Study Abroad Ireland

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Program Location

Map of Ireland with the Irish flag

The medieval city of Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland is located in central Ireland. Situated in the heart of Ireland astride the River Shannon, the city is rich in culture and history.

Contact the Program Director

Dr. Barry Vaughan

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

June 7-July 5, 2025

Spend summer school in Ireland and see for yourself why the country is nicknamed the Emerald Island!

Held on the campus of Technological University of the Shannon, located in picturesque Athlone, Co. Westmeath, you will spend a full month immersing in the study of Irish culture and history while exploring and experiencing the rich and diverse heritage of Ireland. Using Athlone as a home base, participants will make field trips to locations such as the prehistorical monuments at Loughcrew and the Hill of Uisneach, the early Medieval monastic city of Clonmacnoise and the Norman castles of Dunamase and Trim, and the 18th Century great house, Emo Court.

You will also spend several days in Galway, Ireland's Cultural Heart, visiting the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, and the island of Inis Mor, as well as a day-trip to Dublin City. Your Irish adventure will be a learning experience you will never forget!

Cultural Excursions

Summer Courses You Will Take During Program

  • 6 credit program - Registration for courses will begin in March 2025.
  • REL250 Religion in Ireland: Neolithic to Early Medieval (3 cr) [HU, H]
  • STO290 The Irish Storytelling Tradition (3 cr) [G]
    • Instructor: TBA
  • Mandatory study abroad orientation on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 9 am - 2 pm at MCC.

Photo Gallery

Detailed Information

Ireland Program Details

  • Study Abroad Ireland is held on the campus of Technological University of the Shannon located in picturesque Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland.
  • Participants will be housed in the Croi Oige Student Village apartments conveniently located across from AIT's campus. Each 4-bedroom apartment is fully furnished and comes equipped with TV, iron and ironing boards, oven, microwave oven, refrigerator, electric kettle, all kitchen utensils, and bedding. Each bedroom comes with a study/computer desk and is internet ready with high speed internet access.
  • 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.

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 (2024). CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest.
  • Diversity Abroad Ireland Destination Guide

Estimated Program Costs & Deadlines

Expense Type Estimated Cost Deadline

Program Fee
Includes lodging, academic facilities, cultural excursions, in-country ground transportation, and secondary medical insurance.

How to Pay

$1,969

Program Fee Due: March 21, 2025

$250 Confirmation Deposit Due (towards total program fee): upon acceptance

Confirmation deposit is non-refundable after the program fee payment deadline.

Registration Fee

Tuition: 6 credits
In-state: $97 per credit hour
Out-of-state: $217 per credit hour ($1,317 incl registration fee)

How to Pay

$ 15

$ 582

Airfare (estimated cost) $1,600

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.

Meals

Meals are NOT included in program fee

$1,200 Not needed until you land in Ireland!

Transportation

CityLink rail from Dublin airport to Athlone and back

$ 33 Not needed until you land in Ireland!
TOTAL Estimated Costs $5,399 (program fee, tuition, airfare and meals)
 
ADDITIONAL COSTS    
Insurance for Participants 60+ Years of Age $3.56 per day The program fee includes secondary insurance for participants ages 18-59. There is an additional insurance charge of $3.56 per day for students 60 years and over.
Textbooks Approx. $50  
Passport

Passport Info Here

Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your return to the USA.
$165/130
(new/renewal)
  • Be sure to allow at least 14-18 weeks of processing time for first time applicants and renewals.
  • Visit the U.S. Department of State website for current fees and processing times.

Program Application Deadline

Space is limited.  Apply early to reserve your place!

If program reaches full capacity, you will be put on a waitlist.

 
  • Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
  • Complete online application.  Application cycle is NOW OPEN!
  • Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • Applications are reviewed/approved on a rolling basis.

Scholarships and Funding Your Program

Title Date(s) More Information

Maricopa Grant

MAXIMUM AWARD: $500

  • England & Puerto Peñasco programs are excluded.
  • Requires 2024-25 FAFSA and demonstration of financial need.
  • Must meet course applicability requirements.
  • Must be in an approved degree program at Mesa Community College.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen.

Deadline: 

Open from October 15, 2024-February 9, 2025

Must have put down a program deposit by Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 at 5 pm.

Maricopa Grants will be announced after Summer financial aid begins awarding (typically mid-April to early-May).

Scholarship Portal

Keyword Search: Study Abroad Program at Mesa Community College

Get information on financial aid & grants, scholarships, and misc. resources for study abroad here.

PRIOR to applying for a scholarship, student must:

  • Be accepted into your study abroad program. Apply early!
  • Pay the program deposit online, at Cashier Services, or by calling 480.461.7400.
CashCourse
This free online resource is a great place to go for money management info, tips, calculators, articles, worksheets, and quizzes that can assist you in achieving financial success now and in the future.
Take advantage of this great resource for Mesa Community College students to help budget for your study abroad program!

How To Register For Your Free CashCourse Account

1. Go to https://www.cashcourse.org/

2. Click on "Register for a Free Account" under the Students circle.

3. Fill in all of the required information fields and click Register.

Be sure to check out the Financial Tools. The Budget Wizard is an easy-to-use tool to start tracking where your money is going.

Passport to Success Grant

Maricopa Community Colleges was selected by the Institute of International Education (IIE) to receive an IIE American Passport Project Grant that will enable up to 5 eligible students from one of our 10 community colleges the funding and application assistance needed to receive a U.S. passport. Award recipients will be chosen by a competitive selection process.

Award Amount: $165.  

Will cover the costs for the application fee for a U.S. passport book ($130) and the execution/acceptance fee ($35).

Deadline to Apply: November 22, 2024

Apply HERE!

Student Eligibility

  • U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization or U.S. national (e.g., native of American Samoa or Swain’s Island)
  • First-year student enrolled at one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges (students may apply for the passport funding regardless of their year in school; however, priority will be given to those in their first year)
  • Pell grant eligible
  • Meets diverse identity criteria, which may include any of the following: racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ students, gender diverse students, first-generation student (first in family to attend or graduate from a college or university), students with disabilities, students with demonstrated financial need, veterans, non-traditional age students, students who are parents, students who have never traveled abroad, rural students, student athletes, and students with majors academically more challenging to study abroad
  • Applying for a first adult U.S. passport (using DS-11 form), not renewing a previous passport—there may be some exceptions to this condition for U.S. military veterans or the children of U.S. military veterans
Title Date(s) More Information

Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Students MUST apply through the college they are receiving financial aid from (even if taking program classes from MCC).

Maximum Award: $5,000

October Application Deadline
2nd Thursday of October (awards announced by December)

October 10, 2024
11:59 PM PST

Application is now OPEN!

March Application Deadline
1st Thursday of March (awards announced by May)
11:59 PM PST

GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP

Come learn how to write essays for the Gilman International Scholarship!

Wed., September 11, 2024

2-3 pm

meet.google.com/jaz-ghhd-esc

  • Must be a Pell Grant recipient.  Students apply indicating the school they are receiving their Pell Grant funding from. If you are not a receiving Pell Grant funding through MCC, you must apply for the Gilman through the school that you are receiving financial aid from.
  • Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration of the following selection criteria. View Gilman Presentation here!
  • Review Gilman Essays Writing Tips.
  • Review Gilman Brainstorming Worksheet to help articulate ideas to frame your essays.
  • Review writing resources for ideas on crafting your Statement of Purpose:
  • Bring your draft to the Writing Center and get feedback on how to polish your "diamond in the rough"!
  • For application instructions, review this walkthrough video.
  • Watch videos of Gilman scholars abroad, alumni interviews, and tips from advisors and application reviewers on YouTube.
  • Note for Gilman application: For Program Administrator, select Mesa Community College

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

Gilman-McCain Eligibility

Maximum Award: $5,000

October Application Deadline
2nd Thursday of October (awards announced by December)

October 10, 2024
11:59 PM PST

Application cycle is now OPEN!

January Application Deadline

TBA
11:59 pm PST

 
  • Must be a child dependent of an active/activated US military personnel during time of application.
  • Must be a Title IV federal financial aid recipient.  Title IV funds include:
    • Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
    • Direct PLUS Loans
    • Federal Pell Grants
    • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOGs)
    • Federal Perkins Loans
  • Use the same Gilman application system as other Gilman Scholarship applicants.  Applicants will simply confirm that they are child dependent of an active duty military member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps).
  • If a student is receiving a Federal Pell Grant and is also a child dependent of an active duty military member, then the student is eligible for both Gilman scholarships and will automatically be considered for both but eligible to receive only one. If they are selected for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, then they will no longer be considered for the Gilman Scholarship.
Title Date(s) More Information

A New Leaf Assets to Opportunity (ATO)

A match savings program designed to help individuals save their own money in a special savings account and have their money matched for tuition, textbooks, and some study abroad program expenses with an 8:1 match.

Deadline:
Contact A New Leaf

ATO@turnanewleaf.org

Eligibility:

  • Must have earned income
  • Be a resident of Arizona
  • Income must be at or below 200% of federal poverty line
  • Commit to saving $500 and saving for at least 3 months
  • Commit to making $30 deposits twice per month
  • Complete a financial wellness workshop and any other program requirements
  • Contact: ATO@turnanewleaf.org
Title Date(s) More Information

Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship

Application Opens:

Typically mid-November

Deadline:

Typically mid-January

Eligibility:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient.
  • Financial Need is determined by the Fund for Education Abroad Financial Aid Form.  Applicants must have a completed FAFSA for current academic year.
  • Demographic Factors that are considered include first-generation college student status, racial identity, and community college experience.
  • Academic Plan and Preparedness are determined by your essays and unofficial transcript.
Title Date(s) More Information
MCC Honors Program
Study Abroad Scholarship

Deadline:  2025 TBA

Maximum Award: $250-$500

Refer to MCC Honors Program for current details!

If you are a current MCC Honors Program student in good standing, you can apply for up to a $500 study abroad scholarship!

For more information, call 480.461.7143.

Honors Program Study Abroad Scholarship Application

Title Date(s) More Information
Lois Kellogg-Duncan Memorial Study Abroad Scholarship

Deadline: March 1, 2025

Application Opens: January 1

Award(s) Announced: Mid to late March

Maximum Award: $500

CRITERIA

  • Student enrolled at Mesa Community College.
  • Minimum 2.5 Cumulative GPA
  • Enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours in either Philosophy or Religious Studies.
  • May be used for a Philosophy or Religious Studies course in the Study Abroad Ireland program (REL250).
  • Must be able to demonstrate financial need by completing the 2024–2025 Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) form.
  • Application Portal
    • Search Keyword: Lois Kellogg-Duncan Memorial Scholarship at Mesa Community College

Information Sessions & Mandatory Orientation

Title Date(s) and Time More Information

Virtual

General Information Sessions

Playback of webinar on Nov. 18, 2022 during International Education Week

Recording Password: 5mE6StzU

For any questions, please contact studyabroad@mesacc.edu or the individual faculty program directors.

Financial Aid Contact Information

Financial Aid FAQS

At Southern & Dobson, contact Adela Bob at 480.461.7436 or at adela.bob@mesacc.edu.

At Red Mountain, contact Tori Stanton in Financial Aid at 480.654.7760 or at tori.stanton@mesacc.edu.

Mandatory Orientation

Sat., April 12, 2025

9 am - 2 pm

MCC Southern & Dobson campus

Room: TBA

You must attend the mandatory study abroad orientation!
There may be additional required meetings for your specific program. Contact the Program Director for details.