Global Start Cantabria

Cornell Engineering has a long history of partnership with Universidad de Cantabria beginning with an exchange program developed by the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2007. Universidad de Cantabria is built around one of the oldest engineering programs in Spain, is a research university like Cornell, and has one of the highest faculty to student ratios (1:13) in all of Spain. The city of Santander offers the opportunity for a true immersion as there is no English-speaking expatriate community. 

Starting a first semester of college abroad may not be appropriate for many first-year students. But for a few, it may be a great option. Here are some reasons why: 

• Studying abroad can provide opportunities for students to broaden their horizons in ways that will help them be better prepared to take advantage of their university experience overall. 
• Engineering is increasingly international and multi-lingual. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world and the majority of the Global Start Cantabria participants—if not all—will gain functional fluency in Spanish.
• Students who might otherwise take a gap year can have their international experience within the structure and learning environment of a university.  
• For Engineers in particular, it can be easier to go abroad early in their time at Cornell because initial classes in their majors may be more standard across institutions than advanced classes.  

The University of Cantabria is located in Santander, Spain. Santander has a population of approximately 172,000. The city offers easy access to the rest of Spain and Europe by air, train, or bus. The airport at Bilbao is just over 60 miles away and has direct flights to much of Europe. Getting around Santander is easy with options such as busses, taxis, and rental bikes. Most locals explore the city by foot.  

Santander, in the north of Spain combines the best of both worlds with nearby mountain ranges and white sand beaches. The city contains an abundance of local cuisine associated with the local fishing district such as rabas and maganos, local cheeses, and regional specialties such as cocido. Apart from culinary attractions and architectural site seeing, Santander offers boat trips around the local bay, museums, and zoos.

A Cornell Engineering faculty member will be living in Santander and will be teaching at the University of Cantabria for the entirety of the fall semester. They will serve as your faculty advisor for the fall semester and as your main point of contact while you are abroad.

For Fall 2025 the Global Start Cantabria faculty member is Dr. Todd Cowen, Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the DeFrees Hydraulics Laboratory.  Professor Cowen has worked closely with Universidad de Cantabria for many years and will teach one of the Global Start Cantabria courses. Professor Cowen’s dedication to teaching excellence was recognized in 2021 when he received the College of Engineering Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Tucker Teaching Award.

Yes. Cornell Engineers admitted via Early Decision and Questbridge have the opportunity to apply for admission to the program. A cohort of approximately 20 students will be selected.  

Acceptance to the Global Start Cantabria Program would be for a student’s first fall semester of their entry year.  Deferring acceptance is not possible.  

The courses equivalent to CHEM 2090, MATH 1910, and ENGRI 1165 will be taught in English. Spanish language courses and some optional Liberal Studies courses will be taught in Spanish. 

Global Start Cantabria Program students will have a very similar first-semester schedule as students starting their first term at Cornell. Similar to students starting at Cornell, Global Start Cantabria Program students will take one science, one math, and one Introduction to Engineering course (CHEM 2090, MATH 1910, ENGRI 1165). Different from students starting at Cornell, Global Start Cantabria students will be enrolled in a Spanish language course (Liberal Studies). 

Global Start Cantabria Program students will wait to take their Introduction to Computing (CS111X) course in second semester Spring, as well as their ENGRG 1050: Engineering Seminar, first Physical Education (PE) course, and First-Year Writing Seminar (FWS), depending on student’s AP or transfer credit. They will complete the Cornell Swim Requirement upon their return during the Spring semester. Students will take another FWS in the fall semester of sophomore year, if applicable. 

Because students in this program will be required to take CHEM 2090 and MATH 1910 at the University of Cantabria, students expecting AP or transfer credit for these two courses will have to forfeit that AP credit and will not be approved to transfer this credit in.  Students are able to seek AP credit as per the Cornell Engineering’s AP Credit Table and are able to follow the Cornell Engineering’s Transfer Credit Application process for other coursework.

Global Start Cantabria Program students interested in placing out of appropriate coursework and earning credit through Cornell’s Advanced Standing Exams (CASE) will wait to take any CASEs of interest until they are offered again at the start of second semester spring, with the exception of the Computer Science CASE which is not offered in spring. Students interested in taking the Computer Science CASE should consult with Engineering Advising. Students cannot CASE out of CHEM 2090 and MATH 1910, as they must take these equivalent courses while abroad in the fall.

For your abroad credits to transfer back to Cornell, the equivalent to a U.S. grade of at least a C must be earned. Grades do not factor into the Cornell GPA. As noted above under Semester Schedule, courses will fulfill major and liberal arts degree requirements.

A grade of equivalent to a C or better is required in all classes in order to transfer them to the Cornell record and have them count toward degree requirements. Grades higher than a C may be required for affiliation in a student’s intended major program. S/U and/or Pass/Fail courses are not allowed. 

There may be extenuating circumstances that cause a student to have to drop a course. We highly recommend that students consult with Engineering Advising at Cornell before doing so. The expectation is for students to earn at least 12 credits for the semester to remain in good academic standing and make adequate progress toward degree requirements, as well as to stay in compliance with financial aid and international student Visa status, if applicable. 

Incomplete grades will not be awarded credit. If a grade of C- or lower is earned in the University of Cantabria courses, or if a course was taken pass/fail, the Cornell transcript will note zero (0) credit and a grade of “U” for unsatisfactory. 

The Cornell Engineering is partnering with the Education Abroad (EA) in the Office of Global Learning to support the program and facilitate onboarding and pre-departure tasks. After you commit, you will be introduced to an advisor in the EA office who will guide you through these processes and periodically check-in with you. The College of Engineering Advising Office will work with you on orientation to the college, course selection, and all other academic matters. 

Students will have full access to the Engineering Advising Office at Cornell Engineering and therefore their assigned staff professional academic advisor at Cornell, including virtual advising drop-in hours, scheduling individual advising meetings, and corresponding through email. Students will also be assigned to a faculty advisor from Cornell Engineering, who will be the faculty member on site at the University of Cantabria with them during fall semester. 

All first-year students will be required to have at least one virtual meeting with their assigned staff professional academic advisor during the fall semester and prior to pre-enroll for Cornell spring semester classes.

Prior to arrival, all students complete a robust Cornell and program-specific predeparture orientation. This includes engagement with the faculty member who will be on-site, and College of Engineering, Office of Global Learning, and University of Cantabria staff.

During the program the University of Cantabria provides a range of support services for international students, including academic and mental health support.

Finally, all study abroad programs and Cornell students are supported throughout the program by Global Cornell’s International Health Safety, and Security team and International SOS (ISOS). For more information, review the Education Abroad Travel, Health, and Safety page.  

Check back for a detailed program budget in early/mid-January.

Students will be billed regular Cornell tuition at the endowed college rate. Other Cornell billable costs will be for housing, meals, program field trips, local insurance, Spanish visa, and other non-tuition expenses.

In addition to the above billable costs, students will pay non-billable expenses prior to departure and once on-site, including international airfare, books and supplies, local transportation, and personal expenses.

Expect your total estimated cost of attendance for Global Start to be comparable to a regular on-campus semester. Estimate figures will be made available in January 2025.

Yes, if a student is eligible for financial aid, they will maintain their aid eligibility when they study abroad. Financial aid awards are adjusted to meet Global Start’s cost of attendance. The estimated family contribution to Cornell does not change.

A Global Start estimated budget will be provided to the Office of Financial Aid on the student’s behalf. Financial Aid will then use the cost estimates provided to repackage a student’s aid for their time abroad to meet the required costs of attendance and participation. Financial aid awards are adjusted in line with the higher or lower costs of the program. The family and student contribution will remain the same as on campus, regardless of the estimated cost of attendance.

Student federal work study is converted to a loan when studying abroad. Student’s may choose to take this amount out as a loan or not. If a student opts to decline the loan, alternative aid resources will not be available to replace that award.

The University of Cantabria aims to provide an inclusive and successful educational experience for students with disabilities. Students can learn more about their support and processes here.  They will need documentation from students before arrival.

Student Disability Services can provide an Accommodation letter indicating what accommodations a student would be entitled to at Cornell (as a reference) or they can send medical records securely upon request. For additional considerations, visit the Student Disability Services Study Abroad Page.

Cantabria’s International Relations Office (ORI) will support students and assist with such things as academic accommodation needs, mental health, academic support, and other support needs. Learn more about their support and processes here.

Whether students are on campus, traveling, or in their host country, they must uphold the Student Code of Conduct expected of all Cornellians. This Code relies on Cornell University Policy 6.4, Prohibited Discrimination, Protected-Status Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Assault and Violence. Any violations of Cornell's Student Code of Conduct that occur abroad and are reported to Education Abroad will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Selected students must also agree to behavioral expectations for study abroad.

Students will live in on-campus housing in the Spring semester.