After a highly competitive, months-long selection process, Nitin Reddy Mali ’27 has been named a finalist for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), a prestigious, merit-based scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Mali is one of about 60 students nationwide selected from more than 1,000 applicants.

During the seven-week program, Mali will complete a minimum of 120 hours of intensive Chinese language instruction at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. Beyond the classroom, he will live with a host family, participate in cultural activities, collaborate with peer language partners and complete immersive assignments designed to deepen his linguistic and cultural understanding. Prior to departure, he will attend a pre-program orientation with fellow cohort members in Washington, D.C. in June.

NSLI-Y provides American high school students the opportunity to study critical languages abroad, strengthening the nation’s global engagement, national security and economic competitiveness. Mali joins a distinguished group of past recipients from the Chinese program at Bolles, including Olivia Morello ’18, Lara Morello ’21 and Noah Wasserman ’26. #BulldogProud