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Is there financial aid available? |
Study abroad is a program in which students travel along with their professors through foreign countries while earning BYU-I credit. To say it another way, normal BYU-I students get out of the classroom and take to the road, air, water or whatever, to make the most of their education. Think of it as a month-long international field trip. The idea and design of the program is to accentuate the learning experiences of students by making their classes based on experiences rather than just textbooks. Because students learn about the places they're seeing, they're not just collectors. Instead, the experiences and places become a part of them. Study Abroad isn't just a list of places; it's a lifetime of experiences.
Study Abroad Programs are designed to take you far beyond the fluorescent lights of a classroom to places you usually only read about. Study anthropology, for example, standing atop ancient Maya pyramids, meandering through a bustling market place in Guatemala, talking with a Belizean fisherman, and living with an LDS family in Mexico. Find biology not from reading text books but while hiking through rainforest and snorkeling coral reefs. Experience first hand the complex social problems caused by overcrowding and poverty as you weave down crowded sidewalks and come face to face with malnourished children pleading for meals. Learn Spanish by speaking with schoolchildren, street vendors, and LDS members at church. Discover culture as you experience the color, beauty, strength, and traditions of a bold people who have lasted for thousands of years through triumph, persecution, and conquest. Feel the spirit of the Book of Mormon as you walk through ancient MesoAmerican ruins.
In the process, your studies come to life. Classes are more in-depth, creating a deeper appreciation for the subjects you study. This is because your information comes not from a single text or teacher; your learning is not isolated and without context as is often the case in traditional classes. Instead, professors come together from their separate disciplines of science, religion, social science, and the humanities to help students see the connections between the subjects they study. Indeed the goal is to view every experience from a multiplicity of different angles and subject areas.
Just as importantly, you'll grow spiritually. Many students are surprised that the most spiritual moments don't come from looking at ruins, but generally from going to church with members, from the testimony meetings we have as a group, or even from their own person scripture study.
In short, you should go on Study Abroad because it replaces the black and white sterility of your text books with the hot mugginess of the rainforest, the smells of the taquerias, the howls of monkeys announcing the coming rain, the grandeur of ancient pyramids, and the smiles of a warm, genuine people. You see and experience to understand for yourself. You go on MesoAmerica because this is where real learning begins.
MesoAmerica is a geographical region extending over Guatemala, the southern portions of Mexico, Belize, and the Western portions of El Salvador and Honduras. Beyond its geography however, MesoAmerica is a tightly knit fabric of shared culture, ethnicity, trade and political systems. Although home to a great variety of distinct peoples--including the Olmecs, Zapotecs, Teotihuacans, Maya, Mixtec, and Aztec--each share similar customs, myths, and ideas. These commonalities arose from a long history of cultures melded together in trade, conquest, migrations, and intermarriage. Most central to all of their views and, indeed, influencing every facet of their lives, was a complex religion steeped in the study of the stars and mythical Gods. It was from this obsession with the heavens that they developed complex astronomical calculations as well as sophisticated numerical notation and calendar systems which were centuries ahead of Europe. The pyramids were a result of a people who where trying to build their temples into the heavens and ever closer to their Gods. Were these the Lamanites and Nephites of the Book of Mormon? Come walk with us through their ancient ruins and pueblos and decide for yourself
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Yes. This is an academic program and everyone must take at least 5 credits. Although you can take up to 10 credits, we don't recommend you take that many. You don't want to go to MesoAmerica just to sit in a hotel room and study. Most students take 2 major classes. For more details on classes, see the classes page on this web site.
Classes work like this: Before the start of the trip, students select which courses they will take from the list of tour classes. Each student will take five to ten credits. Any student can sign up for any class--there are no class limits. Classes run for the duration of the program--approximately five weeks--during which time the professors hold classes, lecture, give handouts, etc. Classes may require assignments, papers, and/or exams. As with any university class, your grades will be based on these assignments. However, study abroad classes usually have the added dimension of required experiential activities.
Even though the classes each student takes may differ, we still all travel as one group, stay in the same hotels, and visit the same sites together. We have found that most of the things we see and experience can be viewed from multiple perspectives, whether they be religious, sociological, biological or anthropological.
What classes are taught? (jumps to classes page elsewhere on this site)
$2495
Includes:
Transportation (round trip air fare to and from
Salt Lake, bus/boat fare, airport taxes)
All meals in MesoAmerica
Lodging in MesoAmerica
Entrance fees/tickets to mandatory attractions
Does not include:
Tuition
Souvenirs, film, camera, snacks
Passport fee
Extra activities you’ll want to do during free time
Books, supplies for classes
Water
(You'll need to buy water every day--it's readily available everywhere.
Plan for about $1/day.)
Expenses for your week in Rexburg (We suggest you
stay in your apartment or with a friend, bishop, or professor. There is also
dorm space available for about $12/night.)
How much spending money should I take?
Students have spent from $150-$600 while on the tour. We recommend about $300. How much spending money you'll need depends on the size of your family and number of your friends (and how many gifts they expect), your love of (or distaste for) shopping, and the amount of space in your suitcase. It also depends on how often you want to call home (which is quite expensive). See above for the list of things you'll need to pay for yourself. See the "Money Matters while Traveling" document for more information.
Payment Schedule:
You may pay for the tour in one lump sum or use the
following payment schedule:
$300 deposit, due within a week of your acceptance
to the program.
Deposit payment reserves your spot on the tour.
$700 by January 10, 2009
$700 by February 1, 2009
$795 by March 1, 2009
Is there financial aid available?
Yes. All the normal financial aid opportunities are available. Tuition scholarships, Pell grants, and student loans can all be used for this trip. In addition, every year we have students receive travel scholarships from organizations in their hometowns. Check with your high school guidance counselor or with a financial aid officer in a community college in your home town. Also, check our our suggestions for getting money.
Every year we go during first summer term, or mid-April through mid-May. The 2009 tour starts on campus with classes April 13. After 2 weeks of classes we travel for 4 weeks, returning around May 27.
Who can go? (tracks, married students, non-BYUI students)
Anyone can go on the tour--no matter what track you're on, your marital status, etc. However, everyone must enroll at BYUI and take at least 5 credits. There is no additional discount for married students. (Married students get an automatic discount--because they share a room with only one other person, they cost more than single students who share rooms with 3-4 other people.)
What immunizations and health issues should I be concerned with?
For a complete list of recommended vaccines and health guidelines visit the Centers For Disease Control web page at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm . Note that the vaccines listed here are only recommended. That is, you do not have to get them in order to enter the countries we visit or go on the tour itself. Not all student who go decide to get these vaccines. Some of the vaccines are probably more helpful and important than others. You can receive these vaccines from your doctor or the District 7 health department (356-3239). They can help you decide which immunizations are most important for you.
Traveler Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common illness when visiting other countries. Unfortunately we're no exception to the rule. While some people never get "Montezuma's Revenge," we once had a tour participant (returned-missionary from South America) who said that if you don't get sick you're not really living the culture. We don't recommend such a cavalier attitude; however, we do want you to experience the culture--just carefully. You can do much to avoid getting sick by washing your hands and being careful of what and where you eat. We'll give you some suggestions to help. Even if you do experience diarrhea while on the tour, it is usually not to the degree that it is incapacitating. (In other words, although you might make friends with the toilet you won't marry it.)
Malaria is a disease carried by mosquitoes. It is endemic to some of the areas we will be traveling through so you may decide to take anti-malaria pills before and while you're on the tour. Most tour participants in the past have not to taken anti- malaria pills because we travel in the dry season when mosquitoes are generally not a problem. Again, talk to your doctor for his/her suggestions.
No. But the more Spanish you speak, the richer your experience will be. We suggest that if you've never had Spanish that you at least try to audit a class before we go.
Applications are available from any of the professors (Sis. Moen in Smith 356, Bro. Griffith in Benson 294A, Bro. Palmer in Taylor 224), from the English Department Office (Rigby Hall 190), or on-line.
Once you have the application. . .
1. Fill it out and get the necessary signatures
2. Take/fax/mail your application to
Joelle Moen
Smith 356
English Dept.
BYU-Idaho
Rexburg, ID 83460-0820
Fax: 208-496-5462
3. Wait a couple of weeks. We'll notify you of your acceptance via e-mail. Once you've been accepted to the tour you'll have about a week to pay the $300 non-refundable deposit.
Where do we go? (Takes you to the itinerary page on this web site.)
First, you need to know that most of the places we go are no more dangerous than anywhere in the US. In fact, many people feel safer in MesoAmerica than in many cities of the US. (This includes your female director, Sis. Moen, who's traveled throughout Mexico by herself.) Second, while every country has anti-government rebels (including the US), the anti-government groups in MesoAmerica don't target Americans. In fact, on the whole, they actually like Americans--mostly because they realize that hurting Americans leads to bad press and a decrease in tourist dollars. In other words, there are no anti-American terrorist groups in MesoAmerica as there are in many other places in the world.
Having said all that, we take your safety very seriously. To ensure your safety, we not only take precautions for the group as a whole but also expect certain individual behaviors from you.
Here's what we do:
C We avoid unsafe behaviors and places. We read state department guidelines and watch travel warnings. Also, we charter a bus with an experienced driver who advises us on safety and keeps us up to date on changing situations.
C In places that require caution, we hire guards. While we've never needed to use a guard, when we're uncertain of the situation, we take extra precautions.
Here's what we expect from you:
C Be your brother's/sister's keeper. Help each other, bear each other's burdens, look out for each other. Let the directors know if someone needs help.
C Follow the "buddy system." While you don't have to stick with the same person for the whole tour or even a whole day, you need to be with at least one other person or in sight of the group, especially when we're in large cities. This is for your safety and your parents' peace of mind; plus, it helps us find you if you're lost. Don't worry, unlike the MTC, we let you go to the bathroom alone.
C Maintain radio contact. We have small two-way radios that have up to a two-mile range. At least one person in your group should have his or her radio on and turned up.
C Don't flash cash. It's as rude abroad as it is at home. Be street smart and discrete. If you need to pull out cash, do so inconspicuously. Try to arrange your cash for the day in the hotel. Always use your money belt/neck pouch/whatever. Plan on any money in your pockets being lost or stolen. Keep your camera close to your body.
C Don't flirt or date. While we encourage you to meet other young people, you can't date outside our tour group. It's just not smart.
The last thing to remember is that the horror stories you hear in the press are exceptions to the rule. For every bad experience you might hear of, you'll have 100 wonderful experiences with amazingly warm and friendly people. On the whole, MesoAmerica is one of the world's great place to travel and study abroad there will create the memories of a lifetime.