CLS International Alumni Seminars

The U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is excited to announce two seminar opportunities in 2024: the CLS Media Literacy and Democracy Seminar in South Korea and the CLS STEM Entrepreneurship Seminar in Brazil.

The overseas seminars will host up to 25 CLS alumni for a hands-on and interactive weeklong seminar featuring topic experts, site visits, cultural activities, and opportunities designed to foster professional networks of CLS alumni engaged in key U.S./Department of State foreign policy goals.

The deadline to apply for the 2024 international alumni seminar has closed.  

• CLS Media Literacy and Democracy Seminar

  Location: Gwangju, South Korea
  Host: Chonnam National University (CNU)
  Dates: October 25 - November 2, 2024, inclusive of travel date

  The CLS Media Literacy and Democracy Seminar will host approximately 25 CLS alumni to explore the topic of media literacy and democracy. Participants will examine the challenges facing democracy in complex geopolitical landscapes through engagement with the partner institute, Chonnam National University (CNU), and the larger community including meeting with local scholars and experts. In addition to learning about South Korea’s efforts to combat disinformation and to promote media literacy education, seminar participants will also further their professional networks both with Korean counterparts and among fellow seminar participants.

  The seminar will focus on media literacy initiatives in journalism and communication, education, and government. These topics often intersect with the promotion of democratic values on both the local and global levels, a topic of particular relevance in an era of increased geopolitical tensions. The Center for Media Education at CNU will contribute to discussions on responsible engagement with the media and efforts for developing and implementing effective media literacy initiatives.

• CLS STEM Entrepreneurship Seminar

  Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  Host: Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio)
  Dates: December 7 – 14, 2024, inclusive of travel dates

  The CLS STEM Entrepreneurship Seminar will host approximately 25 CLS alumni currently working in and/or aspiring to pursue careers in STEM entrepreneurship. Participants will learn about STEM-focused entrepreneurship in Rio de Janeiro through engagement with the partner institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), and within the larger community. In addition to learning about Brazilian leadership in these areas, seminar participants will also further their professional networks both with Brazilian counterparts and among fellow participants. 

  The seminar will focus on business and entrepreneurship in medical, environmental, and technical fields, and how these topics intersect with social issues.  PUC-Rio’s current institutional focus is on biodomes, including in the Amazon and PUC-Rio's leadership in the field of STEM Entrepreneurship is supported by the university’s Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation and an on-campus start-up incubator.

Eligibility

Applicants from all CLS Program years, modalities, and languages are welcome to apply. 

To be eligible for the International Alumni Seminars, applicants must: 

• Be an alumnus/a in good standing with the CLS Program (i.e., have successfully completed the CLS Program and all post-program requirements); 
• Be available for the full duration of the seminar dates, including travel dates; and 
• Demonstrate a connection to the seminar topic through relevant academic, work and/or volunteer experience. 

The following persons are ineligible: 

• Employees of the U.S. Department of State who work in offices under the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs, in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), for a period ending one year following the termination of such employment;
• Employees of American Councils for International Education or other private and public agencies under contract or grant with the U.S. Department of State who perform services related to the Critical Language Scholarship Program, for a period ending one year following the termination of their services; or
• Immediate family members (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of the individuals described in the above paragraphs, for a period ending one year following the termination of such employment or service. This provision does not disqualify self-supporting members of families who live apart from their parents. These provisions do not extend to part-time or temporary employees, consultants, or interns of the U.S. Department of State (including at U.S. Embassies and Consulates), or to contract employees of the U.S. Department of State, unless such persons perform services related to the Critical Language Scholarship Program

These provisions do not extend to part-time or temporary employees, consultants, or interns of the U.S. Department of State (including at U.S. Embassies and Consulates), or to contract employees of the U.S. Department of State, unless such persons perform services related to the Critical Language Scholarship Program.

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the seminars in mid-August. 

Participants selected for the CLS International Alumni Seminars will receive: 

• Admission to all CLS International Alumni Seminars’ events and activities 
• International and domestic travel between the participant’s home city and the CLS seminar site; 
• Housing accommodations during the duration of the seminar dates; 
• Travel stipend to support program-related travel expenses and meals within the host country. 

Please note that other expenses such as, but not limited to, will NOT be covered: 

• U.S. passport fees (except for alumni selected to receive CLS Passport Assistance* in cases of exceptional need); 
• Cost of any immunizations required for entry, as well as costs for travel health clinic appointments; 
• Additional personal travel or activities outside of official seminar programming.

*The CLS Program may be able to provide limited reimbursement funds to support U.S. passport procurement for CLS alumni who demonstrate exceptional financial need. At the time of notification, finalists will receive information on applying for CLS Passport Assistance.

Contact Information: Please direct any questions you have regarding the alumni seminars or application process to clsalumni@americancouncils.org.