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David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies
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Light and Truth

Dates: 20 June–21 July 2026 (approx.)
Application Deadline: 20 November 2025
Apply Now

PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE RESTORATION IN THE BRITISH ISLES AND WESTERN EUROPE

The concepts of light and truth are repeatedly paired in scripture. “The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth,” the Lord revealed through Joseph Smith (Doctrine and Covenants 93:36). This travel study will partner studying light through the medium of photography with the study of truth throughout the history of the Church in the British Isles and continental Europe. We anticipate exploring great European cities including London, Paris, and Lisbon.

We plan to navigate the breathtaking English, Belgian, and French countrysides, hike along surreal coastlines in Spain and Portugal, experience historic Christian pilgrimage destinations, and photograph stunning landscapes in the region. Our program will follow the footsteps of early Apostles and missionaries across the British Isles and continental Europe, studying sacred stories of sacrifice in sites like Preston, Herefordshire, and Liverpool. Through the lens of a camera and the eye of faith, students will learn about the lands where the gospel first took root internationally, deepening their own conversion to that message as well as their ability to visually communicate its beauty.

Click here to apply today!

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Contact Us

Scott Esplin
370A JSB
(801) 422-2424
scott_esplin@byu.edu

Paul Adams
1169 WCCB
(801) 422-8742
paul_adams@byu.edu

PDF

Program Flyer

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
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More Information

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Courses

Students will register for 6 credit hours, including 3 credit hours of REL C and 3 credit hours of DESPH or FNART, from the following courses:

*REL C 225—Foundations of the Restoration (2 credit hours): fulfills a Religious Education Core requirement
REL C 393R—Special Studies in Religion (2 credit hours)
REL C 350R—Religious Studies in a World Setting (1 credit hour)
DESPH 116—Intro to Photography and Digital Workflow (3 credit hours)
DESPH 394R—Photographic Special Topics (3 credit hours)
*FNART 270R—Global Arts and Culture (3 credit hours): fulfills the Arts requirement of General Education

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

$7,500–7,900

Includes Latter-day Saint undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduate and non–Latter-day Saint students), housing, excursions, admissions, in-program transportation, some breakfasts, and international health insurance coverage.

Does not include airfare to London and return from continental Europe, 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 201, 1 credit hour). This course will be held during the second block of winter semester 2026.

Part-time and non-BYU students will need to pay an additional tuition fee for enrolling in the prep class.

All students participating in the program will be traveling together with the directors. Participants will be expected to travel with the program group between the dates specified. Free time will be given to work on curricular assignments.

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

International study programs are physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing and you must be in good health to participate. These programs often take place in international locations that do not have the same level of safety and services in terms of transportation, living conditions, residential accommodations, food, public behavior, and policing that you may be used to on campus. If you have further questions or concerns on this, please see our travel policy.
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Housing

Students will stay in hostels and hotels in the various study sites.
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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 page.

Application Deadline: 31 October 2025
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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

Paul Adams is a professor of photography at BYU. Adams specializes in landscape photography and cultural studies. He currently has works exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian and the Royal Photographic Society in London.

1169 WCCB
(801) 422-8742
paul_adams@byu.edu

Scott Esplin is dean of Religious Education at BYU. The author of an award-winning book on Church historic sites, he specializes in religious tourism, pilgrimage, and early twentieth century Latter-day Saint history.

370A JSB
(801) 422-2424
scott_esplin@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.