’t think of the perfect example to give right off the bat. As others have said, it should be a pretty casual thing.</p>
<p>I participated in the Arabic Program with NSLI-Y last year. They sent me to Morocco, which is likely the destination for the 2013-2014 programs. I felt EXTREMELY SAFE. I was in the city of Rabat. Most homes in the city has windows that had bars designed into them. So metal rods protect people from getting in. Besides that though, the people are really nice. If you are a girl,it’s a bit sketchier, but even then, all altercations during the trip involving girls were pretty minor, like being hit on or briefly followed (they advise you to travel in groups and with a guy). The people are used to seeing tourists, so you don’t really stand out all that much. Also, the families they chose were all really nice and very open, and many have already hosted students before. Morocco is relatively stable compared to the rest of the region, so it’s almost like being in Europe, except with people speaking Arabic and French, and some Spanish, and with mosques everywhere. The people are very open. I am white and a new convert to Islam. I was concerned entering a mosque for the first time, but the people didn’t even think twice about it when they saw me. Also, the program makes you be with a mentor/adviser for most of the trip and you can only leave the city on approved trips with your host family (I got to visit Marrakech with my family, it was awesome). All people involved have to go through extensive background checks and tend to be middle class to wealthy. They want to make your trip fun and educational, and they’ve done a great job keeping things safe. You even have a safety briefing with some guy that works at the US embassy on the first day you arrive in the country. The only time I felt unsafe was during a hiking trip and I fell behind everyone and we were high up in some cliffs and some guys kept rushing past me and almost knocking me over trying to get around me. However, that was only because I’m terrified of heights and was moving extremely slowly over the mountain haha. Tell your parents not to worry! I applied for a year program and am now super determined to work in the region as a translator. My summer program showed me that it really is something safe and amazing and that the region has been stereotyped as unsafe. Morocco is very safe and stable right now, so don’t worry :)</p>
<p>Kitkat, if you applied for a summer, they’ll give you that. Chances are it will be in Morocco again, but they don’t let you choose. It’s very likely it’s Morocco due to the Syrian problem spilling into Syria and the renewed unrest in Egypt.</p>
<p>Hey wrestler, I’m applying for China year too! Do you have any previous experience with Chinese?</p>
<p>wrestler96, really delayed response, but anoulih is spot on. I assume you have already had your interview and don’t have much to add; the interviewer was chill. </p>
<p>Has anyone got decisions yet?</p>
<p>ameripen, I wish. Last year I got my notification on like April 12th. I’m wondering if the year applicants will be notified earlier or later, or around the same time.</p>
<p>Hi everyone! I’m from Minnesota and didn’t get my notifications (yet). Anyone else from Minnesota? :)</p>