The purpose of this program is to provide an experiential learning opportunity for students to better understand the human and physical geography of Asia with a particular emphasis on how heritage and culture are represented in the landscapes of five countries, six islands (Bali, Java, Krakatoa, Sumatra, Kyushu, and Honshu) and many iconic cities like Kyoto, Nara, Nagasaki, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Ubud, Jogjakarta, Jakarta and Saigon. We will visit volcanoes and rice terraces, snorkel along coral reefs, camp in a tropical rain forest in search of orangutans, explore the temples of Angkor Wat, boat down the Mekong, marvel at the ports ringing Japan’s Inland Sea and hike an ancient Japanese pilgrimage trail of Kumano Kodo. We will walk, hike, bike, bus, and bullet train through distinct landscapes, both urban and rural, that have been formed over time by human interaction with the environment. We will visit markets, places of worship (ancient and modern), museums, and memorials. We will examine linguistic, religious, political, historical, cultural, and culinary differences between cities and countries. As we travel, we will always seek to understand “the why of the where”. For example, why is Java different from Bali or what differentiates the varying levels of development of the two archipelagic states of Japan and Indonesia? In terms of heritage, culture, and tourism, we will visit many different sites seeking to remember natural disasters and human tragedies (dark tourism). These memorial sites include tsunamis (Aceh), earthquakes (Kobe), volcanic eruptions (Merapi and Krakatoa), genocide (Cambodia), nuclear bombs (Nagasaki and Hiroshima), and wars (Vietnam).
Geography of Asia
Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan
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DATES
16 May – 18 June 2022 (approximately)
HOUSING
Students will stay in hotels and spend one night camping.
COURSES
6 credit hours from the following:
GEOG 130 – Introduction to Human Geography (3 credit hours) (fulfills Global Awareness GE requirement)
GEOG 272/273 – Geography of Asia (3 credit hours) (fulfills Global Awareness GE requirement)
GEOG 353 – Heritage and Cultural Tourism (3 credit hours)
Participants may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
COST
$5,100-5,600
Includes Latter-day Saint, undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduate and non–Latter-day Saint students), all program excursions, and international health insurance.
Does not include airfare, local transportation, personal expenses, or meals.
TRAVEL
Students are responsible for purchasing their own airfare to and from the program sites. Airfare 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
Accepted students are required to participate in an international, cross-cultural preparation course (IAS 201R, 1 credit hour). This evening course will be held during the second block of winter semester 2022. Part-time BYU students and non-BYU students will need to pay an additional tuition fee for this 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 must indicate in the financial aid section of the original online ISP application and have a current FAFSA form on file at the financial Aid Office (A-41 ASB) in order to be considered for a study abroad scholarship. Academic departments and colleges may assist with scholarships, grants, and experiential learning awards.
Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
APPLICATION PROCESS
Students must be adults 18 years of age or older. Complete the online application at kennedy.byu.edu/apply. The application requires a $35 fee. Applicants will be interviewed throughout the fall semester and may be admitted previous to the deadline.
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 document (see kennedy.byu.edu/isp-forms/ISPpayments2022.pdf).
Deadline: 21 January 2022
FACULTY
Chad Emmett regularly teaches the geography of Southeast Asia, has co-led a tsunami research study abroad to Indonesia and taught on Semester at Sea as it visited ports from Yokohama to Yangon.
(801) 422-7886 | chad_emmett@byu.edu
Dan Olsen teaches world regional geography and tourism-related courses, including cultural and heritage tourism, and also does research related to religious, heritage, and dark forms of tourism.
(801) 422-9447 | dholsen@byu.edu
SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT
Students should plan to participate for the full duration of the program, and should refrain from scheduling early arrivals or late departures.
INTERESTED STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT
International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@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.