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Social and Cultural Transformation in Southern Africa (All Inclusive)

Dates: 26 June–7 August 2026
Application Deadline: 9 February 2026

Combine academic depth with unforgettable experience in this all-inclusive program. The cost includes BYU tuition, international flights, hotels, transportation, all meals, all program activities, and international health insurance. With every major detail arranged in advance, you are free to fully immerse yourself in learning, travel, service, and cultural engagement across Southern Africa.

Experience Southern Africa through travel, adventure, and deep cultural immersion. You’ll journey through 4 countries—South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and Eswatini—exploring vibrant cities, rural mountain villages, and world-renowned natural landscapes. From standing on Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years), hiking to waterfalls and mountain viewpoints, and visiting townships like Soweto, to participating in hands-on cultural workshops and a multi-day safari in Kruger National Park, this program blends learning with unforgettable experiences. Along the way, you’ll engage with local communities, universities, and cultural institutions as you explore how families, faith, and institutions respond to inequality, resilience, migration, and social change in real-world contexts.

Click here to apply today!

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Contact Us

Spencer James
2095 JFSB
(801) 422-6682
spencer_james@byu.edu

Sherinah Saasa
2173 JFSB
(801) 422-4687
sherinah_saasa@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 during Summer 2026. Options depend on prior coursework:

IAS 221—Introduction to Africana Studies (3 credit hours)
IAS 491—Directed Research for African Studies Minor (3 credit hours) (alternative for students who have already completed IAS 221)
SFL 354—Cross-Cultural Family and Human Development (3 credit hours)
SFL 403R—Research/Creative Works Practicum (varies; 3 credit hours typically) (alternative for students who have already completed SFL 354)

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

$11,900–12,400

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

Does not include prep course tuition, passport fees, or personal expenses. U.S. citizens do not need visas for any of the countries visited on this program.
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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).

We encourage interested students to first contact their major and/or minor departments for information about Experiential Learning Funding. Directors are happy to visit with interested students to help facilitate this process.
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Preparation

Prerequisites may apply depending on your major. Please consult the program director to confirm if any are required in your case.

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 2026 semester.

Students will be expected to readily comply fully with established safety protocols, including curfew hours and all other regulations designed to ensure their well-being. In addition, they are expected to enthusiastically conduct themselves as exemplary representatives of Brigham Young University and of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, striving to honor their covenants in every aspect of their lives. Students should refrain from scheduling late arrivals or early departures.

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

All student accommodations are arranged and coordinated by the program. Housing will be in safe, vetted guest houses and international hotels.
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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: 9 February 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

Spencer James
Professor, School of Family Life
2095 JFSB
(801) 422-6682
spencer_james@byu.edu

Sherinah Saasa
Associate Professor, School of Social Work
2173 JFSB
(801) 422-4687
sherinah_saasa@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.