Study Abroad Ireland

June 1 - July 2, 2018

Contact the Program Director

Dr. Barry Vaughan

Philosophy & Religious Studies Department
P: 480-461-7620
Office: BP 43A - 44
barry.vaughan@mesacc.edu

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The program is held on the campus of Athlone Institute of Technology located in the medieval city of Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland. Situated in the heart of Ireland astride the River Shannon, the city is rich in culture and history.

Modern Athlone is a center of industry and education and home to one of Ireland's major institutes of technology. Because of its central location (between Dublin and Galway) it is a transportation hub by road and rail, and makes access to the rest of Ireland convenient.

Spend summer school in Ireland and see for yourself while the country is nicknamed the Emerald Island! Students will spend a full month immersing themselves in the study of Irish culture and history while exploring and experiencing the rich and diverse heritage of Ireland!

Using picturesque Athlone, Co. Westmeath as a home base, participants will make field trips to locations such as Dunamase and Emo Court, the megalithic monuments at Loughcrew and Trim Castle, spend several days in Ireland's Cultural Heart, Galway, and take a boat to Clonmacnoise.

Did You Know?

Ireland is home to Newgrange, an ancient stone-and-earth burial site that is older than Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids.
At least one million people died in five years in Ireland during the great potato famine of the 1840s.
Ireland did not legalize divorce until 1997.
Ireland is nicknamed the Emerald Island because of its expansive lush, green fields.
Currency used is the Euro (sign: €; code: EUR).
Read more detailed cultural information on Ireland provided by CultureGrams™
Ireland (2017). CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest.

Cultural Excursions

Cliffs of Moher (Ireland's most scenic location)
Clonmacnoise (6th Century Monastery)
Dublin City
Dunamase Castle (Fortress of Strongbow)
Emo Court (18th Century Palladian Style Manor)
Galway City - 3 nights in Ireland's Cultural Heart
Inis Mor (largest of the Aran Islands)
Loughcrew (5ooo year old passage tombs)
Trim Castle (Normal Castle of Hugh de Lacy)
The Burren National Park (one of the most unique ecosystems in the world)

Courses Offered (6 credits-choose 2 courses)

ART142 Introduction to Digital Photography (3 cr); requires $35 course fee
- Instructor: TBA
REL250 Religion in Ireland: Neolithic to Early Medieval (3 cr) [HU, H]
- Instructor: Dr. Barry Vaughan
STO290 The Irish Storytelling Tradition (3 cr) [G]
- Instructor: Liz Warren (South Mtn CC)

Estimated Program Costs

Expense Type	Estimated Cost	Deadline
Program Fee Includes lodging, academic facilities, cultural excursions, in-country ground transportation, and secondary medical insurance.	$1,667	Program Fee Due: March 1, 2018
Registration Fee Tuition: 6 credits In-state: $86 per credit hour Out-of-state: $206 per credit hour	$ 15 $516	Tuition Due: 35 days prior to course start date Registration begins in March.
Airfare (estimated cost)	$1,337	Your program director will provide you with instructions on purchasing airfare for your program. Only after you have received these instructions should you purchase airfare. Group airfare through STA Travel will be available for $1,337.
Meals Meals are NOT included in program fee	$1,000	Not needed until you land in Ireland!
TOTAL Estimated Costs	$4,535	(program fee, tuition, airfare and meals)

ADDITIONAL COSTS
Course Fee	$ 35	ART142 only
Textbooks Dependent upon chosen courses	$100	Prior to start of class
Passport (new)	$135	Please allow up to 6 weeks for processing.

Passport Information Available Here