You may wish to combine environmental study with travel to an ecosystem or culture unlike any in North America. If so, a study abroad program may be your best option for field experience.

To satisfy the Field Experience requirement, a Study Abroad course/program must:

• be elected for 3 or more credit hours,
• be or have a field component (non classroom) of at least 2 weeks in duration,
• have content related to the environment,
• be pre-approved by the Concentration Advisor or the Field Experience Coordinator

The Office of International Programs (OIP), located in 1712 Chemistry Building, coordinates the Michigan-affiliated study abroad programs. Particularly popular with PitE students are the EcoQuest New Zealand and ICADS Costa Rica programs. OIP maintains a complete list of affiliated environmental programs. If you are interested in participating in these programs in order to receive in-residence credit, you must apply to the program through OIP.

Please be aware that the OIP deadlines for these programs for the Winter 2010 term are fast approaching; some are as early as the second week of September. Please refer to OIP's application deadline for your program of choice: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/oip/PDF/applications/ay_application-requirements.pdf

You may also consider non-Michigan programs. Organizations such as School for Field Studies (SFS), the School for International Studies (SIT), and Wildland Studies offer environmental field courses around the globe. Credit for these program is transferrable, and is not considered in residence.

Students participating in non OIP programs should visit the international travel information and registry webpage. Students should also visit the US State Department's travel warnings website. It is advised that students meet with the Program Coordinator when considering studying abroad to ensure that that the program selected meets concentration or minor requirements.

For more information on international study programs, please contact PitE or OIP.

For a list of websites about study abroad programs, click here.