Tour Information

Program Cost: $3,900

Included:

• Airfare (from Salt Lake City)
• All ground and sea transportation
• Lodging
• Admission to scheduled activities
• Meals

Not included: 

• Tuition 
• Passport
• Insurance
• Personal spending money

As you think about the cost of this program, consider what you might spend during a summer term at BYU-I (housing, food, entertainment, etc.). Factor in the special group rates that we will receive, and this tour becomes extremely cost effective. 

Any loans or scholarship you would receive for spring semester can be applied to the English Study Abroad program. Contact BYU-Idaho Financial Aid, at 208.496.1600 if you have additional questions. 

Program costs can be paid in full upon your acceptance or following the following payment schedule:

• $1200 non-refundable deposit, due two weeks after acceptance (payment of the deposit secures your spot on the tour)
• $1500 by April 15
• $1200 by June 15

Payment may be made through your BYUI student accounting portal or in person to the BYU-Idaho Cashiers Office, KIM 130, Rexburg, ID 83460-1625. Specify that any payment is for the English Study Abroad program.

Tuition will be charged to your account after you register for tour classes.  (If you take fewer than 6 credits, you pay the per-credit rate.  See http://www.byui.edu/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance).

Payment of the non-refundable deposit ($1200) secures your space on the tour, and we use this deposit to begin paying for airfare, hotels, and event tickets. In the case of cancellation on the students' part (no matter the cause), students lose the deposit as well as any additional costs already incurred. However, every effort will be made to keep losses to a minimum.

The UK-Ireland Travel Study program buys international health and life insurance effective during the time we're outside the United States offered by Geo Blue Worldwide Insurance. Since Geo Blue Insurance is only valid outside the U.S., you are still required to maintain adequate domestic insurance as stipulated by BYU-Idaho.

You will not be compensated for the loss, damage, or theft of luggage and/or personal belongings.  You can buy your own personal travel insurance if you would like protection against such losses.

English Study Abroad is an academic program, which can advance you toward graduation. Take Foundations classes, complete courses toward an English major/minor courses, or fulfill elective credit. 

You must take at least 3 credits and can take in up to 10 credits.  All students must enroll in English 290R, the 1-credit travel lab. 

In addition to English 290R, classes offered include:

• English 331 Medieval-Early Modern Literature (3 credits)
• English 332 British Literature, Restoration to Romantics (3 credits)
• English 350R Themes in Literature: Haunted by Place (3 credits) 
• English 373 Shakespeare (3 credits)
• FDLIT 216 Great Books (3 credits)
• REL 341 LDS History, 1805 to 1844 (2 credits)    

You must have a valid passport for international travel. We will need your passport number for airline tickets no later than May 15. This process can take several months, so get started early.

Apply for a U.S. Passport

Tips for a painless application process:

• Obtain an official copy of your birth certificate from the Office of Vital Statistics in your state of birth. Photocopies are not accepted.
• Have two duplicate passport photos. You can get these at Walgreens, BYU-Idaho Photo Services, or the U.S. Post Office (check their schedule).
• Have all application and processing fees.
• Have a valid driver's license-for identification and verification.

Once you have your passport, make three photocopies of your passport identification page. Leave one copy at home. Give one to the program director. Carry the other with you, but separately from your passport. This will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost or stolen.

Always carry your passport on your person. Do not stow it away in luggage.

Planning for a trip is part fun, part work. Both begin in March, when we will start our monthly travel meetings. Here we will spotlight certain sites and optional activities to consider, as well as share packing and travel tips. Use these meetings to get to know your travel companions and get answers to your questions. 

You will be contacted with the dates and locations of each meeting, but feel free to contact a director to ask any additional questions you might have.

Off-track students not in Rexburg for these meetings will receive meeting information and plans by email.

With a tour of this size, we have limited luggage space. You are allowed one carry-on suitcase and a small backpack or purse. Most airlines size requirements for carry-on luggage are 22 X 14 X 9 inches, and under 20 pounds. The backpack or purse must fit under the seat in front of you. 

You might panic now about fitting everything into such a small space, but you'll be glad you did the first time you have to carry your bag to the fourth floor of a hotel (many hotels don't elevators, or lifts as they're called). Program directors are not porters. Plan on carrying your own luggage.

Download these packing details and suggestions. [Down Packing Details and Suggestions]

Health

While you aren't required to climb all the cathedral spires, go on every hike, or explore every inch of every site, being active is an important element of the tour. Be in shape before we go.  

Additionally, international study programs are physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing because you're away from home and out of your comfort zone.

Please discuss any health concerns with a tour director prior to applying. Brigham Young University - Idaho cannot be responsible for any illness that might occur on the tour.

Students With Disabilities

BYU-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates academically qualified persons with disabilities.

However, the Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply to foreign countries and many international sites and forms of transportation will not be ADA compliant.

Additionally, international study programs are physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing and may be inaccessible for some disabilities. 

An international Travel Study program will have days in which walking up to 10 miles a day may be required. 

Other conditions may include but are not limited to standing for long periods of time, walking on cobblestones and other uneven surfaces, walking though inclement weather, and extreme heat or humidity. 

If you have concerns, you are invited to discuss both the program requirements and the available facilities with the Tour Director prior to applying. 

While traveling on this tour, you are ambassadors of the Church. All participants are required to maintain high standards of honor, integrity, and morality in harmony with the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Students will abide by all aspects of the BYU-Idaho Code of Honor including abstinence from coffee, tea, alcohol, and narcotics, as well as following LDS standards of chastity. Participants dress modestly and appropriately, and abide by the spirit and letter of the curfew.

Remember, to varying degrees, you are representing yourselves, the tour, BYU-Idaho, the Church, and the United States. Commit yourself to our unofficial tour motto, suitable for screening on t-shirts: "Wherever thou art, act well thy part."

Behaviors Europeans Detest

• Shouting. Europeans typically speak in low tones.
• Blocking Traffic. Stay out of people's way by moving aside whenever possible.
• Comparing life in America to life in Europe. European ways are enviable, in many cases. Avoid bragging and boasting about America. This is tacky. If anything, tell Europeans what you like about Europe-you'll make a friend for life.
• Complaining. Food will be different. Toilets will flush differently. Towels may not be "Downy soft." This is a part of the travel experience. Try new foods, new words, embracing such opportunities as part of a new culture.
• Rudeness and impatience. Be extremely courteous and polite regardless of what happens.

Behaviors Tour Directors Discourage

• Being Late. It holds up everyone-don't do it.
• Flirting. This can be dangerous in Europe, as Europeans interpret signals differently.
• Flashing cash. Be "street smart" and discrete when handling money. Be aware that certain people may want to take advantage of you. Theft is very common in Europe. Tourists are easy to identify and victimize. If something feels wrong, move on.
• Mocking language, customs, mannerisms, etc. In reality, you're just as strange to them (and maybe even more so.)
• Doing anything listed under behaviors Europeans detest.

Attitudes Tour Directors Appreciate

• Being a team player. Think in terms of what's best for the whole tour, not just yourself. You'll have considerable free time to satisfy your personal interests.
• Assuming tour directors are doing all they can to make the tour enjoyable. Also, remembering they're only human (some things are even beyond their control).
• Being cool when things go wrong, as they inevitably will. Be flexible.
• Being your brother's/sister's keeper. Help each other out, bear one another's burdens, look out for each other.
• Listening to directors' instructions carefully. Most of what they say will be with your best interests in mind.

Finally, for most of you, this trip will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We're gone for only 25 days. Given the grandeur of what you're about to experience, you cannot afford to be anything less than excited, cheerful, pleasant, patient, tolerant, understanding, positive, fun, grateful, and gracious.

As directors, we understand the responsibilities and obligations we have to you, your parents, and BYU-Idaho. We're thrilled that you're going on this year's tour and are anxious to serve you.

By participating in this program, I agree to the following:

ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE AGREEMENT

I know and recognize that participation in the English Study Abroad: British & Emerald Isles tour conducted by Brigham Young University-Idaho is done on a voluntary basis without compulsion or coercion and is not a mandatory class requirement. (However, if one chooses to tour, one must take at least three credits. Several classes are offered which fill the BYU-I general education requirements for letters.) I know there may be dangers and hazards associated with the tour and assume the risks associated with participation in the tour, including but not limited to:

Hazards associated with travel, whether by land, sea, or air including airplane, auto, or bus crashes; hazards of hiking, biking, snorkeling, and swimming, such as falls, crashes, being struck by a vehicle, drowning, or suffering physical exertion; hazards of unstable governments and related potential violence; hate crimes; illness caused by food, water, heat, cold, altitude, or contagious disease; assault, theft, or robbery; trip cancellation or change in itinerary and travel plans; acts of God; any activity I decide to participate in during free time.

I acknowledge that these hazards could cause physical or emotional harm or even death.

Knowing the risks, and in consideration for being permitted to participate, and as inducement to Brigham Young University-Idaho to permit me to participate on this tour, I hereby, for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, or anyone else who might claim on my behalf, covenant not to sue, and waive, release, and discharge Brigham Young University - Idaho, its agents, officers, and employees from any and all claims or liability for death, personal injury or property damage of any kind or nature, and any other claims whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with my participation in this tour, even though liability may arise out of carelessness on the part of BYU-Idaho, including its officers and employees.

This release extends to all claims of every kind or nature whatsoever, foreseen or unforeseen, known or unknown.

What is jet lag? Jet lag is a combination of physical fatigue, disruption of the body's biological clock, and mental confusion resulting from unfamiliar situations. It can make you feel entirely yucky, or it can be almost bypassed.

Jet lag is not a serious condition to people in reasonably good health, but it can rob you of the enjoyment you anticipated during the trip. Feeling droopy for a day or two is no big thing at home, but the days of the trip are too precious for that. Avoiding jet lag is worth the few easy adjustments it requires (taken from CNN report on Deep Vein Thrombosis.

A Few Days before the Flight

• Take Vitamin C (500 mg per day) to reduce the possibility of coming down with a cold.
•  Get more sleep. Start going to bed early and getting up early, to reduce shock to your system (when your travel will be easterly).
• Get moderate exercise.
• Pack well in advance and make all last minute arrangements before the last minute. Then do something diverting before the trip actually begins.
• Review all travel plans carefully so that you can anticipate each event rather than be surprised as the trip unfolds.

During the Flight

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• Walk around occasionally to stretch muscles and reduce swelling in the feet.
• Eat sparingly.
• Drink lots of water and fruit juices. Avoid caffeine.
• Sleep. Airline activities are calculated to prevent rest. Rest anyway.
• Perform leg and ankle exercises.

After the Flight

• Set your watch to the new time and don't calculate what time it is back home.
• Let the program leaders worry about customs, exchange, and shuttle.
• Lie down briefly in your room, but not longer than a few hours.
• Go to bed in good time and get up early the next morning.
• Continue the Vitamin C for a few days.