by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

For the past five years, Claremont resident Siddharth Garimella has been building his fluency in Mandarin Chinese, the latest language in his arsenal that already includes English and Hindi.

While it started as a passion project, the rising Webb Schools junior now has a chance to put his knowledge to use — and to the test — with a six-week stay in Taiwan, courtesy of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth summer program.

“I’m really excited,” the 16-year-old said prior to his June 22 departure. “It’s an amazing opportunity for me to just continue exploring and learning the language. It feels crazy. I haven’t fully processed the fact that I’m going to be alone and traveling abroad. I’m just super excited.”

(L-R) Gary, Siddharth and Anu Garimella pictured prior to Siddharth departing for Taiwan on June 22 to study Mandarin Chinese as part of the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth summer program. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Siddharth began serious study of Mandarin in 2021, but the seeds were planted nearly a decade ago.

“When I was in first grade, so around 6 years old, I remember my sister started taking Mandarin when she started middle school,” Siddharth said. “I was really fascinated by the way that she was writing because I thought it was almost like art. That was something that really, really fascinated me. So when I got to sixth grade myself, I decided to take it up, and I realized it was a lot more than I had initially expected.”

Mandarin is what Siddharth described as a tonal language, meaning words can mean different things depending on emphasis. He uses a mix of flashcards, classroom learning, and language exercises to keep his skills sharp, and said thinking in Mandarin also aids in retention.

About 280 high schoolers nationwide were selected for the annual scholarship program through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Launched in 2006, the program allows students to study Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Russian, “critical languages necessary to strengthen the United States’ national security and economic competitiveness,” according to the program’s website, nsliforyouth.org.

Siddharth’s parents, Gary and Anu Garimella, are understandably thrilled.

“It’s going to be I’m sure a life changing experience, because you can learn the language in the classroom, but this is very different from that,” Anu Garimella said. “I think he will grow as far as the language goes.”

Gary Garimella echoed his wife’s assessment.

“Language is such an important part of communication, especially if you have a global perspective, because not only is it a window into communication, but it is kind of a getting into the door with the culture,” Gary Garimella said. “We are very proud parents; there’s no denying that.”

The selection process was competitive, as the program receives thousands of applicants from around the country. “It’s sort of like a college application the way it was structured,” Siddharth said. Applications were due in November 2025 and follow-up interviews were done over the winter. Siddharth learned he was chosen for the Mandarin Chinese program in March. He will now add a unique achievement to his resume: “United States citizen diplomat.”

The ambitious teen is studying at National Tsing Hua University, a public research institution in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Placed with a host family, his weekday work will include four hours of language learning at the university along with a mix of cultural activities and homework. Weekend excursions with the group and host family are also planned.

The trip comes at a critical time as relations between the U.S., China, and Taiwan are tense. The Chinese government has viewed Taiwan, an island some 70 miles off its coast, as part of its mainland since 1949, despite Taiwan having declared its independence at the end of the Chinese Civil War that same year. Both are strategic trade partners with the U.S., which must toe a fine line with both superpower China and Taiwan, the world’s leading semiconductor and processing chip producer.

His parents are mindful of the delicate nature of the relationship, but are confident their son will be safe.

“We have an enormous confidence in the U.S. government and the State Department to take care of its people and not put them, especially young children, in harm’s way,” Gary Garimella said. “They would have converted this into a virtual program in a heartbeat if they thought there was even a remote threat of anything happening. So from that perspective, I don’t think we are worried. We are aware, but we are not worried.”

A self-described science, technology, engineering and math devotee with an interest in computers, Siddharth said he is eager to view the country’s chip manufacturing process. “I’m very excited for that and that’s also a reason why I continue learning Chinese,” he said.

When he’s not studying, Siddharth enjoys soccer, playing guitar, and 3D modeling, a field he may explore one day. He’s also a CIF-SS Division 9 wining baseball player with Webb and an international student liaison.

He is due to return from Taiwan August 8, days before the start of his junior year at Webb.