Since its start, the World Happiness Report has consistently ranked the Nordic countries as among the happiest countries in the world. What does happiness mean in the Nordic countries and why are they so happy? For our study abroad, we will take up the theme of Nordic happiness and this sense of well-being and contentment through close observations of the countries themselves. We will investigate the source of happiness—linked in the report to the wealth of the Nordic countries, focus on sustainability, relative safety and lack of corruption, and the generous social safety net—by experiencing the natural beauty of the Nordic region and their rich cultures, histories, and traditions. We will make Oslo our home base, but take extended excursions to Copenhagen, Reykjavík and Bergen. Along the way we’ll delve into Denmark’s world famous food culture and focus on sustainability initiatives, explore the fjords just outside of Bergen, take a trip to the Westman islands just outside of Reykjavík, and experience the conversion of Iceland’s raw natural forces into usable power. Along the way, we’ll enjoy the sites, smells, tastes, and sounds of some of the great capital cities of the Nordic region all in an effort to discover what Nordic happiness is and why it has become so influential.
Norway, Denmark, Iceland
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DATES
20 June–4 August 2022
HOUSING
Students will live in AirBnBs, VRBOs, and hotels with other students on the program.
COURSES
Students must take at least six credit hours from among the following courses:
SCAND 344r – The Happiest Place on Earth?: The Nordic Countries and Happiness (required of all students on study abroad)
IHUM 202 – Arts in Western Civilization (fulfills GE Arts and Letters)
SCAND 490r – Nordic Monuments, Memorials, and Museums
COST
$6000–6500
Includes BYU undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduate and non-LDS students), housing, group transportation on field trips, transportation within the region (both local and between countries), international health insurance, and group dinners once per week.
Does not include roundtrip airfare to and from Reykjavík, Iceland (estimated at $1,100–1,500); roundtrip airfare from Reykjavík, Iceland to Oslo, Norway and back (estimated at $200–350); food; personal expenses; and passport.
TRAVEL
Students are responsible for purchasing their own airfare to and from the program sites (to and from Reykjavík and then round trip airfare between Reykjavík and Oslo). Airfare reservations must be made through BYU Travel. Students should contact a BYU Travel agent at:
BYU Travel
280 HRCB | (801) 422-6293 | travel@byu.edu
PREPARATION
Students must be 18 years of age or older.
BYU welcomes students from any university to apply to participate on our study abroad programs. However, internships and direct enrollment programs are limited to BYU Provo students.
Accepted students are required to participate in a Study Abroad preparation course (IAS 201, 1 credit hour). This course will be held on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. during the second-block of winter semester.
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 by the time the program prep class begins.
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.
See kennedy.byu.edu/isp/financial-aid/ for more information.
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).
APPLICATION PROCESS
Complete the online application at kennedy.byu.edu/apply.
The application requires a $35 fee.
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 for payment schedule on the Kennedy Center website (see kennedy.byu.edu/isp-forms/ISPpayments2022.pdf).
Deadline: 30 December 2021
FACULTY
Nate Kramer is an associate professor in the Department of Comparative Arts and Letters and the director of the Scandinavian Studies program.
3031 JFSB
801-422-1932
nate_kramer@byu.edu
INTERESTED STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT
International Study Programs
101 HRCB
isp@byu.edu
801-422-3686
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.
