Academics

Academics

Students will enroll in up to five courses taught in Spanish. Students who need more support with the Spanish language take an extra non-credit language course (see below). Students are recommended to take a combination of courses (two and two) offered through Casa de Las Américas and direct-enrollment courses through the University of Havana in the schools of Arts & Letters or Philosophy, History, and Sociology. (A&S Students MUST take two university courses.)

Center courses are delivered by a group of carefully selected faculty, recognized experts from Casa de las Americas and the University of Havana. The CASA-La Habana Center offers multiple courses (4 credits each), while the university offers courses that are two to four credits.  Students can choose from courses in literature, the arts, Afro-Caribbean studies and music at the University of Havana’s Faculty of Arts and Letters, or courses in Cuban history, philosophy and religion, political sociology, and Latin American thought through the Faculty of Philosophy and History.  Students interested in a 32 hour or 2-credit course make arrangements with faculty to supplement instruction so that it can count for 3 credits.

Students may be requested to take a supplemental Spanish language course to help them in university coursework and daily life in Cuba.

In addition to the academic program, the Cuba study center will arrange special topics-based lectures, exhibitions, recitals, and local field visits to expose students to the tremendous cultural mosaic of the country.

Your academic experience abroad is going to be very different from home. Working under the policies and processes of the local institution, managing with fewer and slower electronic resources, and functioning in a very different social and economic setting brings new challenges and insights.

Course Selection & Enrollment

  • To discuss program fit, such as program type, expectations, level of structure/independence, or to compare options, get advice from Global Learning advisors and returned students. 
  • For assistance in selecting courses, see your faculty or college advisor. (Note: You may earn elective, distributional, minor or major credit depending on your major and college.)
  • You may need to look at courses from a previous semester (i.e.: the most recent spring semester if you want to select classes for a future spring abroad). 

Course Load & Credits

  • The program recommends 4 courses, typically 2-3 at the Center and 1-2 at the University. For a class to be equivalent to 3 credits, it should meet for 45 hours over the course of the semester; 4-credit classes must meet for 60 hours. Center courses meet for 60 hours over the course of the semester and are 4 credits.  Note: Following the program recommendations may lead to taking fewer that 15 credits which is possible with college approval as long as you are taking at least the equivalent of 12 credits.
  • University courses may be worth 2, 3, or 4 credits.  Students in a 2 credit university class must request supplemental work for the equivalent of 3 credits or receive special permission from their college for reduced credit.
  • Decisions on the final allocation of credit are made upon successful completion of the course (must earn grade equivalent of a “C” or higher—all courses must award a letter grade).
  • For more information on courses and credits from abroad, including policies regarding start/end dates, refer to the Academic Policies page on the Education Abroad website. 

Transcript & Grades

  • Grades will appear on the Cornell transcript in the same format as they are recorded on the original transcript generated by the host institution. Grades are not factored into the Cornell GPA.
  • For information on how grades appear on the transcript and frequently asked questions, including transcript dates for graduating seniors, please refer to the Transcripts and Credits page on the Education Abroad website.
  • Your program will send your transcript to the Education Abroad Office.