Program Information | Course Information | W&M Faculty | Dates | Deadlines | Program Fees | Eligibility | Handbook

EXTENDED APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 1, 2023 (11:59pm)

Study Abroad Program in the Netherlands: Responses to Climate Change: A Comparison of Opportunities for Potential Solutions in the Netherlands and the Coastal United States

The objective of this program is to offer a multi-disciplinary course examining current and potential responses to climate change in both the US and The Netherlands that requires students to examine the socioeconomic, political, and eco-social consequences of those responses in the context of each country. The Netherlands has embraced the need for adaptations and approaches to dealing with climate change due to its geographic location and its long history of successfully addressing flooding risks. In the US, climate change impacts are steadily increasing and both governmental and non-governmental organizations are increasing their responses to climate change, although not as quickly nor comprehensively as in the Netherlands. In this study abroad program, students will analyze how communities in both countries have mobilized to raise awareness about these challenges and how governments and other organizations have responded. The program will include a “virtual international exchange” with students at the University of Leiden during the spring 2023 semester. During the summer in-county portion of the class, students will have the opportunity to observe a number of different solutions to climate-change-induced sea level rise, severe storm events, and flooding in person and meet with individuals responsible for developing and implementing those solutions. Students will be asked to examine whether the approaches used in the Netherlands can be successfully transferred to the coastal United States. In particular, students will assess the extent to which differences in geography, ecology, politics, law and culture might require modification for those solutions to be successful in the US. A key component of this course is that it has been designed for both undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines, as we will be exploring how geography, politics, law, the environment, and culture impact the appropriate solutions to climate change challenges.

Students are housed in a hotel in The Hague, close to shopping, dining, and public transport. Students will be responsible for the majority of their meals; however, some meals will be covered on excursions and a small stipend will be provided for lunches.

Course Information:
All Summer 2023 students will be enrolled in (subject to change):

Undergraduate Students:
PUBP490 (3 credits in the Netherlands, May 29 – June 10) and 391 (2 credits, remote and asynchronous June 11 – June 30):
Responses to Climate Change: A Comparison of Potential Solutions in the Netherlands and the Coastal United States

Graduate Students:
PUBP 514 (3 credits in the Netherlands, May 29 – June 10) and 600 (2 credits, remote and asynchronous June 11 – June 30):
Responses to Climate Change: A Comparison of Potential Solutions in the Netherlands and the Coastal United States

Course book required:  TBD

All students will also be enrolled in a 1 credit spring 2023 pre-study abroad mandatory preparatory course. 
Undergraduates: PUBP391 (1 Credit): Responses to Climate Change: A Comparison of Potential Solutions in the Netherlands and the Coastal United States – Virtual Exchange 
Graduates: PUBP600 (1 Credit): Responses to Climate Change: A Comparison of Potential Solutions in the Netherlands and the Coastal United States – Virtual Exchange

** Please note that the course is tentatively scheduled on Tuesdays from 9-11 am beginning March 21, 2023. **

Courses are taught by W&M faculty. Grades will appear on the W&M transcript and will be included in GPA calculations.

For law students: since the graduate course is listed a s Public Policy course, the process for petitioning the Vice Dean to enroll in non-Law courses is here, https://law.wm.edu/academics/programs/jd/electives/studentarranged/index.php. Please note that the spring-semester pre-course is expected to include academic work and meetings in the week of May 1, 2023.


W&M Faculty:
Sarah Stafford, W&M Department of Economics, W&M Department of Public Policy
Elizabeth Andrews, W&M Law School, W&M Coastal Policy Center

Dates:
Arrival date:  May, 29, 2023
Departure date:  June 10, 2023

Deadlines:
Application Deadline: December 1, 2022
                With a deposit ( $700) due deadline:  March 10, 2023 (Friday prior to Spring break)
                And a balance due deadline:  April 3, 2023 

Application fee information:
The application fee ($75) is due by the deadline and should be paid online at the GEO Marketplace Store. Whoever is making the payment will need student 93#, email, and phone number. The application fee is refundable in the event that you are not accepted into the program or the program is canceled by W&M. 

Program Fees:
2023 program fee:  $5,650 

Students are responsible for airfare and some meals.

To view the estimated costs for this program and important payment information, please visit here

Reves Summer Scholarships are available for this program. 

Program Features:
Welcome and Farewell dinner
On-site Orientation
Excursion admissions and some meals on excursions
Housing 
CISI insurance
W&M credits
Fulfills COLL 300
Re-entry programming

Eligibility:
Students must be an active W&M undergraduate student in good standing, not on academic or disciplinary probation during time abroad, and eligible to take classes at the W&M Williamsburg campus to study abroad. 

Students currently on-campus must successfully complete a 1 credit spring course (March-May). 
For more information about eligibility, please visit our Policies that Affect You page.

Handbook:
Click to view the Summer Abroad Handbook 2023