Many study away options are available to students in Environmental Studies. Students considering either a semester or year away who intend to major / concentrate in Environmental Studies should consult the Chair of Environmental Studies and the Dean in charge of study abroad as early as possible to discuss their options. Students may take up to two courses outside of Williams toward their major / concentration, but must have approval in writing, in advance, from the Chair of Environmental Studies; this will generally require the Chair to review the syllabus of the proposed course(s).
Environmental Studies students also participate in programs run by The School for Field Studies, The School for International Training, and The International Honors Program, as well as those organized by other universities and organizations. Some programs allow students to enroll directly in a university in another country, while others are designed specifically for groups of students from US colleges. Students have the opportunity to choose from programs in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Environmental Studies students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities provided by such programs to experience other cultures, to gain proficiency in another language, to take courses not available at Williams, and to become familiar with and conduct research in an environment different from the one they are accustomed to.
Williams College administers a semester-long interdisciplinary program in coastal and oceanic studies based at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, CT. Commonly known as "Williams-Mystic", the program incorporates the study of marine policy, maritime history, literature of the sea, oceanography, and marine ecology. Many classes offered there can count as electives toward the Environmental Studies major / concentration. This program technically does not count as "study away," as the classes are taught by Williams professors; therefore, you do not need advance clearance for those classes.