Congratulations to the approximately 315 U.S. undergraduate and graduate students selected for the 2026 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program! We commend all applicants for their commitment to critical language study and congratulate the finalists and alternates selected from an exceptionally…
CLS Program News — February 25, 2026
Addison Miller, a 2024 CLS Chinese Program participant in New Taipei City, Taiwan, leveraged her experience to shape her path toward a career in international and comparative education. Her CLS experience played a pivotal role in connecting her academic interests with real-world experience. In 2026…
CLS Program News — February 17, 2026
Sam Bowden, a 2024 CLS Russian Program participant in Tbilisi, Georgia, leveraged his personal and academic interests in Russian language, literature, and geopolitics to build meaningful international connections and launch a career in foreign policy. His experiences with CLS helped bridge the gap …
CLS Program News — February 05, 2026
For Olivia Blackmon, studying Modern Languages at WKU didn’t just enrich her worldview—it opened unexpected doors and shaped every step of her professional journey.
CLS in the Press — January 22, 2026
Lucas San Miguel is Emory’s 12th Schwarzman Scholar. Shown during his time as a Robert T. Jones Scholar at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, he will now spend a year in China pursuing a master’s degree in global affairs.
CLS in the Press — January 15, 2026
Alex Graber is a Biology major at Vassar College in New York. Alex participated in the 2025 CLS Japanese Program hosted by Okayama University in Okayama, Japan. This past summer, I participated in the CLS program at Okayama University in Okayama, Japan. I am currently an undergraduate student at V…
CLS Program News — January 12, 2026
Help celebrate 20 years of CLS and help shape its future by taking the Long-Term Impact Survey today! The impact of study abroad and language learning often unfolds years later - in careers, communities, and opportunities. As the CLS Program honors its 20th anniversary in 2026, your input matters …
CLS Program News — January 05, 2026
Lucas San Miguel’s journey with the CLS Program has come full circle. Four years after his first CLS experience as a college freshman studying Chinese virtually from Nicaragua, Lucas recently completed a second program—this time in Rio de Janeiro. Over several weeks, he balanced intensive Portugues…
CLS Program News — January 05, 2026
Join the next generation of CLS alumni leaders! If you’re a 2025 alum eager to build community, spread the word about CLS, and develop your leadership skills, apply to become a 2026 CLS Alumni Ambassador! Applications are due at 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, January 11! 2026 Alumni Ambassadors are selec…
CLS Program News — December 19, 2025
Kenyon graduate Sam Bowden has been awarded a coveted 2026 Marshall Scholarship to study in the United Kingdom.
CLS in the Press — December 15, 2025
A Program of the 
