Since 1954, CALS has offered their students unique opportunities to study abroad via the CALS Exchange program. CALS students are able to internationalize their academic experience by integrating themselves into a partner university abroad, taking classes and living alongside degree-seeking students. The CALS Exchange programs are rooted in, and in many cases designed by, CALS faculty affiliated to an international academic institution or university department that complements your academic program. Students who have previously gone on exchange have found it to be a rewarding experience as it has added an international dimension to their degree, challenged them academically and facilitated the development of new skills, and enhanced their personal growth and self-confidence.

NUS is a Cornell Global Hub partner university. Global Hubs are Cornell's collaborative centers of engagement around the world. Hubs will give students exciting opportunities for semester-long and short-term study abroad, field experience, participation in faculty-led research, curricular pathways through majors, internships, and more.

This exchange program is recommended for undergraduate students majoring in Biology, Development Sociology, Entomology, Environment and Sustainability, Food Science, Landscape Architecture, or Plant Science. Students in majors outside of those recommended may also be able to participate, depending on your interests and academic needs.

What is unique about the program?

A leading global university centered in Asia, the National University of Singapore (NUS) offers a global approach to education and research with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. NUS was founded in 1905 and is today Singapore’s flagship university, widely seen as among the best universities in Asia and the world. According to the Times Higher Education World University Ranking, NUS is 3rd in Asia and 25th in the world. 

NUS offers a distinctively Asian and global experience that is grounded in maximizing the potential of students. Take advantage of attending a comprehensive university with 14 faculties (colleges) offering courses from Food Science to Entomology and Business or by taking courses outside your major, including in Asian languages, cultures and history. NUS also has three Research Centres of Excellence (RCE) and 23 university-level research institutes and centers. The student body consists of approximately 27,500 undergraduate and 10,000 graduate students, and over 2,300 faculty members.  

What is unique about Singapore?

Singapore, is a city-state and a gateway to South East Asia, with Indonesia to its East and Malaysia directly north. Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. English is the common language of the nation and is the language of business, and education. Singapore is the world's fifth-leading financial center, a global commerce, finance and transport hub, and its port is one of the five busiest in the world. While it is one of the smallest countries in Southeast Asia, it is also one of the most prosperous. CALS students have also enjoyed the fact that it is possible to drive 10 minutes from the city center to trek through a tropical rainforest, with more species of flora than in the whole of North America.

Past Participants

Past participants have submitted feedback about their experiences. These surveys are available for your review. You can also view photos from their time abroad. Would you like to ask a past participant questions about their experience? The CALS exchange coordinator is happy to connect you to a Cornell student who has studied at NUS. Email cals-exchange@cornell.edu to request an introduction.

How do I apply?

• Attend a CALS Exchange and Study Abroad Information Session
  • CALS will be holding information sessions for students to answer questions regarding types of programs, the process, financial aid/costs concerns, returning credits, and any additional questions you may have. You can find the schedule and login information here. 
• Meet with the CALS Exchange Advisor
  • The CALS exchange advisor is happy to meet with each student to go over specific programs, answer individuals academic questions that could not be discussed in an information sessions, assist with program selection based on interest, etc. It's also an opportunity to discus the application process, the course approval process, etc. Schedule an appointment.
• Click the green apply button (there is an application preview button for those interested in what is on the application-by clicking apply, you will start an application to the program)
  • Already met with the CALS Exchange Advisor or is it close to the application deadline and you can't get in to see the advisor? That's okay. Click the green apply button and start the Cornell application process so you don't miss any deadlines. 
• Click Submit
  • Once you've completed all of the application requirements, click submit. The CALS Exchange Advisor will review your application within a week of your submission. If accepted, you will receive further instructions regarding next steps and the application process to your host university.