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Landscapes and Nations in Western Europe

Dates: 24 June–29 July 2023 (approx.)
Application Deadline: 30 November 2022

IRELAND, UK, BELGIUM, FRANCE, SPAIN

This geographical journey through Western Europe will visit five countries (Ireland, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, and Spain) and multiple non-state nations (Scotland, North Ireland, Wales, Flanders, Basque Country, and Catalonia) to better understand historic and contemporary issues stemming from nations and nationalism. We will consider political, cultural, linguistic, and religious influences in the formation of nation-states, the aspirations of separatist regions, the impact of immigrants and minorities on national identity, and the role of postnationalism as represented by the European Union. Along our way we will meet with folks from all walks of life to better understand their experiences living in the dynamic political landscape of Europe.

Additionally, we will hike, bike, walk, ferry, and ride through many other geographical landscapes: urban and rural, agrarian and industrial, religious and secular, mountain and shore. We will climb Ben Lomond in Scotland, walk a section of Offa’s Dyke (an ancient border between Wales and England), and hike the first leg of the Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail over the Pyrenees Mountains from France into Spain. We will also bike through the WWI battlefields and memorials in Flanders Fields and through the vineyards of Southern France. We will visit castles, cathedrals, restaurants, beaches, museums, monuments, headquarters, and neighborhoods. Students will also have ample free time to explore iconic cites like Edinburgh, Belfast, Derry, Dublin, London, Canterbury, Bruges, Brussels, Paris, Bordeaux, Donostia-San Sebastian, Bilbao, and Barcelona.

Click here to apply today!

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Contact Us

Samuel Otterstrom
690F KMBL
(801) 422-7751
samuel_otterstrom@byu.edu

PDF

Program Flyer

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
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More Information

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Courses

Students will enroll in 6 credit hours from the following courses:

GEOG 130—Introduction to Human Geography
GEOG 260—Geography of Europe
GEOG 493R—Nations and Nationalism

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

$5,700–6,200

Includes Latter-day Saint undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduate and non–Latter-day Saint students), all program excursions, and international health insurance.

Does not include airfare, local transportation, personal expenses, or meals.
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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 (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). This class will be held during the second block of the winter 2023 semester. Part-time BYU students and non-BYU students will need to pay an additional tuition fee.

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

Students will stay in hotels and other arranged lodging (i.e. Airbnb properties) during the program.
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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
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Application Process

Students must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Complete the online application here. A nonrefundable $35 application fee is required; applicants will be interviewed once the application is 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 Payment Information document.

Application Deadline: 30 November 2022
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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

Samuel Otterstrom teaches in the Department of Geography. He is an associate dean in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences.

690F KMBL
(801) 422-7751
samuel_otterstrom@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.