2009 European Religious History Travel Study Program
Purpose
- Build testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and encourage the living of its principles
- Develop greater knowledge and deeper convictions of the Lord's hand in bringing to pass the salvation of his children in the period of the Old Testament, New Testament, early Christianity, the Apostasy, Reformation, and Restoration
- Prepare students for lifelong learning
- Give them firsthand knowledge and experience with the religious history, art, architecture, music, culture, and language of God's children in Europe
Overview
This is an opportunity to go beyond the traditional classroom and experience first-hand the religion, history, art, architecture, culture, language, music, and food in Italy, Germany, France, England, and Denmark. You will embark on the learning adventure of a lifetime that will change the way you view the world. Join us for a journey you'll never forget.
This exciting, fast-paced travel study program takes place during the first block of the Spring Semester 2009.
It has four components:
- First, some preliminary independent study to broaden your knowledge base
- Second, a two week intensive on-campus study to prepare you for Europe
- Third, a three week on-site study at some of the most significant locations in Europe. The on-site portion is based around the following core sites: Rome, Florence, Pisa, Berlin, Wittenberg, Paris, Liverpool, Preston, London, and Copenhagen.
- And finally, a post-travel assessment of what you learned and felt
Throughout this sweeping panorama, we will observe the Lord's tender influence from the time of Peter and Paul in Rome through the Catholic Reformation and Renaissance in Florence, the Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in Wittenberg, John Calvin in Paris, Henry the VIII, Anne Boleyn, William Tyndale, and John Wesley in London, then walk in the footsteps of Heber C. Kimball & Wilford Woodruff as these latter-day apostles brought the fullness of the restored gospel back to Europe.
In the process, we will experience some of the world's greatest architecture, art, sculpture, and music, including works by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Christopher Wren, Handel, Thorvaldsen, and Bloch. We will also eat lots of Italian gelato, German schnitzel, French crepes, English pasties, and Danish pastries.
This experience is rich and educational. It's also incredibly enjoyable! The European Religious History Travel Study Program is an experience where virtually everything is course related. Western Europe is a classroom you'll never forget!
Dates for 2009
From the time of acceptance until April 20th (the first day of on-campus classes)-Preliminary Independent Study
First Block of Spring Semester
April 20-28-On-campus Intensive Study (BYU-I, Rexburg)
April 30-May 22-Onsite Travel Study (Europe)
May 23-29-Post-travel Assessments (Online; can be completed from any location)
Travel Study Objectives and Detailed Itinerary
Click here for a more detailed look at the travel study objectives and itinerary.
Faculty
Faculty Office Phone Email
Leonard Petersen, Director Taylor 226 496-1446 petersenl@byui.edu
Dale Sturm, Co-director Taylor 202B 496-1445 sturmd@byui.edu
What We Are Looking for in Travel Study Candidates
A Travel Study Program, as the term implies, is an opportunity to study while traveling. Therefore, we are looking for students, not tourists-students who not only want to "go to Europe" or "see Europe," but study about and study in Europe, particularly the religious history from Peter and Paul in Rome to Heber C. Kimball and Wilford Woodruff in England.
So, the European Religious History Travel Study Program is not just a ride to Europe for a shopping spree in Florence and Paris. Nearly all of the sites and events are carefully selected to support the purpose and curriculum.
At the same time, we are looking for candidates who are fun-loving and can extract every drop of joy out of the experience. While we do study hard, there will also be ample opportunities for free time after the day's studies are concluded, during which you can explore and enjoy the culture, the sites, the sounds, the smells, the tastes, and the wonders of being in some of the world's most amazing places.
Equally important, we are looking for candidates who can get a long with others and foster peace and cooperation. Being in classes, on planes and buses, in lines and hostels with the same people 24/7 for five weeks is emotionally and socially taxing and will require a temperament and dispostion that can look for the best in others while overlooking their shortcomings, that is slow to take offense and quick to forgive. It will require controling one's tongue as well as one's thoughts, seeking reconciliation.
We are looking for students who can govern themselves in keeping with correct principles, who will follow directions, observe rules, and not take unnecessary risks that would put themselves or other participants in danger.
Eligibility
Students on any track are eligible for the tour and can earn college credit.
Travel study programs will not accept applications from students on probation for either academic or Honor Code violations.
Admission to BYU-Idaho
Continuing BYU-Idaho students who have been full-time students need not reapply when they are accepted into a travel-study program. Non-BYU-Idaho students may apply and be admitted to a travel-study program without being accepted as a matriculating BYU-Idaho student. Admission to the BYU-Idaho European Religious History Travel Study Program does not constitute regular admission to BYU-Idaho.
Students from other institutions who are accepted into the program must complete the application process to BYU-Idaho as full-time students for the term in which they participate in the program. If they subsequently desire to continue in BYU-Idaho day school, it will be necessary to reapply, or when applying, request regular admission status. All participants will receive regular BYU-Idaho credit on a standard transcript. At the discretion of your home institution, credits earned may be transferable or applicable toward graduation.
Standards
Students who participate in the European Religious History Travel Study must demonstrate in daily living (during organized group time as well as free time) those moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and must promise to:
1. Support and uphold the moral standards and ideals of the LDS Church.
2. Follow the behavior, dress, and grooming codes of BYU-Idaho.
3. Abide by the decisions of the tour directors in all matters pertaining to the tour.
4. Accept the will of the majority whenever a matter of choice presents itself.
5. Always be in a group of 3 or more while in Europe.
6. Make payments by the deadlines outlined
Any student who fails to adhere to these standards as promised will be sent home at the student's own cost.
Credits Available
A note of explanation-BYU-Idaho is undergoing a major change in General Education (GE) requirements. We are right in the middle of transitioning from a traditional GE program to what is being called Foundations.
Consequently, as of this posting, the classes in which travel study students will able to enroll for credit are not fully determined. With that in mind, we expect that students will be able to select from a number of course options and enroll in up to 7-10 credits.
The first day of on-campus classes, each student will be asked to indicate those courses in which they would like to be enrolled for credit. (Courses cannot be audited.) Then, the director will officially register each student for the courses selected.
Once registration is completed, courses cannot be dropped.
All students must enroll in at least 3 credits. Regardless of the number of credits for which a student chooses to enroll, each student will be required to complete all of the Preliminary Independent Study requirements, as well as the On-campus Intensive Study and Onsite Travel Study requirements, and the Post-travel Assessments.
Their will be one overall grade calculated which will then be submitted by the director for all courses in which the student is enrolled for credit.
As final approval is given by the Department of Religion, this section of the web site will be updated. Meanwhile, the following courses are the likely offerings.
From the New Foundations Courses:
FDREL 211 New Testament 3 credits
(Fulfills GE Religion requirement)
FDREL 215 Special Topics in Scripture 3 credits
(Fulfills Foundations/GE Religion requirement)
FDREL 352 The Gospel and Christan History 2 credits
(Fulfills GE Religion requirement)
FDHUM 101 The Heroic Journey 3 credits
(Fulfills Foundation requirement)
From the Former GE Courses:
Phil 203 Hist of Religious Thought, Ancient 3 credits
(Fulfills GE Social Science requirement)
Phil 204 Hist of Religious Thought, Modern 3 credits
(Fulfills GE Social Science requirement)
Hum 201* Western Culture 3 credits
(Fulfills GE Arts requirement)
Hum 202* Western Culture 3 credits
(Fulfills GE Arts requirement)
*If both Humanities 201 and 202 are taken the GE Arts and Letters requirement is met.
REL 211 New Testament 3 credits
(Fulfills GE Religion requirement)
Rel 352 The Gospel and Christian History 2 credits
(Fulfills GE Religion requirement)
Rel 190 Christian Symbols 3 credits
(Fulfills GE Religion requirement)
Rel 431 Doctrines of the Gospel 2 credits
(Fulfills Business Major requirement)
Rel 260 History of Western Religious Thought 4 credits
(Fulfills GE Religion requirement)
GS Travel 100 Travel class 1 credit
Cost
The travel study program fee is $3500 and includes:
- Round-trip airfare from Salt Lake City
- Transportation in Europe for required events and excursions
- All lodging in Europe
- Nearly all breakfasts in Europe
- Entrance fees to required events and attractions
The travel study program fee does not include:
- Tuition for classes
- The cost of room and board during the on-campus instruction (approximately 2 weeks)
- Required books and materials (Estimated $75)
- Radio and batteries (Estimated $65)
- Passport application fees (Estimated $100)
- Trip from Rexburg to Salt Lake City
- Lodging in Salt Lake City the night before the outbound flight to Europe (can stay with family or friends)
- Lunch and dinner meals while traveling (Estimated between $500-700 depending on spending and eating habits)
- Personal expenses, such as post cards, souvenirs, etc.
- Transportation and/or entrance fees to optional events and attractions
- Trip from Salt Lake City back to Rexburg (or on to home destination).
- Personal Insurance
Tuition
In addition to the tour fee, each participant will need to pay the normal tuition for the semester.
If your university track includes the semester in which the travel study program is conducted, your regular tuition pays for both the first block credits you enroll in for the travel study program as well as the second block courses you may take after returning from Europe.
If your track does not include the Spring Semester, the director will enroll you in the tour classes through Continuing Education. The credits will then count as BYUI credit.
The cost of tuition for tour classes will be charged to each student's account by the university at the time registration is completed.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
The same financial aid programs available to on-campus students are available to travel-study participants. Application should be made through BYU-Idaho Financial Aid, Kimball 100, (208) 496-1015. Scholarships are administered through the Scholarship office at Kimball 100 (208) 496-1092.
Application Process
1. Read all the information on this web site BEFORE completing the application.
By completing and submitting the application form, you are certifying that you have read all of the material on this web site.
2. Obtain an application form.
The preferred way to obtain an application form is online (see embedded link below.) An application form can also be obtained from either the director or co-director (see faculty link).
Click here to download Application
3. Fill out all pages of the application form, including all required signatures.
4. Submit the completed application to the Religious History Travel Study director as soon as possible.
Bro. Leonard M. Petersen Jr.
Taylor 202
Rexburg ID 83460-1510
If you are off-track and off-campus, you can scan the completed application, then send it as an email attachment to:
5. The director will open a travel study account for the applicant.
6. The student immediately pays a deposit of $500 to the BYU-I Cashier's Office using one of the following payment options
- Go in person to the Cashier's Cffice, 130 Kimball Building
- Make the payment online through your student account
- Call the Cashier's Office (496-1080) and use a MasterCard (note there is a 2% charge)
- Mail a check to the BYU-I Cashier's Office, KIM 130, Rexburg, ID 83460-1625 (make checks payable to Brigham Young University-Idaho
In every case, specify that the payment is for the European Religious History Travel Study Program for 2009.
If this deposit is not made, the application will not be processed further.
7. The student must then present the receipt to the director. If you are off-campus, you can scan the receipt and send it as an email attachment.
8. The student must then schedule an interview with the director and co-director.
Selection Process
The tour will be limited to 40 students.
Application does not automatically guarantee admission to the program. Only about 40 participants can be accommodated in each program. Acceptance will be granted according to the relevance of the travel study to student's academic objectives, program diversity, academic standing, and other program needs. Students who have never had the opportunity to participate in a BYU-I Travel Study Program will be given first consideration.
After the completed application is submitted and the receipt for the $500 deposit is received by the director, the following steps will occur in the selection process:
- All references provided on the application will be contacted
- The Letter of Intent (which is part of the application) will be reviewed by the director and co-director
- The candidate will interview with the director. (If the student is off-campus, the interview will be conducted by phone.)
- The candidate will then interview with the co-director.
- Then, the Selections Committee will review the input from the directors and make the final selections.
- Participants will be notified via their campus e-mail of acceptance, standby, or non-acceptance. (The current target date is no later than December 31st . This may need to be adjusted.)
- Students who are not accepted or offered a standby position should not ask for an explanation as to why. (In most cases, it will simply be a matter of having more applicants than can be accommodated.)
- Students who are not accepted will have their full deposit refunded.
Standby / Waiting List
Some students who are not accepted initially may be offered a Standby position. These students, if they so choose, can be placed on a waiting list. In the event that a student who has been accepted has to withdraw, thus creating an opening, one of the standby candidates will be invited to take the position.
In order to take a position, the student will have to be able to pay all of the Travel Study fees that are due up to the point of their acceptance.
Travel Study Fee Payment
As described within the Application Process, there is a $500 deposit that needs to be made immediately after the Application is submitted to the director. Payment of the remaining portion ($3000) may be paid in full after being accepted into the program or paid by the following payment plan:
- $1000 by November 30
- $1000 by January 31
- $1000 by March 31
It is important that you make payments before or on the deadlines as we will be purchasing airline tickets in advance and making deposits for housing, coaches, museum admissions, events, etc. If a student who has been accepted does not meet the payment due dates, the student will be dropped from the program so that a student on the waiting list can be added. The $500 deposit will not be refunded.
Payments can be made using any one of the following options:
- Go in person to the Cashier's Office, 130 Kimball Building
- Make the payment online through your student account
- Call the Cashier's Office (496-1080) and use a MasterCard (note there is a 2% charge)
- Mail a check to the BYU-I Cashier's Office, KIM 130, Rexburg, ID 83460-1625 (make checks payable to Brigham Young University-Idaho
In every case, specify that the payment is for the European Religious History Travel Study Program for 2009.
Cancellations
Cancellation fees can cost the travel study program thousands of dollars.
Please plan carefully before committing to participate in a travel-study program.
If, after you have been accepted into the European Religious History Study program, you decide to withdraw, you must notify the director in writing.
Cancellations will not be accepted verbally, either in person or over the phone.
If you withdraw after being accepted, there will be no refund of the $500 deposit for the cancellations. Any additional expenses incurred above the $500 will also be charged to the student's account and will remain due and payable to the university.
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Passports
Students are responsible to obtain and complete passport applications. This process may take up to three months, so begin as soon as you are accepted. An official site that you can use is travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Passport Applications can also be picked up at many post offices.
Baggage (Specifications as of July 9, 2008; subject to change by government regulation)
Due to space constraints, participants will be limited to:
- One small carry-on bag
- o Maximum dimensions may not exceed 55x40x20cm [21x15x7 inches] so as to fit in overhead compartments
- o Weight may not exceed 18 kg [40 pounds]
- o Liquids in carry-on are subject to the following government-imposed restrictions:
- § The liquid is in a container with a maximum volume of 100 ml [3 ounces]
- § All liquid containers meeting the maximum volume of 100ml [3 ounces] must fit readily into a transparent, re-sealable 1 litre plastic bag, measuring 20cmx20cm [1 quart]
- § The plastic bag should be presented separately to security.
- One suitcase to check
- o Dimensions may not exceed 157 cm [62 inches] (height plus width plus depth).
- o Weight may not exceed 20 kg [44 pounds] in order to meet the flight requirements in Europe. A fee per kilo for excess weight is charged at the airport prior to departure. If luggage is overweight, the student will have to pay the charges. This slows down the check-in process and is simply not acceptable. Students must ensure that luggage meets specifications.
Then, before the next flight, the student will have to reduce the contents to get the luggage within the specifications.
Please pack so that you can carry everything yourself. There won't be any porters!.
Lost Luggage
The Travel Study Program bears no responsibility for lost lugguage. Students should travel with sufficient resources (cash or credit card) that they can replace the necessities if luggage is lost.
Changes in Travel Study Program / Disclaimer
Brigham Young University-Idaho Travel Study Programs reserve the right to make changes or substitutions in this tour as a result of increases in fares, hotels, currency rates, or other unforeseen eventualities prior to departure. We reserve the right to cancel the tour if deemed necessary for circumstances beyond our control such as strikes, riots, wars, acts of God, etc. In such case, Brigham Young University-Idaho travel-study programs or its agents have no responsibility beyond refunding all deposits and moneys paid. Such refunds will be made within 30 days.
Insurance
You must have health insurance to travel with a BYU-Idaho program. You may also want to purchase life insurance and/or a basic travel insurance policy. Brigham Young University-Idaho travel-study programs have no funds to compensate for the loss, damage or theft of luggage and/or personal belongings, or to cover hospitalization or other medical expenses. It is, therefore the responsibility of each participant to acquire adequate health and/or travel insurance to guard against such expenses, or assume personal responsibility for them.
Health
Participants must consider their stamina and health conditions in deciding if they can meet the physical and emotional requirements of a three week rigorous travel schedule. Participants should be in a sufficient state of health to participate fully. We advise participants to have a physical check-up before registering for the program. Brigham Young University-Idaho cannot be responsible for any illness that would occur on the tour. Persons with heart disease, high blood pressure, or other physical impairments that could hinder them from normal participation with the group should contact the tour director before submitting an application.
Students With Disabilities
While the university is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities, our itinerary is strenuous and travel conditions in Europe beyond our control often do not accommodate individuals with severe physical limitations. If you have a disability that could hinder successful participate in this program, please contact the program director before applying.
Boyfriend / Girlfriend Relationships
Experience has shown that students participating in the Travel Study Program with another student with whom they have a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship is nearly always problematic. Therefore, these are highly discouraged.
"Tour romances," boyfriend/girlfriend relationships that develop on the tour, are likewise highly discouraged. Participants in the Travel Study Program are REQUIRED to always be in groups of 3-5. Boyfriend/girlfriend relationships make it awkward for the other members of the group.
A healthy view would be to adopt that of those who participate in the Hill Cumorah Pageant where boyfriend/girlfriend relationships are suspended for the duration of the event.
Married Students
Simply because of the nature of the Travel Study Program (the cost factor included), the tour seems best suited for single-young-adult college students. However, we have had married students participate, sometimes as a couple, more often with just one married individual going abroad.
If a couple is accepted, they will need to understand that there will be some additional costs associated with housing, as we will get them a couples rooming arrangement when possible. Couples will also need to understand that there may be times when a separate arrangement is not possible, and they will need to be willing to divide up in hostel housing-girls with girls, guys with guys.
In all cases, married couples must not engage in inappropriate public displays of affection, either during organized group time or free time.
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Travel Study Procedures
We have found that the more you know about European religions, history, art, architecture, music the more you enjoy this travel study experience. So, we have designed an exciting preparation package that will enable you to earn university credits and prepare you for the things that you are going to see.
Preliminary Independent Study-From the time of acceptance until April 20, 2009 (the first day of on-campus classes)
The first part of the preparation is the Preliminary Independent Study. It is comprised of selected readings and learning exercises that are to be completed before the first day of on-campus classes. They will be posted on I-Learn and will be available to each student after being accepted into the program.
After you have received your letter of acceptance, you should start work on the Preliminary Independent Study. It will be described in more detail on I-Learn.
On-campus Intensive Study (BYU-I, Rexburg)-April 20-28, 2009
The second part of the preparation is the On-campus Intensive Study. All students meet together on April 20th in the Taylor Building, room 120 at 8:00 am. Over the next two weeks, we will cover 6,000 years of history, religion, and humanities in one immense learning package. Every student will receive the same instruction. You will be able, however, to decide which courses from the Credits Available list (above) in which you want to be registered for credit. (The director will register you for those courses.)
Classes will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students should not schedule doctor's or dentist's appointments or any other things that conflict with class time. Full attendance and participation is required. A detailed schedule will post on I-Learn.
Onsite Travel Study (Europe)-April 30-May 22, 2009
While in Europe, nearly everyday will begin at 8 a.m., meaning, students should be up, showered, dressed, have breakfast, and be ready to LEAVE for the day's activities by 8 a.m. Punctuality will be a must in order for us to complete our itinerary for the day and meet appointments or train schedules, etc. Anyone who is not ready to leave by 8 a.m. will be left and miss the day's activities. (If this persists, there will be serious consequences.)
We will generally tour and study as a group until about 1-2 p.m. Thereafter, students will have ample time to go back to sites where they would like to spend more time, explore new places on their personal must-see list, sample the food, experience the culture, etc. At all times, students are required to be in groups of at least 3, preferably 5 or more. NO EXCEPTIONS. This is for your safety and well-being.
Everyone will be expected to be back to our lodgings by 10:00 p.m., in bed and asleep no later than 11:00 so that we can be rested and ready to get the most out of the next day.
The schedule on travel days between cities or locations will, of necessity, need to be different. On a few days, in order to fit everything in, we may need to stay together as a group the entire day. And, in spite of our best advanced planning, there will always be unexpected developments once we set the tour into motion. Therefore, it will be important for everyone to be flexible and pleasant and flow with whatever needs to be done.
Post-travel Assessments-May 23-29
After returning from our Travel Study in Europe, each student will need to complete the Post-travel Assessments to demonstrate what they learned and felt in Europe, also how they changed or developed.
This will be online and can be completed from any location. The elements will be described in detail on I-Learn.
