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David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies
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Malawi International Development

Dates: 6 May–11 July 2026 (approx.)
Application Deadline: 30 November 2025
Apply Now

The Malawi International Development partners with the School of Agriculture for Family Independence (SAFI) in rural Malawi. Students from many majors work individually or in small teams with a SAFI staff member on research and evaluation projects that help guide SAFI’s programs related to agriculture, nutrition, public health, education, women’s empowerment, and other areas. Interns live at SAFI’s campus and spend time traveling to Lilongwe (Malawi’s capital city), Lake Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana. This internship is a good fit for students who are interested in international development and want an authentic development experience working at the community level in rural Africa.

Click here to apply today!

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Contact Us

Laura Jefferies
S133 ESC
(801) 422-9290
laura_jefferies@byu.edu

Rick Jellen
5009 LSB
(801) 422-7279
rick_jellen@byu.edu

Jeff Glenn
2032 LSB
(801) 422-9754
jeff_glenn@byu.edu

PDF

Program Flyer

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
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More Information

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Courses

Students will register for a total of 12 credit hours during the program. The following two courses are required:

PWS 420—International Agricultural Development (3 credit hours)
HLTH 492R—Directed Public Health Readings: Intersectoral Action for Sustainable Development (3 credit hours)

They may choose from the following internship courses:

IAS 399R—Academic Internship (6 credit hours)
HLTH 496R—Academic Internship (6 credit hours)

Other classes related to health and development may be accepted if approved by the faculty director and ISP office.

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

$5,600–6,100

Includes Latter-day Saint undergraduate full-tuition (increased cost for graduate and non–Latter-day Saint students), housing, all meals while in village, in-country transportation, international health insurance coverage, and travel expenses for local and international excursions.

Does not include airfare to and from Malawi, some meals, souvenirs, passport, visa, or vaccinations.
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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); including up to $1000 from the Nu Skin Scholarship Fund.
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Preparation

Accepted students are required to participate in IAS 369R International Internship Prep (1 credit hour) during second block of winter semester 2026.

It is recommended that students take IAS 220—Introduction to Development Studies (3 credit hours) during the fall or winter semester before the program.

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.

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

Interns stay on site in dorms at SAFI in Mtalimanja Village, approximately 2 hours from Lilongwe.
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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: 30 November 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

Laura Jefferies, Associate Professor of Food Science
S133 ESC
(801) 422-9290
laura_jefferies@byu.edu


Rick Jellen, Professor of Plant and Wildlife Sciences
5009 LSB
(801) 422-7279
rick_jellen@byu.edu

Jeff Glenn, Professor of Public Health
2032 LSB
(801) 422-9754
jeff_glenn@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.