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Around the World: Seeking the Sacred from Europe to Asia

Dates: 5 September–13 December 2024
Priority Deadline: 30 November 2023
Application Deadline: 30 January 2024

Join us for the inspiring learning experience of a lifetime as we literally circle the globe on a spiritual pilgrimage to better understand the human need to find God, create sacred space, and connect to sublime sources of wisdom and beauty. Our travels will take us to Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, India, Nepal, and Japan. You’ll study Protestantism in Luther’s homeland, Catholicism in the shadow of the Vatican, Judaism in the “Holy City” of Jerusalem, Islam by the Middle East’s stunning mosques, Hinduism in India’s “Golden Triangle,” and Buddhism in Japan’s unforgettable temples. This program is packed with visits to many of the world’s most spectacular and awe-inspiring locations. You’ll have the chance to explore over thirty of UNESCO’s renowned World Heritage Sites (more than in the entire United States) and dozens of Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best,” places most only dream of seeing, from Petra and Pompeii to the Taj Mahal and Tokapi Palace. On top of it all, because this is one of a select few GE study abroad (SAGE) programs, you can earn up to an entire semester’s GE credits! Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to see the world, know its people, and cherish its magnificence.

Click here to apply today!

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Contact Us

David Dollahite
2092B JFSB
(801) 422-4179
david_dollahite@byu.edu

Sheree Underwood
(801) 691-4759
shereeunderwood7@gmail.com

PDF

Program Flyer

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
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More Information

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Courses

Students will enroll in the following courses while on this program:

HIST 201/390R—History of Civilization to 1500 CE/Field Studies in the History of Civilization (3 credit hours)
REL C 352/393R—Survey of Christianity (2 credit hours)
UNIV 210R—Ritual, Religion, and World Cultures (3 credit hours)
UNIV 218R—Sacred Lives, Families, and Communities (Social Science) (3 credit hours)
SFL 403R—Research/Creative Works Practicum: Sharing Sacred Encounters (3 credit hours)

Students may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
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Cost

$14,700–15,600

Includes Latter-day Saint undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduate and non–Latter-day Saint students), housing, in-program travel, group meals, and entrance fees.

Does not include airfare to and from the program, some individual meals, or personal expenses.
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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.

Generous funding from the College of Religious Education (REL ED) makes a $1,000 scholarship available to each BYU student who is admitted to the program. Successful applicants whose major is in the Colleges of Humanities (HUM) or Family, Home, and Social Science (FHSS) will receive another $1,000 scholarship.

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 additional financial-need funding: BYU students with financial need may receive up to $1,000 as an International Study Program (ISP) discount. They may also receive from REL ED and HUM a financial aid supplement that ranges from $500–$2,000.

BYU students are also strongly encouraged to seek experiential learning funds through their home department.

Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (see kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
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Preparation

Accepted students are required to participate in an international, cross-cultural preparation course (IAS 201R, 1 credit hour), held during the second-block of the winter 2024 semester.

Students participating in this study abroad must be able to meet its significant personal health standards. The physical, emotional, and mental health demands of this program are at least as rigorous as those of a full-time mission. Students requiring a medication regimen are responsible for arranging access to their medication for the duration of the program.

Students must meet all country- and program-specific COVID and health requirements for travel.
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Housing

Students will be housed in a variety of accommodations ranging from budget hotels and hostels to dormitories and converted convents. Think “pilgrimage” instead of “luxury travel.” Program accommodation will nonetheless be clean, safe, and suitable for our purposes.
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Travel

Students are responsible for purchasing their own airfare to and from the program sites. Airline reservations must be made through BYU Travel. Students should contact a BYU Travel agent.

BYU Travel
280 HRCB
(801) 422-6293
travel@byu.edu

Parents (and other individuals) are not allowed to visit their student during the program. They may, however, drop them off at the beginning of the program or pick them up at the end.
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Application Process

To participate in the program, students must meet the following requirements.
  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Have completed two consecutive semesters at BYU.
  • Have a GPA of 2.5 or better.
  • Meet the applicable health standards.
  • Support BYU's Honor Code.
Complete the online application here. A nonrefundable $35 application fee is required; students will be interviewed once the application is complete and may be admitted by the directors 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 page.

Participation is limited to 32 students, so apply soon!

Priority Deadline: 30 November 2023
Application Deadline: 30 January 2024
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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.
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Faculty

Director:
Grant Underwood, Professor in BYU's History Department, Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding.
2163 JFSB
(801) 422-7522
gru2@byu.edu

Associate Director:
Sheree Underwood
(801) 691-4759
shereeunderwood7@gmail.com

Associate Director:
David Dollahite
2092B JFSB
(801) 422-4179
david_dollahite@byu.edu
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Contact Us

International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
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ISP Student Handbook

To see the student handbook, click here.
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Payment Schedule

To see the payment schedule, click here.