Domestic and Abroad Programs

Studying away from Skidmore is a major facet of an ESS education at Skidmore. Although not required, 80% to 90% of ESS majors study abroad or participate in an off-campus domestic program. Over the past several years, ESS majors have studied in countries all over the world through various programs.

Students studying abroad or in an off-campus domestic program work through Skidmore’s Office of Off-Campus Study and Exchanges to apply for programs. They also work with their academic advisor to choose a program and courses that will enhance their education and interests.

Click here to connect to OCSE’s program search page, then go to the ‘Parameters’ search box and click the ‘Environmental Studies and Sciences’ search term under ‘Departmental Approval’, and then “Search”, in order to see the list of ESS-approved programs. Note that ESS students are not required to choose an ESS-approved program.

Environmental Studies majors should complete two of the three required core courses before studying abroad. Environmental Science majors should complete both of their core courses. Only two courses taken abroad can count toward the major during any given semester, but all courses can usually transfer back for general credits. Courses taken abroad cannot substitute for any core course.

Each year, Skidmore sponsors a number of faculty-led travel seminars to locations around the world. Travel seminars that complement the ESS curriculum allow students to learn about environmental issues in another part of the world. Travel seminar courses meet weekly over the course of a semester, plus involve a trip where students accompany one or two faculty members as they explore a focused topic that uses the destination as a classroom.