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Bristol International Credit-Earning Programme

BICEP Photos

Bristol Weather

The Bristol International Credit-Earning Programme (BICEP) was established in 1987 at the University of Bristol in Bristol, England. Students from around the US meet in Bristol each year for this two-week summer programme which provides an opportunity to earn up to three credit hours studying Comparative Public Policy and Social Welfare between the US and UK.

The Programme provides speakers and lecturers on basic British public policy and social welfare, while enabling students to choose a specific concentration to focus their studies. While in England, students will participate in numerous agency site visits to learn about the UK system, depending on their chosen concentration. Past concentrations have included:

Family Welfare	Education
Health Policy	Mental Health
Housing & Urban Policy	Aging
Criminal Justice	Substance Abuse

In addition to group lectures and specific site visits, each student will also be assigned a UK research advisor with expertise in their chosen topic. Time is allotted in the Programme schedule for students to meet with their research advisor as well as conduct research on their topic at the University of Bristol Library. Click here for relevant BICEP research materials for the aboe interest areas. A tour of Parliament in London is also a part of the BICEP experience.

The Course

The UMC BICEP course can be taken for 1 or 3 credit hours. Social Work students (juniors through graduate students) can add the BICEP programme to their plan of study in a number of ways. Some students choose to take the class as a Social Work Elective class. Others choose to incorporate the BICEP experience into their Field Learning Plan (eliminating the need to pay for an extra class and tuition). Your advisor and possibly your field instructor can help you determine how to best incorporate BICEP into your plan of study. Click this link for the UMC BICEP syllabus detailing specific course requirements.

Accommodations

All BICEP students will stay dormitories on the UB campus. June 29 - July 4 students will be housed in Durdham Hall with single bedrooms and private baths. July 6 - 13 students will stay in Goldney Hall. Each floor of Goldney Hall has 8 rooms, each with a single bed, a desk, and an individual sink. Shared bathroom and kitchen facilities are down the hall on each floor.. Click this link for pictures of the beautiful Goldney Hall grounds.

Sightseeing, Tourist, and Other Learning Opportunities!

In addition to the opportunities to learn and interact with UK professionals, Programme participants can take advantage of endless sightseeing and tourist activities. During free times over the programme weekend, students may choose to participate in group trips to such places as: Stonehenge, Salisbury, Wales & Brecon Beacons National Park or visit other destinations throughout Europe on their own.

Additionally, a group trip to the Roman city of Bath is scheduled for all to attend a play at the Royal Theatre Company. Programme fees also cover a two-night stay, July 4-6,at the impressive Dartington Retreat Center and visit other cities in Devon with opportunities along the way to have tea at The Fisherman's Cot along the River Exe, visit the mors of Dartmoor National Park, have dinner at The Olde Inn in Widecombe in the Moor, and more.

Curious about what exactly happens while in Bristol? Click on this partial itinerary for a look at the daily activities from two days of a previous BICEP programme (itinerary requires Adobe Acrobat).

DATES:

Dates for 2006: June 29 - July 13

Programme Cost:

Other Costs:

Financial Aid:

Educational loans and scholarships may be used to finance much of this trip. Contact the UMC Financial Aid office in 11 Jesse for more information.

How to Apply

To participate in the program, contact Tammy Freelin and turn in a completed application form and $300 deposit to (make check out to BICEP) by Feb 1.
Application Form (RTF format)
Application Form (PDF format)

Tentative 2006 Planning Schedule:

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