Student Handbook

• Maintain an Ecclesiastical Endorsement, including striving to deepen faith and maintain gospel standards.
• Be honest.
• Live a chaste and virtuous life, including abstaining from sexual relations outside marriage between a man and a woman. Living a chaste and virtuous life also includes abstaining from same-sex romantic behavior.
• Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping, marijuana, and other substance abuse.
• Participate regularly in Church services.
• Respect others, including the avoidance of profane and vulgar language.
• Obey the law and follow campus policies, including the CES Dress and Grooming standards.
• Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code and Dress and Grooming standards.

CES Dress and Grooming Principles

1. Represent the Savior Jesus Christ, the Church, and the Church Educational System
2. Preserve an inspiring environment, without distraction or disruption, where covenants are kept in a spirit of unity so the Holy Ghost can teach truth
3. Promote modesty, cleanliness, neatness, and restraint in dress and grooming
4. Maintain an elevated standard distinctive to educational institutions of the Church of Jesus Christ

CES Dress and Grooming Expectations

1. Be modest in fit and style. Dressing in a way that would cover the temple garment is a good guideline, whether or not one has been endowed. Accommodation may be made for athletic participation.
2. Be neat and clean. Sloppy, overly casual, ragged, or extreme clothing is not acceptable.

1. Hair should be clean, neat, modest, and avoid extremes in styles and colors.
2. Men’s hair should be neatly trimmed. Men should be clean shaven. If worn, mustaches should be neatly trimmed.

• Only modest and culturally appropriate swimsuits should be worn.
• Proper dress will be required for all classroom attendance.
• Sunday dress should be modest and appropriate. The influence of students on investigators and Church members abroad cannot be underestimated. Students must do all they can to keep the Sabbath day holy in every respect.
• Each program may have unique rules prompted by local conditions or cultural differences. Participants agree to obey these rules as they would any other aspect of the Honor Code.
• These standards are equally applicable for all family members of the directors regardless of age, graduate assistants, teacher’s assistants, instructors, and student assistants.

Course Registration

Add/Drop Policy

Recommended Load

Admission to BYU Day School

International Study Program Survey

• Independent travel is encouraged prior to the beginning or after the end of the program to alleviate interrupting the flow of the program and imposing logistical challenges.
• Independent travel is seen as part of the program experience and should have an appropriate academic purpose approved by the faculty director.
• If you are proposing to travel independently within the dates of the program, you will need to complete an ISP Independent Travel Proposal form (available from your faculty director) and have it approved by your faculty director and ISP Coordinator the semester prior to your departure for the program. Approval is not guaranteed. Overnight travel may be limited to the country of program.
• Independent overnight travel may only occur during the designated “free travel” period on your program calendar, not during any time you perceive to have free time. Due to time limitations for spring and summer term programs, independent travel may be limited to semester-long fall and winter programs.
• You may only propose to travel to Category 1 countries listed on the BYU Travel Smart website: travelsmart.byu.edu.
• You are required to abide by BYU policies and CES Honor Code guidelines during independent travel. If you do not follow your approved travel plan you run the risk of being dismissed from the program and being sent home.
• You will need to attend Church in the Latter-day Saint congregation where your program is located. Independent travel should not interrupt your regular Church attendance. This requires that you return to your program location by Saturday with enough time to prepare for the Sabbath.
• Every student is required to have their own bed (no sharing).
• Men and women are required to have separate rooms.
• Students should travel in groups of three or more.

BYU Financial Aid Office

ISP Program Discounts

1. You must complete your entire ISP application. Upon completing the application, you will need to click on the hyperlink that says “Apply for Program Discount.” If you have questions, please contact isp@byu.edu.
2. You must be officially accepted to your program by ISP, be caught up on your program payments, and have a current FAFSA on file by the date below to be considered for the ISP Program Discount. Please submit the completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Financial Aid Office, A-41 ASB, (801) 422-4104.

GeoBlue International Health Insurance

What to Do in a Medical Emergency

1. Go to the nearest reliable medical facility (GeoBlue-contracted or not). Take a valid debit/credit card or cash and your GeoBlue Card. Be prepared to pay upfront for your medical care.
2. Contact GeoBlue at 1-610-254-8771 as soon as possible. Be prepared to inform them of your current situation, your certificate number on your GeoBlue card, your current location, information on your program, and a number where they may contact you. Stay in regular contact with GeoBlue advisors and follow their instructions. They will monitor your medical condition and arrange a guarantee of payment with your medical facility. Let them know any concerns or questions you may have.
3. As soon as possible (after receiving initial treatment), you or an able peer must contact BYU’s Global Security Advisor, Ben Cluff (benjamin_cluff@byu.edu / 801-422-0286 / WhatsApp 385-505-5424). Inform him of your current situation, location, and a contact number for you and let Ben know of any concerns or questions. Please inform your program director or supervisor and respective ISP Coordinator as well.
4. Stay in contact with and regularly update the above BYU contacts on your condition and progress.
5. If you pay for your medical expenses, keep all your receipts so you may file a reimbursement claim later. Receipts should be itemized with the name and address of provider, name of patient, date of service, amount charged for each service described, diagnosis or reason for treatment and costs in local currency.

What to Do in a Medical Non-Emergency

1. After choosing a doctor or hospital, you may arrange an appointment, receive additional help, and request direct pay of medical services on the GeoBlue App or by calling 1-610-254-8771.
2. If GeoBlue does not arrange an appointment for you, contact the doctor or hospital and arrange an appointment. Mention that you are GeoBlue-insured. If they do not recognize GeoBlue insurance, be prepared to pay for any medical services and medication given to you.
3. Take a valid debit/credit card or cash to guarantee payment if required and your GeoBlue card. If you have misplaced yours or forget to take it with you, you may access it on the GeoBlue App.
4. Remind the clinic or hospital upon arrival that you are GeoBlue-insured.
5. At the end of your visit, the clinic or hospital you attended should bill GeoBlue directly if they are a GeoBlue provider. If you are required to pay, obtain receipts for any and all services, including medications, so you may complete the reimbursement process later.
6. Provide regular updates to your BYU program director, supervisor, and/or ISP coordinator.

• 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., MST (work hours)
• (801) 422-4302, (801) 422-0286, (801) 422-5357, (801) 422-3378
• (385) 505-5424 (Benjamin Cluff, after hours/WhatsApp)
• (801) 369-0430 (Landes Holbrook, after hours)
• benjamin_cluff@byu.edu
• landes_holbrook@byu.edu
• globalsecurity@byu.edu

• (801) 422-2222 (police)
• (801) 422-1211 (operator)

• (801) 422-3686, (801) 422-6192 (101 HRCB, front desk)
• (801) 422-8687 (204 HRCB, administrative offices)

• (801) 422-6244 (office)
• (801) 361-4092 (cell)

• Main Office: (801) 422-3872
• Emergency: (801) 360-1404

Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses

Prescription Medicines

Jet Lag

• Don’t worry about it too much. Worry inevitably increases stress levels and slows your body’s ability to adjust.
• Set your watch to the time zone of your destination as soon as you leave. Keeping track of “home time” only encourages your body to stick to that schedule. By referencing your new time zone, you can mentally help your body begin adjusting before you leave.
• Maximize your comfort on the plane. Loose-fitting clothing aids circulation and increases comfort, especially on long flights. Eat lightly, even refusing a meal. Avoid soft drinks. Juice and water will make you feel better during the flight, because they help counter the effects of the cabin’s dry atmosphere. Try to get some sleep. Avoiding artificial means of relaxing (sleeping pills) may lead to a better—quicker—adjustment.
• If jet lag does not hit during your stay abroad, it may strike you when you return home. This may be because the time shift is finally catching up to you, because the adrenaline that may accompany travel is no longer sustaining you, or because two clock adjustments in a short period of time are too much for your body to handle. By following the same steps as you did when you left, you will make the adjustment period easier.

Culture Shock

• Noticeable homesickness or a propensity to talk too much about home
• Unreasonable paranoia (everyone is a pickpocket and all food is unsanitary)
• Excessive frustration at minor inconveniences
• Biased or overly critical attitudes toward local customs
• Refusal to use and/or fear of learning phrases in the local language
• Upset stomachs, headaches, and other physical side effects

• Learn about the areas you will be visiting before you go—and not just where the best restaurants and shops are. Learn about the people, their lifestyle, their history, and their current conditions.
• Learn a little bit of the language(s) for the areas you will visit. While awkward attempts to speak another language may result in a few smirks, a sincere effort will nearly always be appreciated. Knowing a little may help you feel more comfortable in the new environment—not so helpless or foreign.
• While you should not be foolish when it comes to hygiene, try to sample local foods. If traveling where sanitation is questionable or tap water is unsafe, only eat foods that are well cooked and hot, and peel all vegetables and fruits. But don’t avoid local specialties for reasons of unfamiliarity or smell. You will only further alienate yourself from the culture.
• Take a positive attitude and open mind with you. Do not judge the other culture on the basis of your own but accept it for what it is and look for the unique or positive. Don’t let minor frustrations annoy you. Remember that frustrations also occur at home.
• If you need a reference point, such as your home culture, to understand the new culture, search for similarities that allow you to identify with the culture before you look at the differences that make both cultures unique.
• It may help lessen the impact of culture shock to take some familiar items with you. The following are suggested: your favorite music, a favorite book, a jar of peanut butter, or whatever might provide some comfort in a new environment.

International Students

• 3–5 pairs of pants
• 6–8 shirts
• 6–8 sets of underclothing
• modest church clothing
• modest, culturally appropriate swimwear
• pajamas
• jacket
• toiletries
• 1–2 pairs of comfortable shoes
• comfortable dress shoes
• laundry bag and line
• travel towel
• passport holder or money belt
• umbrella
• travel hair dryer and curling iron (it may be more convenient to purchase a hair dryer or curling iron in your host country to avoid converter problems)
• electrical outlet converter kit
• necessary medication or prescription drugs

Packing Tips

• Don’t take jewelry, clothing, or other items that are of high monetary or sentimental value. If you do decide to take such items, make sure that you place them in your carry-on baggage rather than packing them in checked luggage. BYU does not insure any personal property.
• Label your suitcases—both inside and outside—with your name and address. On your way to your international study program, the address you put on your luggage should be the address of where you will be staying in your host country. On the way home from your program, use your home address.
• Storing liquids in zip-lock bags can avoid leaks.
• Pieces of luggage often look alike; examine yours carefully before leaving with it. Consider using AirTags or other tracking devices in your luggage.
• Always have your passport and other entry documents on your person—never pack them in your checked luggage.
• Always pack your own suitcases. Airport officials will often conduct a security check and question you regarding the packing and handling of your luggage.
• Do not take pocketknives, scissors, razor blades, or any other sharp objects in your carry-on luggage.

Checked Baggage

Carry-on Baggage

How to Carry Money

Credit/Debit Cards

• Visa and Master Cards are widely accepted abroad, while American Express is much less so and Discover Card almost not at all.
• Know your PIN number and keep it secure.
• While credit cards and debit cards can both be used for purchases, credit cards offer better security since the credit card company will usually cover unauthorized charges made on a credit card, but not on a debit card. Some international vendors will not accept debit cards.
• If you are getting a credit card for your program, try to find one that does not charge a foreign transaction fee on foreign purchases. This fee is placed on purchases made in a foreign currency and can range from 1% to 3% of the purchase price.
• Let your credit card company know that you will be traveling internationally. If your credit card company sees too many international charges it may temporarily suspend the use of your card.
• When using a credit card tied to an American bank, international vendors will sometime ask if you would like the charge made in the local currency or in US dollars. While choosing the US dollar option may seem like a good idea, these purchases are often charged at a higher exchange rate and, as a result, are typically more expensive than choosing the local currency option.
• Keep the contact information for your credit card company at a place separate from your credit card in case you lose your card. Be sure to ask your credit card company how to report a lost or stolen card abroad. Make sure that the card is always returned to you after a purchase. While you may not be held responsible for charges made on your credit card if it is stolen, the process of getting these charges removed can be time consuming.
• Monitor your accounts online frequently and report any suspicious charges immediately. When checking accounts, but sure to use secured internet connections.
• Only use ATMs that are in secure locations. The most reliable ATMs are in banks or hotels where there is increased security. Avoid ATMs located out in open public areas such as transportation hubs, public plazas, and tourist sites. When using an ATM, do not accept help from strangers or let other people handle your card. Before inserting your card in the card slot, inspect the machine for signs of tampering. When entering your PIN, use your other hand to cover the keypad. Use ATMs only during daylight hours and have another person with you while using the ATM.

Using Cash

• The biggest disadvantage to cash is that if it is lost or stolen, it is gone, so you need to keep it secure. One way to do this is to spread your cash over several locations in your luggage.
• In some countries, credit cards are difficult to use and you must rely on cash. Your program directors will give you direction on this, and, in these cases, it is a good idea to take several small denomination ($10, $20), new-looking US bills.
• Exchange costs will depend greatly on where the exchange is made. Hotels, airports, and merchants usually give a less favorable rate than banks or exchange offices. Any of these places, however, will usually charge a commission. This commission may either be a percentage of the amount exchanged (which can range from 5 to 20%) or, less commonly, a flat exchange fee. In the case of a flat rate, it is to your advantage to exchange as much money as you think you will need all at once, rather than exchanging a little bit at a time.
• Do not exchange money at places other than legitimate businesses (hotels, exchange offices, merchants, banks). You may meet people on the street who will offer to exchange money at rates better than those offered by legitimate businesses. It may generally be assumed that these people are breaking the law, and you should never exchange with them.

Other Electronic Payments and Other Options

• Plan a place(s) to conceal your valuables. When you carry your passport, money, credit cards, etc., conceal them in several places rather than putting them in one wallet or pouch.
• Avoid bags and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag is somewhat safer. But the safest place to carry valuables is typically a pouch or money belt that you wear under your clothing. Carry a small amount of money (an amount you can afford to lose) in a more easily accessible pocket for daily use.
• Do not reveal large amounts of money when paying a bill.
• Keep an eye on your credit card when making purchases and make sure your credit card is returned to you after each transaction.
• Be particularly cautious while riding public transportation and visiting tourist locations. Sit near the front of the bus if possible. A pickpocket’s favorite place is wherever a crowd is assembled and near exits.
• Never resist robbers; be as cooperative as possible.

• Travel Agents Office: (801) 422-3872
• After-Hours/Emergency: (800) 298-2469