SOCIAL MEDIA AND GLOBAL IMPACT
Get the best of both worlds of study abroad, as we engage in culturally significant experiences and build a global network with executives and opinion leaders throughout Italy and Austria. This study abroad will help you develop social media influence by exploring current social issues with global impact. The final result? A professional portfolio of social media content through research, networking, and cultural experiences around Italy and Austria, including Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, Salzburg, Hallstatt, and Vienna.
Walk the steps of the old world in Rome and visit the Church’s new temple, while digging into the global issues facing Italy and the rest of Europe today. Indulge in Florence’s classic old town and connect with opinion leaders in the Tuscan region. Visit the heart of Milan while connecting with executives and opinion leaders in its fast-paced media and fashion industry. Learn from social media professionals in major global organizations (including the Area Communication Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Finally, discover Salzburg’s musical hills and finish your social impact project in Vienna.
*This program is open to all majors.
DATES
20 June–18 July 2022
HOUSING
Students will stay in hostels, hotels or apartments.
COURSES
Students must register for 6 credit hours from among the following courses:
COMMS 350 Visual Communication (3 credit hours)
COMMS 382 Issues in Global Communication (3 credit hours)
Students may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval from the program director and ISP.
COST
$4,400–4,800
Includes Latter-day Saint undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduate and non-Latter-day-Saint students), lodging, group transportation, group admission fees, and international health insurance.
Not included: airfare, meals and personal expenses.
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
PREPARATION
Students are required to complete all necessary prerequisites courses prior to departure for major classes.
Accepted students are required to participate in an international, cross-cultural preparation course (IAS 201, 1 credit hour).
This evening course will be held during the second block of winter semester 2022. Part-time and non-BYU students will need to pay an additional tuition fee for enrolling in the prep class.
Accompanying spouses need to be credit-bearing participants on the program. Spouses will also need to apply online and take the preparation course.
All participants are required to show proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination (including booster) at least two weeks prior to departure.
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 and may be considered for other scholarships. They must indicate on their original online application that they want to be considered for financial aid.
Scholarships may be available for qualified majors from the School of Communications.
Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (see kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
APPLICATION PROCESS
Students must be 18 years-of-age or older to participate.
Complete the online application at kennedy.byu.edu/apply. 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 2022 Payment Information document (see kennedy.byu.edu/isp forms/ISPpayments2022.pdf).
Priority Deadline: 19 October 2021
FACULTY
Brian G. Smith is an associate professor of communications, public relations, and social media for the School of Communications. He received his PhD from the University of Maryland and his MA from BYU. Smith has traveled extensively in Europe and has led study abroad programs in Italy, Austria, and Spain. Accompanying him is his wife, Staci, and three children.
(801) 422-7889
bgsmithphd@byu.edu
SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT
Students should plan to be with the group in Italy from 20 June and remain with the program until its conclusion.
INTERESTED STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT
International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
kennedy.byu.edu/isp
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.
