During Spring Term, 38 students put their Provo lives on hold, soaking in English culture as they participated in the London Theatre Study program for seven weeks.

Most BYU students equate study abroad programs with high costs and postponed graduation, resulting in a low number of participants in study abroad programs. For the 2005 academic year, about 1,400 BYU students studied abroad, which amounts to 5 percent of the student body.

Some students, however, find the expense worth the experience.

"Study abroad programs are more expensive than if you were to stay in Provo," said Mark Nelson, a participant in BYU's London Theatre Study program. "But in my experience, after going to another college my freshman year, that [tuition at another school] was way more expensive than BYU. A study abroad in its full cost is nowhere near what full tuition would be at another institution."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, "average total tuition and fees at four-year private colleges and universities in 2005-06 were $21,235."

For LDS BYU students - who paid $3,410 for the 2005-06 school year, not including rent and textbooks - the national average amounts to an additional $17,825 in tuition fees. Even for non-LDS students, BYU tuition is $16,119 less than the national average.

For the London Theatre program, one of 100 study abroad programs at BYU, the cost is approximately $4,000, which includes subway passes, admission to between 15 and 20 plays, housing and program excursions. However, participants must also pay for airfare, meals, medical insurance and personal expenses.

Students in the two London study programs do receive a unique financial break after completing the pre-departure preparation class, though. Every student gets an International Student Card that qualifies them for lower or reduced prices for admission to museums, theatrical productions, art galleries and many other locations.

"I look at it as the card of gold," said Char Nelson, one of the three instructors for the London Theatre program.

Despite the barrier of cost to most students, some programs are designed to move students toward graduation. In the London Theatre program, students are required to take two of three offered classes. The classes are regular courses, just like those offered in Provo, except field trips accompany the subject matter.

"Classes are intense, but it is a good intense because you are studying Shakespeare, and then you get to go where he walked around and where he was born," Mark Nelson said. "Going to the sites draws you in to the intensity of the classes - it's a good thing."

While cost and graduation are a concern for many students, Lynn Elliott, director of International Study programs said most students don't regret the expense.

"A vast majority come back from their study abroad and say the program was worth their time and money," he said. "I have never heard of anyone saying their experience was a waste of money."

For students who apply for a semester-long study abroad program, the average cost is between $8,000 and $9,000. To stay in Provo for classes, the average cost amounts to between $5,000 and $6,000, Elliott said.

"I believe that study abroad is an integral part of any BYU students' education," Char Nelson said. "It is so important and so worth it. I say that without any hesitation because of the remarkable experiences we [participants] had spiritually and educationally."

For more information about BYU's study abroad programs, visit kennedy.byu.edu.

source: http://newsnet.byu.edu