Vietnam is one of the most interesting, biological diverse countries in the world. It stretches over a thousand miles from north to south and you will travel over almost all of this, seeing the country from bottom to top (we will start in the south and drive north). In the south Vietnam is tropical, turning to subtropical in the North. The animal diversity is astounding and you will be able to watch it change as we travel. It has a fauna and flora that is heavily influenced by Cambodia, Laos, and China. It is a place for students to go to effortlessly experience rich culture, adventure, and biology. Students involved in the Vietnam study abroad will combine coursework and mentored research. Research will focus on the evolution of insects with a major focus on dragonflies and beetles. Students will travel between different regions spanning the country, mostly by car but by plane when necessary to document the species present and their distribution and behavior. The study abroad is designed to not only provide a completely unique mentored research experience but to also result in presentations at national meetings and peer-reviewed publications with student authors.
Vietnam Tropical Biodiversity
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DATES
2 May–17 June 2022 (approx)
HOUSING
Housing will be arranged for students in different settings in each region (e.g., bungalows, hotels, and native living). Students will be responsible for their own meals.
COURSES
No prerequisites, however BIO 130 or equivalent will greatly benefit students.
Required: 6 credit hours of BYU courses.
Participants may take:
BIO 441—General Entomology (3 credit hours)
BIO 494R—Research Credit (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
$5,400-5,900
Includes LDS undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for grads and non-LDS) and international health insurance.
The basic program cost includes several small and large group activities throughout Vietnam.
Does not include international airfare to and from Vietnam, most meals, or personal expenses such as souvenirs. Low-cost meals are available throughout Vietnam.
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
PREPARATION
Accepted students are required to participate in an international, cross-cultural preparation course (IAS 201R, 1.0 credit hour). This class will be held Thursdays 4:00–6:00 p.m. during the second block of winter semester 2021. Accompanying spouses need to be credit-bearing participants on the program. Spouses will also need to apply online and take the preparation course. Part-time BYU students and non-BYU students will need to pay an additional tuition fee for the prep course.
All participants are required to show proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination by the time the preparation course 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. They must indicate on their original online application that they want to be considered for financial aid. 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
Students must be adults 18 years of age or older.
Complete the $35 (non-refundable) online application at kennedy.byu.edu/apply.
Applicants will be interviewed once the application is complete.
Students will be notified via email of their acceptance into the program.
The first payment is due upon acceptance. Please refer to the current Payment Information document (see kennedy.byu.edu/isp-forms/ISPpayments2022.pdf).
Deadline: 15 December 2021
FACULTY
Seth Bybee is a professor of phylogenetic systematics in the department of Biology. He has traveled to over forty countries throughout the world to conduct biological research focused on dragonflies and beetle groups. Along with his wife, Libby, and his family, he looks forward to exploring one of the most diverse places on the planet, Vietnam.
SCHEDULE AND TIME COMMITMENT
Our program is less than ninety days. Students who wish to stay in Vietnam longer than ninety days must obtain a visa on their own. Parents are not to visit students during the official program time period. Students should not plan late arrivals to the host country, and they should plan to stay the entire length of the program.
INTERESTED STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT
International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
Seth Bybee
4057 LSB
(801) 422-3152
seth.bybee@gmail.com
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.