Study abroad

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The Nolan School of Hotel Administration students are encouraged to explore spending a semester or an academic year of study abroad—in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, or Oceania (Australia and New Zealand)—as an integral part of the undergraduate experience. Study abroad gives students an enriching cultural experience, a deeper understanding of the world, and expanded international career opportunities. Students earn academic credit toward their undergraduate degree while broadening their international horizons.

Through the Cornell Abroad program, Nolan School students can join other Cornellians—primarily third- and fourth-year students—who study in more than 40 countries and enroll in more than 150 programs and universities around the world. Visit the Office of Global Learning webpage to discover programs that Nolan students are eligible to attend.

For more information, students should refer to the Nolan School Study Abroad Policies and Procedures below and then make an appointment to speak to Academic Advisor, Taylor Sweazey, or visit the Office of Global Learning in B50 Caldwell Hall.

Study abroad policies and procedures

Step 1: Determine your eligibility

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Completion of PE requirement.
  • Ability to graduate on time.
  • Students who matriculated as first year students must complete all 1000-level and 2000-level core courses prior to departure.
  • Students who matriculated as transfer students must have no more than 15 credits of core courses total remaining prior to departure.
  • Completion of First Year Writing Seminar requirement

Step 2: Meet with Nolan Study Abroad Advisor, Taylor Sweazey (REQUIRED)

Confirm eligibility and your ability to graduate

Discuss policies:

  • Students must enroll in full course load while abroad (equivalent to 15-16 credit hours).
  • Students must take classes for a letter grade. Students must receive a grade of C or better to receive credit for each class. Letter/numeric grades from classes taken abroad will not impact a student’s Cornell cumulative GPA but will appear on their transcript.
  • Students are required to study the language of the host country while abroad if the official language of the country is not English.
  • Students cannot take classes that cover material that significantly overlaps with material in a class they have already taken or are required to take upon return
  • Classes are eligible to count toward Non-JCB distribution electives, additional distribution electives, the ethics requirement, the D&I requirement or free electives. The elective category assignment will depend upon the classes taken while abroad.
  • The Nolan School does not award academic credit for internship work or internship courses. Students who complete an internship abroad would be eligible to receive practice credit through completion of the Employer Verification Form.
  • Students planning on going abroad in their final semester will need to petition to do so. Please be aware of deadlines to receive transcripts for degree conferral deadlines.

Step 3: Research programs

Use the Office of Global Learning Resources to:

Step 4: Apply!

  • Apply for Cornell approval
  • Program admission is dependent on an external application. Refer to the specific program’s overview page for more details.