When McKenna's plans to assist a professor with research in Japan fell through, she didn't know continuing her research would be possible in South Africa.

But when she was introduced to field studies, the chance to spend a semester abroad caught her attention.

After returning to BYU from a Fall Semester 2008 field study in South Africa, McKenna Lane, a senior majoring in public health education from Boston, Mass, said the experience was incredible.

"I really loved my time there," she said. "I learned about myself ... about the world and South Africa."

Though commonly misunderstood or perhaps just uninformed, field studies are an opportunity offered to all students interested, said Ashley Tolman, International Field Studies Coordinator.

"People don't recognize there are different opportunities for education abroad," she said.

Many students associate education abroad with one kind of program: study abroad, Tolman said. The International Study Programs at BYU, however, offers direct enrollment, internships and field studies in addition to study abroad.

"Study abroad filters students into one type of experience," Tolman said. "There are some students for whom a field study is a better fit."

According to the 2007 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, BYU's education abroad programs rank in the top 50. This ranking is based on total students enrolled in international programs in 2006 and 2007.

Field studies - offered in Ghana, South Africa, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico and Navajo Nation - focus on a personalized experience including independent research and cultural immersion, said Lynn Elliott, International Studies Program director.

"A field study gives you a chance to do independently directed research," Elliott said. "It really is the most culturally immersing."

Beginning her preparations in Jan. 2008, Lane researched women's perception of health in South Africa, spending time volunteering in a university health clinic and creating a women's support group.

Like all field studies, Lane's experience included a highly personal research topic, specialized to her interests and goals.

"You're designing your experience," Lane said. "You're choosing what you're going to get out of it."

Other ISP experiences have a predetermined program for participants, said Jay Bostwick, Assistant Field Studies Coordinator and three-time participant in the India Field Study.

"A field study is as if it's your own personal program and you are the director," he said.

Field study groups typically have six to eight students, Tolman said. Student facilitators accompany the group to the designated country and faculty members often visit.

Lack of applicants may be attributed to misconceptions about field studies, Tolman said.

"I think it's intimidating when students don't understand it," she said.

Many students may be deterred from field studies because of their independent and research focus, Lane said.

"The word 'research' scares a lot of people off," Lane said. "But it doesn't have to be scary. People shouldn't be intimidated. I think anyone who is committed can do it."

Although typical groups have six to eight members, Tolman said field studies have room for expansion if more students apply, even those that don't have specific ideas about what they want to research.

"We're always looking for qualified students to go," Elliott said. "We never have enough students for any of our programs."

Still, the program is not aiming to alter required qualifications for applicants, Tolman said.

"We're not going to drop our standards to get more people," she said.

Some of those standards include students who are flexible, invested, committed and mature - both academically and personally, Tolman said.

"It's not easy," she said. "Field studies are a better fit for students who can really take the initiative."

The standards are there for a reason, Tolman said. The field study philosophy is aiming at creating the best experience for individuals.

"Everyone has a different personality types, different needs, wants, interests, long-term goals," Tolman said. "I think education abroad should be an individual experience. Everyone should evaluate their goals and see what would be a growth-promoting experience that matches them personally."

After returning to BYU from South Africa, Lane is still adjusting.

"When you are there you feel such a sense of purpose," she said. "It really increased my understanding of how valuable it is to have hands-on experience - things you can't learn in a textbook."

Copyright Brigham Young University 20 Jan 2009