If you are a sophomore you will probably be reaching a decision on off-campus study and declaration of the major at roughly the same time, and for this reason it is particularly important to make clear to the department your intentions in both areas early on in the year. If you are planning to study in a country closely connected with another department, you will probably also find that faculty in that department can offer useful advice.
Departments vary in the nature of the advice that they can give.
Several departments also hold meetings, often in cooperation with the OCS Office, to discuss off-campus study as it pertains to students intending to major in the department. But in some cases it will be up to you to supply detailed information on a program and its courses before your department decides whether the proposed off-campus study will benefit your work at Bowdoin. Most students on off-campus study earn both credit toward a major or minor and general Bowdoin credit. The total credit earned is the normal 4 credits per semester. The general rules are the same for majors in all academic departments and programs.