Come immerse yourself in the South Pacific—RV’ing, kayaking, hiking, and traversing glaciers across New Zealand’s spectacular South Island; exploring the oceans, tropical forests, and people of Western Samoa while serving as a near-peer tutor for LDS, Samoan high school students; and sea kayaking, snorkeling coral reefs, and participating in an ecotourism experience on sparsely inhabited islands in Fiji.
From Glaciers to Coral Reefs: Island Biogeography of the South Pacific
Six Islands and Eight National Parks/Marine Reserves Across New Zealand, Samoa, and Fiji
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DATES
Spring Semester, approximately April 27th – June 15, 2022 (seven weeks, official dates TBA)
HOUSING
Housing includes RVs, beach fales, tents, and stays with teachers from the LDS Church College in Western Samoa. All housing will be arranged by BYU International Study Programs.
COURSES
Students are required to enroll in 6 credits during the Spring Term program. Students will select two of the following classes:
- PWS 150 – Environmental Biology (3 credit hours)
Fulfill your Science and Global & Cultural Awareness GE while exploring the South Pacific - PWS 250 – Field Ecology (3 credit hours)
Link ecological theory, application, and environmental stewardship and sustainability in an international context - PWS 494R – Special Topics in Island Biogeography (3 credit hours)
Investigate the biogeography, ecology, and natural history of the South Pacific while gaining a deeper understanding of the islands and islanders.
Participants may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
COST
$6,100-6,600
Includes undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduates and non-Latter-day Saint students), international health insurance, housing, admissions, and all inter-island transportation.
Does not include airfare to and from the U.S., books, passport fees, 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
801-422-6293 | travel@byu.edu | 280 HRCB
PREPARATION
Accepted students are required to participate in an international, cross-cultural preparation course (IAS 201R, 1.0 credit hour). This class will be held Wednesdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. during the second block of winter semester 2022. Accompanying spouses need to be credit-bearing participants on the program. Spouses will also need to apply online and take the preparation course. Part-time BYU students and non-BYU students will need to pay an additional tuition fee. Students are expected to keep all aspects of the BYU Honor Code and ISP rules during the program.
All participants are required to show proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination by the time the preparation course begins.
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 and may be considered for other scholarships. They must indicate on their original online application that they want to be considered for financial aid.
Academic departments and colleges may assist with scholarships and grants.
Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (see kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
Environmental Science students may apply for Experiential Learning funds through the Plant and Wildlife Sciences Department.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Students must be adults 18 years of age or older.
Complete the $35 (non-refundable) online application at kennedy.byu.edu/apply.
Applicants will be interviewed once applications are 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 2022 Payment Information document (see kennedy.byu.edu/isp-forms/ISPpayments2022.pdf).
Deadline: 15 December 2021
FACULTY
Dr. Zachary Aanderud is a professor of biogeochemistry in the Environmental Science Program, Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences. Dr. Aanderud specializes in the ecology and sustainability in a changing world and will help you explore the diversity and connections among island biota and islanders.
4125 LSB | (801) 422-4220 | zachary_aanderud@byu.edu
SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT
The group will meet in Christchurch, New Zealand unless other arrangements are made with the director. Parents are not to visit students during the official program time period. Students should not plan late arrivals to the host country and they should plan to stay the entire length of the program. The program will end in Fiji, where students are responsible for departing on their own.
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.