About W&M Winter Programs | Incheon Program | Application Process & Important Deadlines | Program Costs & Funding | GEO Contact Information
About W&M Winter Programs
Each winter, W&M faculty direct short-term study abroad programs administered by the Global Education Office (GEO) in the Reves Center. Program locations and themes may vary from year to year. Programs include a 1 credit pre-course (INTR 299) that will take place during the fall semester after Fall Break. The 3-4 credit abroad course(s) will take place in the program location(s) during Winter Break. Both INTR 299 and the course(s) abroad must be completed in order to receive COLL 300 and students will receive W&M credits. All courses must be taken for a grade, which will be calculated into their GPA.
Eligibility:
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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.
Important Note:
All information regarding Winter 25-26 programs is subject to change. Anything listed as "TBD" will be updated as information is fully confirmed - students who open applications with information listed as "TBD" will be sent an email once that information is updated and confirmed. If something is listed as “TBD” there is no estimated date as to when that information will be available.
More information about winter programs can be found in the student handbook: W&M Winter Program Handbook 2025
W&M Faculty-Led Winter Program in Incheon, South Korea
Program Overview:
The purpose of the program is to create a dynamic and collaborative educational experience that brings together William & Mary (WM) undergraduates and Incheon National University (INU) undergraduates for a shared exploration of environmental DNA (eDNA) in the context of global marine biodiversity. By fostering cross-cultural interactions and interdisciplinary learning, the program aims to achieve global learning outcomes. Students from both institutions will engage in a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experiences, including field excursions and lab activities. The collaborative nature of the program encourages the exchange of diverse perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of how cultural and societal differences influence scientific research. Through this partnership, the program seeks to cultivate a sense of global citizenship, enabling students to connect with peers from different cultural backgrounds, conduct global biodiversity research, and reflect on their roles in a global context. The overarching purpose is to provide a transformative educational experience that goes beyond traditional classroom boundaries, preparing students to navigate the complexities of global environmental challenges collaboratively.
The program will incorporate a variety of excursions and extra-curricular events designed to complement the academic program. Field excursions to diverse coastal ecosystems in Incheon will provide hands-on opportunities for students to apply environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling techniques, reinforcing theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom. Visits to local research laboratories will offer insights into cutting-edge marine biology and eDNA research, connecting academic concepts with real-world practices. Cultural excursions, such as guided tours of Incheon and interactions with the local community, will enhance cross-cultural understanding and contribute to the broader global learning outcomes. A group project using metabarcoding analysis will provide practical skills and align with the program's academic goals. These excursions and events aim to create a holistic learning experience, integrating classroom instruction with practical applications, cultural immersion, and skill development, ultimately enriching the academic program for all participants.
W&M Faculty:
Bongkeun Song, Ph.D. (songb@vims.edu)
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Program Dates:
Arrival: January 3, 2026
Departure: January 18, 2026
*Arrival and departure dates designate the day students must arrive to their program country (Program Directors will indicate to students during the pre-course on the specifics regarding arrival airport(s) and other logistics – students should not purchase their flights without confirmation from their PD). Please note that January 3 is the day students must arrive, and this will likely require them to depart from the US earlier than January 3 (to account for travel time). Conversely, the January 18 departure date may result in a return to the US later than January 18.
Course Information:
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Course
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Location & Dates
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INTR 299: W&M Winter Incheon Pre-Course (1 credit)*
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At William & Mary
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Begins after Fall Break, specific days and times TBD.
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MSCI 333: Special Topics in Marine Science (Introduction to Environmental DNA: Exploring Biodiversity of Marine Life in Costal Ecosystems) (3 credits)
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On site in South Korea
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January 3 – 18, 2026
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*This 1 credit pre-course is mandatory for all program participants; students must successfully complete the pre-course in the fall semester to participate in the winter program. Program Directors will provide more information on the pre-course after acceptances - see the W&M Winter Program Handbook 2025 for further details.
Housing:
Students will stay in dorms during the program. They will share a room with 1-2 student(s) of the same sex.
Do you have a disability that requires an accommodation that you will need to be considered in the study abroad experience? If yes, please reach out to your GEO Advisor after acceptance to a program so we can begin consultations with you, Student Accessibility Services, and if needed, our partner overseas, to ensure a successful and safe study abroad experience.
Application Process & Important Deadlines
Applications will be reviewed after the deadline; applications are not reviewed on a rolling basis. Only apply for one program – you will be able to list other programs as alternate choices in the application. It is encouraged to list multiple alternate options, in the case that a student is not accepted into their first or second choice, or a program is cancelled.
W&M Faculty-Led Winter Programs often receive more applicants than there are available spots. Applicant selection can be competitive and in those cases priority is given to juniors/seniors and students who have not yet studied abroad or earned COLL 300. We encourage students to carefully and thoughtfully work on their application materials, and please note any prerequisites or applicant preferences (if listed).
Important Deadlines:
Program Costs & Funding
Application Fee Information:
The application fee ($75) is due by the deadline and is paid online at the GEO Marketplace Store (to remit payment the student’s 93#, email, and phone number are needed). The application fee is refundable if a student is not accepted into the program or the program is canceled by W&M.
Program Fees:
Program Cost: TBD
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(Billable) The program cost includes excursions, accommodations, in-country transportation, some meals, course fees, and international health insurance, among other costs.
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(Non-billable) The program cost does not include flights, personal expenses, some meals, US transportation, and required texts, among other costs.
You can see a breakdown of estimated costs on the Incheon Budget Sheet. The current, estimated costs listed are for the 2024-25 cycle; this will be updated when the program cost is determined. Review our Refund Schedule for W&M Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs.
Funding:
Scholarship for this program is available. Please apply to the Reves Winter Scholarship by the deadline.
Check out our resources on scholarships, financial aid, 529 plans and others.
Global Education Office Contact
Any Questions? Please contact Madeline Gregory, Special Programs Advisor (mpgregory@wm.edu).
