The great 18th-century British writer, Samuel Johnson, famously wrote, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” This is even more true of the 21st-Century city. London is a global financial capital, has some of the greatest theatre in the world, boasts superb international cuisine, is full of beautiful parks and gardens, and features an amazing array of museums and other cultural institutions. There is truly something for everyone in contemporary London.
The London Centre Spring 2021 program will focus on the history and culture of the British Isles. Our texts will be the city itself, as well as many other sites throughout England and Scotland. In London, we will attend West End plays and musicals, eat amazing food, and visit such iconic sites as the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, and possibly even Platform 9 ¾. Beyond the city, we will visit the Scottish Highlands, Canterbury, Stourhead, Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford, Cornwall, and many other fascinating destinations. All of this during the most beautiful time of the year in London. By the end of the program you will be able to join Samuel Johnson in saying, “By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show.”
DATES
Approximately 27 April – 14 June 2021
HOUSING AND FOOD
Students reside and take classes in the recently refurbished London Centre in the vibrant, conveniently located West End neighborhood of Bayswater. The Centre is a short Tube ride from most central London attractions and just minutes by foot from Kensington Gardens, Notting Hill, and hundreds of shops and restaurants. Program costs include self-serve breakfasts and chef-prepared dinners all days except Saturday, and students can generally lunch on PBJs or the previous night’s leftovers. The Centre offers free laundry facilities, a library, a lounge, and Wi-Fi access.
MEALS AT THE LONDON CENTRE
Student participants are required to help in food preparation and clean-up. Because of the communal nature of the meals, the BYU London Centre cannot meet all special dietary needs nor can it ensure a safe environment for those with food allergies. Please also note that other than a communal microwave, students do not have accommodations in the Centre, and may not bring their own accommodations to the Centre, to prepare food for themselves individually. If you have dietary or allergy concerns, we recommend that you speak with the International Study Programs office before you apply.
COURSES
Accepted students register as a full-time student (6 credit hours) in the following courses:
- UNIV 218R: Sociology of London (3 credits) with Curtis Child (Fulfills GE Social Science credit under the Arts, Letters and Sciences requirement)
- EUROP 336R / HIST 323 British History (3 credits) with Eric Dursteler (Fulfills GE Global and Cultural Awareness)
All accepted students living within 90 minutes of Provo must also register for IAS 201R (1 credit), a required pre-departure preparation course that will be taught as an evening course during the second block of Winter 2021 semester. Participants may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
COST
$5,000-5,500 (final amount will depend in part on US/UK exchange rates in spring 2021)
Program cost estimate includes full-time Latter-day Saint undergraduate tuition (costs higher for graduate and Non-Latter-day Saint students); housing at the Centre; breakfast and dinner all days except Saturday; admission to program-related events, museums, and historical sites; transportation within London; travel, lodging, and meals on program excursions within UK; and international health insurance coverage. Part-time BYU and non-BYU students must pay an additional $300 for the Winter 2021 preparation course. Not included: airfare to/from London, lunches and Saturdays meals, passport fees, and personal expenses.
TRAVEL
Students are responsible for purchasing their own airfare to and from the program. Airfare reservations must be made through BYU Travel. Students should contact a BYU Travel agent at:
BYU Travel | 801-422-6293 | travel@byu.edu | 280 HRCB
FUNDING SOURCES
BYU tuition scholarships, Pell Grants, and Federal Insured Student Loans may be applied to study abroad programs. BYU students are strongly encouraged to request experiential education funding through their home department and/or college and the ORCA program. Those who complete the financial aid section of the ISP application and file a current FAFSA form at BYU’s Financial Aid Office (A-41 ASB) will also be considered for a need-based study abroad scholarship. Students may also pursue private grants and scholarships, including those listed online at kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Students must be adults, 18 years-of-age or older. While London Centre programs primarily serve undergraduates from BYU-Provo, students from other universities who are committed to a rigorous academic experience and adhering to BYU’s Honor Code are also invited to apply. Interested students may contact the faculty directors at any point. Applications are available online at kennedy.byu.edu/apply. While the final application deadline is December 15, 2020, there is a rolling admissions process and the directors will begin interviewing applicants and admitting strong candidates during the late summer and early fall of 2020. Those who submit polished, academically-focused applications by the November 15, 2020 priority deadline will improve their chances of being admitted to what will likely prove a highly selective program. The first payment is due upon acceptance. Please refer to the 2021 Payment Information document (see kennedy.byu.edu/isp-forms/ISPpayments2021.pdf).
FACULTY
Eric Dursteler (director) is a professor of early modern European history in the BYU History Department. He has directed study abroad programs in Paris and Europe, and was director of the London program in 2011 and 2018. He will be accompanied by his wife, Whitney.
Curtis Child (associate director) is an associate professor of sociology. He will be accompanied by his wife, Sage, and four children (ages 4 to 15).
INTERESTED STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT
International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
kennedy.byu.edu/isp
Eric Dursteler
(801) 422-5260
ericd@byu.edu
Curtis CHild
(801) 422-8079
cchild@byu.edu
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.
