Students will participate in a research project identifying subjects to participate in a familial dementia study while also shadowing and supporting physicians in Samoa. Students will be introduced to protocols for human subject research and become proficient in dementia protocols and DNA collection and analysis. Students will work closely with researchers at Brigham Young University and Samoa’s Ministry of Health.

International Biology Internships
Apia, Samoa
DATES
Approximately 12 weeks during fall semester 2021
HOUSING
Housing may be a home or apartment. Students may be sharing a room with another BYU participant or sharing a home in the local community.
COURSES
Students are required to register for a minimum 12 credit hours during the fall semester internship. These credits may be Biology 399R Internship or other directed readings/research credit.
Students may also take other courses as arranged by their faculty director.
Students may also be interested in investigating the local culture by taking IAS 380 Cultural Proofs for 1–3 credit hours. This self-guided course allows students to do independent intercultural research, interview locals, and experience local culture.
Participants may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
COST
Students will pay BYU Latter-day Saints undergraduate tuition for 12 credit hours and receive internship placement, housing, and international health insurance coverage.
Not included: international airfare, meals, local transportation, international cell phone/data plan, personal expenses
TRAVEL
Students are responsible for purchasing their own airfare to and from the program. Airfare reservations must be made through BYU Travel. Students should contact a BYU Travel agent at:
BYU Travel | 801-422-6293 | travel@byu.edu | 280 HRCB
PREPARATION
Accepted students are required to participate in an international preparation course (IAS 369R, 1 credit hour). This second-block evening course will be held during winter semester 2021.
Accompanying spouses need to be credit-bearing participants on the program.
Spouses will also need to apply online and take the preparation course.
FUNDING SOURCES
Regular BYU tuition scholarships, Pell Grants, and Federal Insured Student Loans may be applied to Study Abroad programs.
Academic departments and colleges may assist with scholarships and grants. Biology Department scholarships may be available to Biology majors.
Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (see kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
APPLICATION PROCESS
Students must be adults 18 years-of-age or older.
Complete the online application at kennedy.byu.edu/apply.
The application requires a $35 fee.
Applicants will be interviewed once the application is complete.
Students will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance into the program.
The first payment is due upon acceptance. Please refer to the 2021 Payment Information document (see kennedy.byu.edu/isp-forms/ISPpayments2021.pdf).
Deadline: 1 February 2021
FACULTY
Richard Gill, professor of biology in the Biology Department, is the faculty director of the program.
SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT
Students are allowed to remain in Samoa for up to 90 days without a visa.
INTERESTED STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT
International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
kennedy.byu.edu/isp
PROGRAM ADJUSTMENTS
International Study Programs (ISP) reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to the preliminary cost. If it becomes necessary for ISP to cancel a program, all program payments made to BYU ISP will be refunded to the student’s BYU financial account. ISP is the only office authorized to cancel any of its programs.