about us
who we are
the gist
All members of CLSAS are alumni of the U.S. State Department-funded Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program. The CLS program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. It is supported in its implementation by American Councils for International Education and is an intensive language learning and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students.
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The Critical Language Scholarship Alumni Society (CLSAS) provides alumni with avenues for professional development, community engagement, and language retention. The association serves as an advocate for the continued advancement of critical language studies and cultural exchange in the US and abroad.
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The CLSAS Leadership Board is an all-volunteer group of CLS alumni. We work year-round to support and expand the CLS program's reach and impact.
The CLSAS Leadership Board works to build relationships with organizations to secure discounts and other benefits for CLS participants, such as travel or study materials. Additionally, we host conferences and other events to connect CLS alumni, foster a sense of community, and provide opportunities for continued learning and professional development.
your board members
our
pillars
Professional Development
Networking & Community Engagement
Language Retention
Continued Education
get to know us
​Founded in 2017 by a ragtag group of CLS alumni seeking to connect more with other CLS alums, CLSAS now represents the more than 9,000 alumni of the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program. Since our founding, CLSAS has worked to support our alumni in bridging the gap between their international exchange experience, careers, and furthering their academic opportunities.