NSLI-Y Latvia 2022 – Week 1
Greetings from sunny Riga! My name is Karen, and I am the resident director of this year’s NSLI-Y program in Latvia. I will be posting photos from the program each week to give you an idea of how the students are spending their summer.
I am happy to report that our travel to Latvia went smoothly and that our NSLI-Y students have settled into their host families and classes. Here are some highlights from the first week of our program.
Students began their program with a visit to the U.S. Embassy in Riga. At the Embassy, we received a safety briefing, learned more about careers in the State Department, discussed the state of American-Latvian relations.
The students quickly settled into the schedule at school. They have language classes in the morning, then eat lunch together at a nearby café. After lunch, students listen to guest speakers, participate in peer language activities, or spend time with their host families.
Classes are held at the Baltic Center for Educational and Academic Development.
Katie and Andrea review their homework with their teacher, Antonina.
As Alex and Zachary will attest, intensive language study requires a lot of focus and determination.
Zoey and Regina review class materials.
Shelby and Neva are enjoying their language classes.
Lunch is served at a nearby cafe. At lunchtime, students are introduced to Latvian cuisine: soups, stewed meats, fresh salads, and typical sides dishes such as potatoes, rice, noodles, or buckwheat.
Ally, Zoey, Laurin and Helen are ready for lunch!
After class and on weekends, students spend time with their host families.
Laurin and her host mother, Irina.
Katie meeting her host mother, Ludmila.
Neva and with her host mother and host brothers at Rundale Palace.
On Saturday, students enjoyed a guided walking tour of Old Riga.
Livu Square.
Learning about the history of Old Riga.
One of the famous cat statues of Riga.
Stay tuned for more photos next week!