Academics

Academics

After the orientation, the CASA Santiago director assists each student to enroll for transfer credit towards their degrees at top local universities. Students attend classes with Chilean university students and can choose from a wide variety of classes offered at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) and Universidad Diego Portales. In the past, students have also taken courses at the Universidad de Chile (UCH).

To receive 15 credits at Cornell, students take the CASA Proseminar with 4 university courses (10 Chilean credits each). Students may take the Proseminar with 3 university courses for 12 credits.

For information on courses, including a list of past courses taken by students, refer to the CASA Santiago courses page.

Additionally, students can explore a variety of social, cultural, political and professional opportunities beyond the classroom. Students can also participate in non-credit internship opportunities, linked to the students' area of academic studies, such as in community and grassroots organizations, cultural, health, and environmental institutions, and international agencies.

CASA Chile staff work closely with the local university exchange programs so that students are included in all orientations, dinners, sports teams, and other organized social events. Students are also matched up with Chilean host students who show program participants around the city, and introduce them to a Santiaguino and broader Chilean culture.

In addition to the academic, social, and cultural support provided to the students, CASA-Chile coordinates activities and trips. A three-day long trip to Patagonia offers a unique experience to gain insight on different aspects of Chilean culture, as does a three-day trip to San Pedro de Atacama located in the Atacama Desert, which is the driest non-polar desert in the world. 

Your academic experience abroad is going to be very different from home. Working under the policies and processes of the local institution, you may find a lot less structure, or a lot more.

Courses and Credit Approval

  • To find information on specific courses, go to the program’s website using the link in the “Snapshot” section of the Overview page.
  • 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.)
  • Complete the Proposed Course of Study form that is part of the Global Learning application for a record of how your courses will count for credit at Cornell.

Academic Policies

  • Study the language of the host country (or take a course in that language) when studying in a non-English speaking country for a semester or year
  • Take the equivalent of 15 Cornell credits for a full semester, even if it is possible to take fewer and still graduate on time
  • Complete all the academic work and stay until the end of the program, defined as the last officially-sanctioned exam for any course you take abroad

Registration and Grades

  • You will be registered at Cornell and will earn credit for approved coursework for your semester/year study abroad
  • Decisions on the final allocation of credit are made upon successful completion of the course (equivalent of a “C” or higher—all courses for a letter grade)
  • Grades will appear on the Cornell transcript in the same format as they are recorded on the original transcript generated by the study abroad program or university. Grades are not factored into the Cornell GPA