Enrich your studies, deepen your understanding of world issues, and set a path for your future.

AU Cornerstone is your gateway to the world as a first-year college student at American University, and applying is easier than ever!

AU Cornerstone is a special academic program that allows students to study abroad or complete an internship in their first year! You’ll graduate on time, develop long-lasting relations with fellow students and faculty, and get the opportunity to live in the  University College Living-Learning Community. 

The AU Cornerstone program has three different components for students to choose from: Cornerstone DC, Cornerstone Greece, and Madrid SIS Scholars.

Cornerstone DC

In the Cornerstone DC program, students take advantage of a massive classroom: Washington, DC. Youll gain real-world professional skills and valuable experience that gives you an edge. With the diverse range of opportunities in government, non-profit organizations, and businesses here in DC, you can find an organization in your field of interest.

During your first semester, you’ll receive support from AU and Cornerstone staff to find the perfect internship. The mentorship you’ll receive will help you identify, train for, apply, and complete internships at places like the NAACP, Human Rights Campaign, Woodrow Wilson Center, American Enterprise Institute, or for a member of the US Congress.

Staff will teach you to prepare a professional resume for a variety of professional fields and learn how to write a cover letter that stands out. They’ll help you identify internships that you can only find in Washington, DC, and when the time comes, you’ll practice and hone your interviewing skills. Finally, once you’ve secured an internship, you’ll take a course in the spring semester called the Cornerstone Practicum. The Practicum is taken alongside your internship and prepares you for professional expectations and identify solutions to potential challenges you’ll face. Through this course, students even receive academic credit for completing an internship.

These internships cover a variety of fields, like politics and government, journalism, law and social justice, international affairs, business, and environmental groups. You can view a full list of previous internships completed by students from 2023-2025 here.

Cornerstone Greece

Ready to jump-start your international education? One of the study abroad opportunities offered through the AU Cornerstone umbrella is the Cornerstone Greece program. In the first semester of this program, students prepare for a life abroad in Thessaloniki, Greece. You’ll take courses part of the Core Curriculum, but you’ll also take specialized courses for students in the AU Cornerstone Program. In the spring semester, students continue their college career at Anatolia American University (AAU) in small class sizes representing 30 different nationalities and in a beautiful city full of history and culture.

No prior knowledge of the Greek language is required. Students will take 15 credits in Greece that satisfy the AU curriculum. These seminar courses include “20th Century Greek History,” “Thessaloniki: A City and Its Inhabitants,” and other electives offered by AAU.

Students get to go on excursions to places like Mount Olympus, Delphi, Athens, and archeological sites dating back to Alexander the Great and the Byzantine and Roman Empires. You'll go on cultural activities like theater and museum outings, sporting events, and cooking courses. While in Greece, students live in Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki, located on the beautiful Aegean Sea. You’ll receive assistance from the International Programs Office at AAU, live in a hotel dormitory with another AU Cornerstone student, and have access to a Residential Assistant who is a current AAU student. Breakfast and dinner are provided daily, and it is in a safe, residential area near downtown. Accessing Anatolia American University is easy, as students are provided a shuttle that takes them to and from campus.

SIS Madrid Scholars

The other study abroad option students can choose is the SIS Madrid Scholars program. This program is only open to students who intend to major in International Studies at the School of International Service. No prior knowledge of the Spanish language is required. This program is a unique opportunity to not only study abroad in your first year, but to study abroad in your first semester of college. Many students catch the study abroad bug and end up studying abroad again in their undergraduate college experience!  

In Madrid, students take courses at the International Institute of Madrid, a short ten-minute walk from the student residence. At the International Institute of Madrid, students take classes like “International Migration and Refugee Crises,” “Unveiling Spain,” “Mediterranean Art History,” and Spanish language courses. Madrid SIS Scholars students go on exciting excursions to places like Barcelona, Andalucía, Salamanca, or Toledo, for example. There is so much to see, and each year brings more exciting opportunities to learn and explore! 

Students live in RESA, a student residence in Madrid, where students from around the world call home. In RESA, there’s amenities like an outdoor pool, a gym, laundry, study spaces, recreational rooms, and a cafeteria that can accommodate most dietary restrictions. The fees for the program cover the housing and meal plan.  

When SIS Madrid Scholars return to AU, they’ll continue their education normally and will not be behind at all. Plus, many students end up going abroad more than once during their undergraduate college experience! While starting your college experience in another country may appear daunting, SIS Madrid Scholars alumni generally feel like they acclimate very well to campus.

Living-Learning Communities

One way AU Cornerstone students build community on campus is through Living-Learning Communities (LLCs). This unique opportunity allows students to take classes with the people they’re living with. The tailored experiences mean that students take specialized classes that only include students living in their Living-Learning Community. It’s a truly immersive experience where students build a close-knit community based on common interests and a supportive environment. These Living-Learning Communities are not limited to first-year students. In their second year, students can join other Living-Learning Communities. 

Applying and More Information

There is no separate application for the AU Cornerstone Program; when you submit your admissions application, all you need to do is simply check the box on the Common Application to mark your interest in this program.

If you’re interested in learning more, you can contact the AU Cornerstone team at aucornerstone@american.edu. Otherwise, there are many frequently asked questions that have already been answered. 

AU Cornerstone gives you the chance to start your college experience in a way that’s anything but typical. Whether you’re interning in DC or beginning your international studies in Greece or Madrid, each program offers a meaningful way to learn, explore, and connect with others. You’ll earn credit toward your degree, build strong relationships with students and faculty, and gain invaluable experiences that shape the rest of your time at American University. 

No matter which path you choose, AU Cornerstone is a great way to make your first year unforgettable.