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Identity, Democracy, and Conflict in Europe

Dates: 18 June–21 July 2027 (approx.)
Application Deadline: 1 December 2026

Throughout its history, Europe has been a continent of remarkable diversity. Differences in culture, ethnicity, religion, and political interests have often brought societies into conflict, culminating in the devastating wars of the twentieth century. In the aftermath of these conflicts, European countries increasingly embraced democracy and political integration in the hope of preventing history from repeating itself. For nearly six decades, democratic institutions and European integration fostered an unprecedented period of peace and cooperation, helping to bridge long-standing national and ethnic rivalries. Yet in recent years, these institutions have come under increasing strain, raising important questions about the future of democracy, security, and European unity. This study abroad program places students at the center of these debates. By exploring Europe's history, politics, and contemporary challenges firsthand, you will gain a deeper understanding of how the continent has evolved and where it may be headed. Along the way, you will develop the theoretical frameworks and analytical tools needed to make sense of Europe's past, interpret its present, and evaluate its future.

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Contact Us

Darren Hawkins
832 KMBL
(801) 473-7290
dhawkins@byu.edu

Doug Atkinson
780 KMBL
(801) 422-0413
atkinsond@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 credits from the following courses while on this program:

POLI 170/270—Introduction to International Politics (3 credit hours)
POLI 340—Democracy and Autocracy (3 credit hours)
POLI 378—International Conflict (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

$7,700–8,200

Includes Latter-day Saint undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduate and non–Latter-day Saint students), housing, group transportation on field trips, some meals, and international health insurance.

Does not include airfare, prep course tuition, 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.

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.

*Note that all students accepted to the program will be eligible to apply for an experiential learning grant to offset program costs.

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 2027 semester. Part-time BYU students and non-BYU students will need to pay an additional tuition fee. Accompanying spouses need to be credit-bearing participants on the program. Spouses will also need to apply online and take the preparation course.

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 stay in hotels and other arranged lodging (i.e. hostels) 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 page.

Application Deadline: 1 December 2026
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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

Darren Hawkins teaches courses on international relations and researches popular support for democracy and how people understand democracy. He has led multiple study abroad programs to Europe.

832 KMBL
(801) 473-7290
dhawkins@byu.edu

Doug Atkinson teaches and researches the domestic politics of war and conflict, with a particular focus on how political leaders distribute the costs of war across their populations and how citizens respond to those distributions. He has taught at two European institutions of higher education: Cardiff University (United Kingdom) and the University of Salzburg (Austria). His research draws on cases from Europe and North America, as well as other regions of the world.

780 KMBL
(801) 422-0413
atkinsond@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.