MMBio

Internship in Ireland

Important Information

Where will we be going?

Our destination is the University of Ulster (http://www.ulster.ac.uk/) in Northern Ireland. Our main focus is going to be the Coleraine Campus (http://www.ulster.ac.uk/campus/coleraine/), which is were the Biology research takes place. Students from other majors should feel free to look at the other campuses (Belfast, Jordantown, and Magee). Their webpages can be found from the main University of Ulster website.

When does the program run?

Spring and Summer terms. You will be required to go for both terms. There will, however, be some flexibility in our start and end dates, but please plan in being gone May-August.

What will we be doing?

Students will be conducting research with professors in one of the world’s finest biomedical research facilities.  Students in other majors also have the opportunity to study topics of their choosing in the beautiful land of Northern Ireland.

Why should I go to Northern Ireland?

In the words of Dr. Kim O’Neill “students can stay here in the states and have a great experience, or they can go to Ireland and have an AMAZING experience.”  You should also ask “when is the next time that I am going to have an opportunity like this, and be in a stage of life when I can take it?”

What are the costs?

You will be required to take BYU credit for the time that you are in Ireland, so costs will include: application fee ($25), placement fee ($100), tuition, travel, living expenses, a visa(approximately $200–300), and a passport.  We are still working on estimates for these costs, but yes it will be rather expensive.

How am I going to pay for all of this?

Any scholarships, grants, or federal financial aide that would normally pay for your Spring/Summer credits and living expenses, will contribute to paying for this experience. If you visit http://opsf.byu.edu/ and click on “Scholarship Listings,” you will find MANY scholarships, in various categories that will fund going on this trip. However, MANY OF THE DEADLINES ARE COMING UP, SO APPLY NOW!!! Even if you are not sure if you want to go, because you can always turn down a scholarship that you do not plan on using, or defer the funds, but you cannot apply after the deadline is closed.

Who should apply to this program?

Serious students who are prepared for an intense and challenging experience. One of the prerequisites is that you are as strong as you can be in your field. We will not send anyone on this program that we do not believe is ready to represent BYU properly.  If you are not prepared right now, but would like to be in the future, then come and talk with us, and we will help you to gain the experience that you need.

What if I’m married?

That’s great! You can bring your spouse. If your spouse is still at school, they also have the option of finding someone to study with at the University of Ulster. If they are not at school, then yes they can still go with you, just be sure that we are aware of this during your application and during the time that we are preparing to leave.

Enough of these questions, the most important one is how do I get involved?

1. Start applying for grants and scholarships today!
2. Look up the University of Ulster Website to find out who I would like to work with
3. Fill out an application online with the Kennedy Center (http://kennedy.byu.edu/isp/isp.php?id=103)
4. Schedule an interview time by emailing interns_mmbio@byu.edu
5. Wait to hear if I am accepted or not!

Please note, the official application deadline is February 1^st, however the unofficial deadline is now! We will be accepting qualified students as they apply.  There are a variable number of slots in the program, depending on how many places we can find for students at the University, so apply before the slot you want is filled!

What happens if I am accepted?

You will need to register for a 2 credit prep course, which will be second block of Winter semester before we go. You will also then need to pay the non-refundable $100 placement fee to the Kennedy Center.

We would also like you to be aware of the following statement recently sent to us directly from the Kennedy Center:

“I just would like to reiterate that we need to make sure that students really understand the requirement to uphold BYU standards and the Honor Code while abroad.  Sometimes they like to think that because they are not on campus they can grow beards, wear clothing with looser standards (short shorts or tank tops, especially for girls), etc.  The reality is, we need to be even more conservative while abroad than if we were on campus, due to the fact that we are representing BYU and the Church.  We also happen to be under more scrutiny while abroad.  

Please reinforce these standards to your students.  We will be doing all we can do reinforce this as well.  In a worst-case scenario, we may have to start pulling students from programs due to their lack of commitment to living by BYU standards.”

Aaron Rose, BYU International Internships Coordinator

If you have any further questions, then please contact the MMBio Internship Office at intern.mmbio@byu.edu