This research abroad program aims to give students a chance to study and learn about conflict, development, and governance in four Mediterranean countries: Morocco, Spain, Croatia, and Bosnia. Students will be immersed in local culture as they visit historical and political sites and carry out interviews with local residents, government officials, and nongovernmental advocates. We will conduct original research that will build toward publishable research papers on questions such as: What messaging strategies might make local citizens more open to refugees? How can political participation and reconciliation best be encouraged in countries with recent conflicts? We will weave together large-scale country comparisons, site visits (to places such as concentration camp memorials and refugee camps) and interviews that will provide appreciation for local problems and understandings. We will then write a public-opinion survey experiment to be implemented in these countries after we depart. Interested students will be able later to analyze the data and put together important research papers. This program will be most appealing to students who are passionate about learning about difficult issues like refugees, immigration, civil war, economic development, and varieties of political institutions in different historical and cultural contexts. It will also appeal to students who enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle, as we will hike and explore coasts, canyons, and mountains.
Conflict, Development, and Governance in the Mediterranean
Morocco, Spain, Croatia, Bosnia
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DATES
30 May – 15 July 2022 (approximately)
HOUSING
Hotels and hostels
COURSES
6 credit hours:
POLI 306R – Field Work Methods
POLI 450/470 – Research Project in Comparative Politics or International Relations
Participants may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
COST
$6,200–6,700
Includes Latter-day Saint, undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for grads and non–Latter-day Saint students), housing, most breakfasts, some other meals, group transport, some activities, and international health insurance.
Does not include airfare, most lunches and dinners, and 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.
BYU Travel
280 HRCB | (801) 422-6293 | travel@byu.edu
PREPARATION
Accepted students are required to participate in an international, cross-cultural preparation course (IAS 201R, 1 credit hour). This evening course will be held during the second block of winter semester.
Part-time BYU students and non-BYU students will need to pay an additional tuition fee of approximately $300 for this course.
All participants are required to show proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination (including booster) at least two weeks prior to departure.
FUNDING SOURCES
Regular BYU tuition scholarships, Pell Grants, and Federal Insured Student Loans may be applied to study abroad programs. Students who submit the financial aid section of the ISP application and who have a current FAFSA form on file at the financial Aid Office (A-41 ASB) will be considered for a study abroad scholarship. Academic departments and colleges may assist with scholarships and grants. Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (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 throughout the fall semester and may be admitted prior to the deadline.
Students will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance into the program. The first payment is due upon acceptance. Please refer to the Payment Information document (see kennedy.byu.edu/isp-forms/ISPpayments2022.pdf).
Deadline: 1 November 2021
FACULTY
Darren Hawkins has extensive experience studying international development and has previously led a study abroad in Spain.
(801) 422-5526 | dhawkins@byu.edu
Josh Gubler researches and writes on identity politics, with particular emphasis on identifying strategies for intergroup prejudice reduction. His regional expertise is in the Middle East, and he previously led a research abroad in London.
(801) 422-2829 | jgub@byu.edu
INTERESTED STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT
International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
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.