Karina Torres Figueroa, a recent graduate of Cypress Bay High School and member of the Weston University program’s class of 2024, has been awarded a scholarship from the US State Department to study Russian in Latvia this summer. Karina was one of 440 students selected from thousands of high school applicants across the nation to participate in the National Security Language Initiative for Youth program. The program was launched in 2006 as a US government initiative to increase the number of young Americans with critical language skills. While in Latvia, Karina will live with a host family, immerse in the local culture and represent American culture as a citizen ambassador. 

Karina will be attending the University of Florida this fall and plans to major in Geography and minor in East-Central European Studies. She would like to focus on learning Russian and Polish. Her career aspirations include to become a U.S. Diplomat and to integrate GIS (geographic information systems) into international policy to address issues such as climate change, resource distribution and humanitarian aid. In addition to her participation in Weston University as a junior in high school, she also founded and was president of the Cypress Bay Geography Club, was Co-President of the school's Model United Nations team, earning seven awards at major competitions, among several other highlights and honors. 

Karina embodies the nature of the Weston University program. We wish her much success as she continues on her journey in higher education, and ultimately her career. 

About the National Security Language Intiative for Youth Program 

Many NSLI‑Y alumni go on to pursue education and careers vital to U.S national security and credit the program experience with helping them improve their cross-cultural communication and leadership skills. NSLI‑Y is administered by American Councils for International Education in cooperation with AFS‑USA, American Cultural Exchange Service, Amideast, iEARN‑USA, Stony Brook University, and the University of Delaware. 

Applications for NSLI‑Y programs are available at www.nsliforyouth.org each fall.