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Lincoln Smith ’27 Selected for State Department Language Program

4/23/2026

Elise Burke Parcha

At the center of Lincoln Smith ’27’s next adventure is a passport and a purpose! This year, Lincoln was selected as a finalist for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), a highly selective, merit-based program funded by the U.S. Department of State. The program provides full scholarships for high school students to study languages identified as critical to national security and global economic engagement.

Through NSLI-Y, students engage in full linguistic and cultural immersion: studying abroad, living with host families, and developing the kind of cross-cultural fluency that extends beyond the classroom. For Lincoln, that means six weeks in Taipei, Taiwan this summer, where he will study Mandarin Chinese.

Lincoln’s “interest in language stems from a goal to understand different cultures and eventually apply that to a government role,” grounded in the belief that “to understand yourself and the world around you, one must seek new perspectives and traditions.” For Lincoln, language is not simply a subject of study, but a tool for meaningful engagement in a world becoming increasingly more interconnected.

After applying in the fall, Lincoln advanced to semifinalist status in December, completing additional assessments and interviews before being named a finalist for the program in March. Lincoln notes that the application process “took great effort,” and he credits Sanford teachers with making “the journey much easier,” supporting both his writing and application materials.

The NSLI-Y program represents a critical step toward Lincoln's long-term goals in diplomacy and a deeper understanding of the world he hopes to serve. As he prepares for a summer abroad, Lincoln approaches the experience as both a Sanford scholar and a global citizen, adding a summer in Taipei to what promises to be a life of meaningful service.

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