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| About the Ireland Program |
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| Ireland is a small island country with a rich and varied history. While it is a "Western" and English-speaking nation with some of the historical factors, traditions, and values shared with other Western nations, ours included, there are significant differences. The semester in Ireland Program provides students with the opportunity to live and travel abroad in order to experience these differences, while at the same time earning a full semester's academic credit. The program has always focused on the goal of in-depth experience of another culture, a culture as rich and varied as it's countryside. To achieve the cultural immersion objective we have designed the academics, excursions, housing, and service-learning to interrelate and intensify the immersion experience. |
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| Since the program was established in 1972, hundreds of students have taken advantage of this unique program, and many feel it has been the highlight of their college experience. |
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| Academics |
| The Curriculum is centered on several aspects of Irish studies. Three core courses of four semester hours each are required of all participants. Core courses include Irish History, Irish Culture, and Irish Literary Heritage. Electives vary from year to year. The service learning project, Teachers Aide in the National Schools, is offered annually. |
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| Students may also choose up to 18 semester hours, including electives. A maximum of 15 semester hours is recommended, however, to allow for travel, community living experiences, and cultural assimilation. Under certain conditions, students with special needs in their majors may study independently. Arrangements should be made with the resident faculty directors and the major advisor. The arrangements must conform to the standards set for independent study on campus. |
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| Excursions |
| A series of excursions designed to augment the program’s curriculum will take students to various cities and cultural sites both locally and regionally. Previous group travel activities have included trips to Dublin, Inishbofin, and various other points of interest (the Cliffs of Moher, Rock of Cashel, the Ring of Kerry, and Killarney). In addition, participants will be able to construct their own two-week European excursion at mid semester. |
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| Housing |
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Students study on a campus on the western coast of Ireland in Tully Cross, County Galway. Each year 25 students and two faculty members live in thatched-roof cottages. |
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| Service-Learning |
| The Service-Learning component places students in the national schools to tutor and earn education credit. |
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