Languages
Russian
Astrakhan, Russia

Astrakhan, Russia

Institute: Stony Brook University

Stories

CLS Alumni Highlight: Sam Bowden

Alumni Impact

Feb 05, 2026

Sam Bowden (2024 CLS Russian) leveraged his interests to build meaningful international connections and launch a career in foreign policy.

The Critical Importance of Learning a Foreign Language in the Military

Alumni Impact

Mar 06, 2025

This blog is written by CLS alumnus Hyunbean Park, an Army Officer and alumnus of the 2024 CLS Russian Program.

CLS Alumnus Begins Life as Rhodes Scholar

Alumni Impact

Jan 06, 2025

CLS Russian scholar begins his graduate studies as a Rhodes Scholar.

Navigating Vegetarianism & Veganism in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

CLS Perspectives

Mar 15, 2024

When CLS Russian students, Raven and Valentina, first learned they’d be studying in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, they were ecstatic.

CLS Student Spotlight: Thai Nguyen

CLS Perspectives

Sep 20, 2023

An interview with 2023 CLS Scholar Thai Nguyen on his CLS Russian language journey, first online and later overseas in in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Building Mutual Understanding Between Kyrgyz and American Students Through Language Partners

CLS Perspectives

Aug 07, 2023

Meet Critical Language Scholarship Russian language partner, Mirlan Ulanov!

From Future Leaders Exchange Program Alumna to CLS Language Partner

CLS Perspectives

Jul 27, 2023

Meet CLS Russian language partner, Arina Turgunbekova! For the last three summers, Arina has volunteered as a language partner for CLS.

CLS Alumni Spotlight: Lucy Minicozzi-Wheeland on Navigating Mental Health & Studying Abroad

Alumni Impact

May 31, 2023

Meet CLS alumna, expert on Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, and world traveler, Lucy Minicozzi-Wheeland!

CLS Refresh Spotlight: Samuel Hotop

Alumni Impact

Nov 26, 2021

The CLS Team connects with Samuel Hotop (CLS Refresh 2021) on the intersection of Russian language and technology.

The CLS Program at the Annual ACTFL Conference

Alumni Impact

Nov 22, 2019

The CLS Program reconnected with alumni who went on to enter the education and language services field.