The continental European countries are rich in history and replete with archives that document that history. Emphasizing European family history research, students in Spain, Italy, France and the Netherlands will spend nearly two months of intensive training and actual research experience in eight to twelve archives, as well as having an exposure to western European cultural history, culinary arts, and Latter-day Saint history. On the continent, students will visit national capitals, (Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam) and provincial cities and archives ranging from Groningen, Netherlands to Bayonne, France, to Vic and Salamanca, Spain. Beyond the archives, there will be cultural activities and visits to historical sites and museums.
Family History in Europe
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DATES
The internship is approximately seven to eight weeks long, April – June 2019. Specific dates will be announced in prep course.
HOUSING
Students will be housed in hotels and hostels as the group travels together. During the second half of the program, as they do individual research work, they will arrange their own lodging as they travel.
COURSES
Students will be registered for a minimum of 6 credit hours while abroad during Spring Term. Students will select classes from:
History 496 (family history internship)
History 495R (Directed Readings in Archival Studies and Family History)
Participants may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
COST
The group European trip will cost approximately $3,900-$4,400 for about four weeks.
The group UK trip will cost approximately $1,400-$1,900 for about one week.
This cost includes full-time LDS undergraduate tuition for Spring Term, international health insurance coverage, and lodging, lunches, and group transportation for four weeks.
Not included in this cost: airfare, housing, meals and travel expenses after or before the group trip.
NOTE: Students will be living on their own for up to 3-4 weeks after the group travel. Living expenses incurred during this time are not included in the program cost.
FUNDING SOURCES
Although these internships are unpaid, students can make them quite affordable by pursuing a range of on- and off-campus funding options. University, departmental, and private scholarships, as well as federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, etc., may be applied toward the program’s cost. Students may also qualify for ISP financial aid/discounts from kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships and BYU’s ORCA grant program. The Center for Family History and Genealogy offers scholarships each year for those doing family history internships.
PREPARATION
Before arriving in Europe, students must have completed History 424 and History 353 (or be enrolled in History 495R substitute for that class for Fall Semester 2018.). Advanced language training and experience in French, Italian, Dutch or Spanish is required. Non-Family History Majors with exceptional skills in computer-related fields and strong Family History experience will be considered.
Accepted students are required to participate in History 482, a directed readings course. This semester-long one-hour course will meet as needed during Winter Semester 2019.
Accompanying spouses need to be credit-bearing participants on the program. Spouses will also need to apply online and take the preparation course.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested students should first meet with Professor Ryskamp in the History Department to determine if this is the right program for them. All applicants must complete the online application at kennedy.byu.edu/apply, which requires a $35 fee. Applications are due 15 January 2019.
UK students apply separately for the England Family History Study Abroad.
Applicants will be interviewed once the application is complete.
INTERESTED STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT
George Ryskamp is the Faculty Director of the program, and teaches the Southern European family history, archival studies and paleography courses in the Department of History. Students can contact him at ryskamp@byu.edu or 801-400-2378. Professor Ryskamp will be accompanied by his wife, Peggy, a Certified Genealogist, who will be the Internship Provider.
International Study Programs
801-422-3686
isp@byu.edu
kennedy.byu.edu/isp
PROGRAM ADJUSTMENTS
ISP reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to the preliminary cost estimates due to conditions beyond its control.