ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
The Department of Geography and the Environment strongly encourages Environmental Science majors students to not only study abroad but to approach it as an integral part of the major.
The opportunity for in-depth, experiential learning in many of the study abroad opportunities, along with immersion in new cultures, is outstanding. Depending on the student, and which type of study abroad opportunity they pursue, these two experiences are the most desirable from the faculty's viewpoint.
Students are especially encouraged to pursue study abroad programs that have an experiential component (independent research, internship) and/or cultural immersion component.
Environmental Science majors should begin the study abroad advising process as early as possible to make study abroad fit into the four-year curriculum. Tell your academic advisor that you are interested in studying abroad at each registration appointment. Together, identify the best terms to go abroad, for summer or semester, based on the courses in your four-year plan.
Specific things to consider:
- The introductory Environmental Science sequence (GEV 1050 and GEV 1051) are not appropriate to take abroad. Other major requirements are possible to fulfill with appropriate courses.
- The opportunity for cultural immersion, and aspects of the department's cultural perspective goal, are better met during study abroad than on-campus.
Search the OEA Course Approval History database to select from more than 3,000 study abroad courses that have already been pre-approved for liberal education requirements and a growing list of technical courses.
The Course Approval History database is not exhaustive and students can work with an OEA advisor to submit additional courses for review.
Don't forget - CLAS has a list of policies and limitations specifically focused on study abroad. Make sure you're aware of these as you plan your overseas experience.
Please consult with your academic advisor about when is the best time for you to go abroad.
The Department of Geography and the Environment strongly encourages students consider programs that include independent research, internships or strong cultural immersion.
Study abroad opportunities are not limited to formal instruction. Consider taking advantage of the unique research, internship, and fieldwork opportunities available in different regions of the world.
In the past, students have:
- Researched Marine protected areas, rainforest biodiversity assessment, tourism impacts, ecosystem monitoring, community livelihoods, perceptions on conservation (Panama)
- Studied ice cores in lab, then travelled to a glacier to learn how samples were taken, the landscape that allows glaicers to form, and their importance of understanding the changing climate. (Denmark)
- Geography class with lab that focused on rock formations with outside classroom excursions to view and study in natural environment (New Zealand)
- Designed and completed a 4-week research project on the cutaneous microbiology of various species of Panamanian amphibians (Panama)
- Coursework which engaged discussions about environmental justice, environmental policy in the U.S. and internationally; included hikes through Black Forest and the Swiss Alps. (Germany)
*Villanova University - Irish Studies at the University of Galway
DIS - Study in Scandinavia (DIS)
IES Abroad - Environmental Studies and Sustainability in Freiburg
ISI Perugia, Umbra Institute through Arcadia Abroad
Certificate in Sustainability & Environmental Studies with research opportunity (Scholar's Program) highly encouraged.
School for Field Studies (SFS)
School for International Training
University of Otago through Arcadia Abroad
Looking for more?
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibility to study abroad. Visit Passport Villanova to discover other programs.
Course Approval Database
Students should consult with the OEA Course Approval Database to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs. The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings and the program’s website will list most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad.
*Villanova Summer at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea
DIS - Study in Scandinavia (DIS)
School for Field Studies (SFS)
School for International Training
Looking for more?
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibilty to study abroad. Visit Passport Villanova and explore other opportunities.
Course Approval Database
Students should consult with the OEA Course Approval Database to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs. The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings and the program’s website will list most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad.
It is important to plan ahead as it is not uncommon for scholarship deadlines to occur much earlier than a Villanova or program application deadlines.
There are many study abroad scholarships available for students through Villanova University, our partner programs and other external sources, like the US Government. The OEA can help students with the scholarship search and application process. If a scholarship is found outside of the OEA scholarship page, students should have it reviewed by the OEA to determine if it is a viable option.
Browse the scholarships opportunties found on the OEA website.