<p>wsox, not sure if you are a parent or a student. . . My son is a sophmore at Williams so he’s been through one Winter Study. Like Bex56, he loved the experience and is really looking forward to this year. Williams requires freshmen to stay on campus for Winter Study. After that you can join one of the organized travel-study groups or make up your own month’s project.</p>
<p>There are about 50 choices, covering all disciplines. The classes tend to be creative and quirky, many taught by experts in their fields. Students are encouraged to try something different, have some fun, expand their horizons. Last year my son took a course that visited art museums of the area – including New York – for a behind the scenes view. This year he’s doing large format photography taught by a well known art and architecture photographer who lives in the Berkshires.</p>
<p>The school also provides a lot of supplemental activities for this month and there’s a lot of time for winter sports and general partying. If they are bored, and they adamantly say they are not, they can sign up for a second course.
From a parents’ viewpoint, I find that WS cuts the December holidays a bit short, but other families tell me this is a blessing.</p>
<p>As an aside, I wouldn’t recommend Williams to anyone who was winter adverse. Getting outside and doing something active in the “rural mountain area during the worst part of winter” is part of makes Williams Williams.</p>