ISP

Tomorrow marks International Women’s Day!

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

When Sophia Clark was on the Europe Business and Law program, she met Julie who she considers an influential woman in her life. Julie, a Syrian refugee, fled her country in the hope to create a better life and touched Sophia’s heart.

“She explained to me how she doesn't know if she will ever see her family again in this life. Besides the heavy conversation this was, she spoke with such aspiration that everything she is doing for them. What touched me the most was her overall presence while speaking: calm, optimistic, and real,” Sophia says.

Sophia ends by saying: “I strive to be like Julie, and I hope to someday influence those like she has me.”

We are so grateful for Sophia’s story. Tell us in the comments someone you consider an influential woman in your life.

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“You won’t regret it”.

Those are the words of Derek VanBuskirk who is currently in the Dominican Republic as a part of a team who has had opportunity to film and edit the third verse for the Poor Wayfaring Man mini-doc project.

“We are still in the editing phase of the project, but my experience here has helped me grow in my on set training with the equipment as well as to help me get out of my comfort zone as I conduct interviews.”

Derek also says: “I actually served my mission in the Dominican Republic, so it was great to go back and see parts of that beautiful country that I was not familiar with and to spend time with the amazing people there.”

Derek is majoring in Journalism with a minor in Philosophy.

📸: Derek VanBuskirk

Interns at the Scottish Parliament emerge from the experience with a narrative about professional value of their internship, opening doors to graduate school or future employment. For Emma Westhoff, it solidified her desire to go to law school and sparked her interest in pursuing international law. 

“I’ve never had the chance to get so up close and personal with the inner workings of another country’s political system. My internship helped me to engage with the issues, ideals, and day-to-day lives of the Scottish people in a way that helped me appreciate the complexities of a world outside of my own,” she says.

As an intern you will get a chance to conduct focused research on pressing issues, conduct constituency service, interact with voters, and draft speeches, newspaper articles, and correspondence. 

Emma continues to say: “Having to adjust to the changing dynamics of a workplace I was unfamiliar with and had little control over - the potential for isolation as an intern was far greater than it is as a student at BYU, and making the most of my work required me to take greater initiative in pursing experiences than I was used to.”

Check out the link in our bio for more information on interning at the Scottish Parliament.

📸: Emma Westhoff

This is your reminder to take photos on your International Study Programs and submit them to our annual Photo Contest.

This stunning photo was taken by Lindsey Tippetts on the Light and Truth Study Abroad Program. The photo shows a gondolier parking his boat after an evening giving canal rides in Venice. It won an honorable mention.

Click the link in our bio to learn more about the Photo Contest and see previous submissions!

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International study programs can shape your future and career in so many different ways.

In Spring 2018, Kath Richards went on the Global Leadership and Eastern Religion program in China. Kath graduated at BYU with a Technology Engineering Studies major and a Creative Writing minor in May 2020.

During her program she was impressed and inspired by a class of Chinese engineering students preparing to get master’s degrees and PhD’s. Their diligent example encouraged her to think about her plans after graduation and as a result she ended up getting a master's degree from BYU and is now working full-time at a start-up called The Lowdown Utah.

She continues to say: “Studying abroad showed me that my world doesn’t have to be so small. I realized that I could make connections in other countries and succeed in new places. I hope to live abroad for some time after getting my MFA - something I didn’t even know was a possibility before going on my study abroad and exploring a new part of the world.”

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Happy Valentine’s Day❤️

Today is all about celebrating love. When we ask students what they loved the most about their International Study Programs, a lot of them respond saying it was the people and friendships they made.

Jalayne Russell says: “No one tells you that when you do a study abroad you’re also signing up for 35+ new best friends. After your semester you’ll just be one big family and know and love everyone so much. Seriously the people and other students were the best part.”

In Fall 2022, Jalayne was on the Europe Business and Law program. She is majoring in Global Supply Chain Management.

Check out our stories to let us know what you loved the most about your time abroad!

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Tomorrow, Bryan Barba will be taking over our Instagram to share what a day in his life looks like while studying abroad. Bryan is currently in London on the Designing the London Experience Program. He is a Journalism major with two minors in Design Thinking and Creative Writing.

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“My experience in Nepal was transformative, not just because I was immersed in this beautiful scenery, but because I’d been able to experience a lifestyle so different than what I know. This journey was exceptionally philosophical & spiritual, and immersing myself in this culture of spiritual devotion, laden with physical manifestations and multi-layered symbolism, inspired me to live my own faith and display my own devotion in new ways.”

Jenna Matthews went on the Nepal: Art in the Himalayas Program during Spring 2022 The program had a focus on the intersection of cultures and how it is manifested through art.

“I was struck with just how much more of an impact a less-structured but immersive environment is for the process of growth and learning. It’s one thing to learn about something and study it intensively in a classroom, and something entirely different to live it, if even for a short time. I was surprised to find myself almost unconsciously incorporating some of their philosophies & practices into my daily routine.”

We’re grateful that Jenna was willing to share her learning experiences with us. Jenna is majoring in Geography: Geospatial Intelligence, with a minor in International Strategy & Diplomacy.

📸: ._.mathews