Study engineering at Universidad de Cantabria for one academic year or for the Spring semester. This program was originally designed for Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) majors but it is open to all engineering majors.* The program was launched during the 2007-2008 school year with eight Cornell engineering students studying at Cantabria. This exchange program recommends some prior knowledge of Spanish. Engineering and science courses are taught in English, and humanities courses are taught in Spanish.

What is Unique about this Opportunity?

• Take Engineering courses in English at one of Spain's leading research universities alongside local degree-seeking students
• Engineering and science courses are taught in English, and humanities courses are primarily taught Spanish.  Students with sufficient language proficiency may also take engineering and science courses from the general course catalog in Spanish
• Stay on track to graduate with major-approved courses
• State of the art facilities in hydrology and other fields
• Participate in an optional summer internship

What is Unique about Santander and UC?

Host Institution: Universidad de Cantabria: A comprehensive research university located in Santander, the capital city of the province of Cantabria on the beautiful northern coast of Spain.

Program Dates: 
Fall Semester: University classes late September through Late January (with Spanish immersion class in August-mid September)
Spring Semester: Mid-February through June (with Spanish immersion class in January-early February)
Optional Internship: June through August

Immersion Program: Students take a Spanish language immersion courses at Cantabria in August or January prior to the start of the semester.  Mandatory for students with little to no Spanish. Recommended for all students except native speakers. If students intend to participate in this program, they should notify the Office of Global Learning to ensure any costs associated with this program are included in the budget of estimated costs.

Housing: During the immersion, host families house students. During the academic year, students live off campus and rent an apartment in Santander. The Office of International Relations at Cantabria can help make arrangements and roommate pairings.

Things to consider before applying

• Review the information on the Education Abroad Office’s Get Started page for important considerations on academics and finances, and a guide to next steps
• Find answers on the Education Abroad FAQ and resource pages for Cornell study abroad policy, health, and safety updates
• Still have questions?  Visit the Get Advice page and learn how to connect with an Education Abroad Advisors
• Want to keep up to date with Cornellians Abroad? Follow Education Abroad on social media, @cornelliansabroad, @CornellEducationAbroad

How do I apply?

Applying to study on an exchange program is a two-step process. The Cornell approval process must be complete before your program advisor in the Office of Global Learning can submit your nomination to the exchange partner.  Exchanges may have limited spaces, so early applications are encouraged.

1. For Cornell approval and nomination, click on the "Apply" button on this webpage. Applications are approved by your college and the Office of Global Learning on a rolling basis until the application deadline listed on this page, or earlier, if filled.
2. Once nominated by Cornell, complete an external application specifically for exchange students.  Schools typically admit the students nominated by exchange partners, but you must complete this process for them to review your application and offer you a place.