Study Abroad Ireland

May 31 - July 1, 2019

Program Brochure

Contact the Program Director

Dr. Barry Vaughan

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

Download

Photo Gallery

Kylemore Abbey

Program Location

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 why 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

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]
  • STO290   The Irish Storytelling Tradition (3 cr) [G]

Estimated Program Costs

Expense Type Estimated Cost Deadline

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

 $1,559

Program Fee Due: March 1, 2019

Registration Fee

Tuition: 6 credits
In-state: $85 per credit hour
Out-of-state: $205 per credit hour

$  15

$510

Registration for Summer begins in March.

Tuition Due: Upon registration for courses

For payment options, visit: www.maricopa.edu/become-a-student/tuition-paying/payment-options
Airfare (estimated cost) $1,276

Group airfare through STA Travel will be available for $1,276.  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. 

$150 airfare deposit deadline:  February 22, 2019
$1,126 balance due: April 19, 2019

Meals

Meals are NOT included in program fee

 $1,000 Not needed until you land in Ireland!
TOTAL Estimated Costs $4,360  (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
Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your return to the USA.

$145/110
(new/renewal)

 Be sure to allow at least 6 weeks of processing time for first time applicants and renewals.
Visit the U.S. Department of State Students Abroad website for current fees and processing times.

Passport Information Available Here

Study Abroad Ireland Program Details

  • Study Abroad Ireland is held on the campus of Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) 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.

Dates to Remember

Title Date(s) More Information

General Information Sessions

SOUTHERN & DOBSON
Enrollment Center EC115A
(Building 39)

TUESDAYS: 1:30-2:15 pm
September 11, 2018
October 9 & 23, 2018
November 6, 2018
January 29, 2019
February 12, 2019

WEDNESDAYS: 12-12:45 pm
September 12 & 26, 2018
October 10 & 24, 2018
November 7, 2018
January 30, 2019
February 13, 2019

Financial Aid Workshops from 2:15-3:15 pm following Tuesday Info Sessions.
For study abroad financial aid information, contact Juan Carlos Sanchez at 480.461.7312.

Fast Tracking the Dream to College Completion
In order to qualify for the Fast Tracking the Dream IDA accounts for the 2019 study abroad programs, you must be enrolled by October 31, 2018. For information, contact A New Leaf at 480.833.9200 and ask to speak with an IDA representative.  Space is limited so apply early!

General Information Sessions

RED MOUNTAIN
Student Life Conference Room M214
(Mesquite Building)

MONDAYS: 11-11:45 am
September 10 & 24, 2018
October 8 & 22, 2018
November 5, 2018
January 28, 2019
February 11, 2019

THURSDAYS: 12:30-1:15 pm
September 13 & 27, 2018
October 11 & 25, 2018
November 8, 2018
January 31, 2019
February 14, 2019

Financial Aid Workshops at Red Mountain
11:45 am-12:30 pm following Monday Info Sessions
1:15 pm-2 pm following Thursday Info Sessions

For study abroad financial aid information at Red Mountain, contact Tori Stanton at 480.654.7760.

Fast Tracking the Dream to College Completion
In order to qualify for the Fast Tracking the Dream IDA accounts for the 2019 study abroad programs, you must be enrolled by October 31, 2018. For infomation, contact A New Leaf at 480.833.9200 and ask to speak with an IDA representative.  Space is limited so apply early!

Scholarship Deadline

Friday, Feb. 15, 2019
11:59 PM MST

Maximum Award: $1,000

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

Student must be accepted into a program PRIOR to applying for a scholarship.

Study Abroad Scholarship for Ireland

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Must be a Pell Grant recipient!

Students apply through the college they are receiving financial aid from.

Early Summer Application Deadline
October 2, 2018 (awards announced in February)
11:59 PM CST

Summer Application Deadline
March 6, 2019 (awards announced in April)
11:59 PM CST

Maximum Award: $5,000
Lois Kellogg-Duncan Memorial Study Abroad Scholarship

Friday, Feb. 15, 2019
11:59 PM MST

Maximum Award: $800

CRITERIA

  • Currently enrolled full-time at Mesa Community College for Spring 2019
  • Must have completed one (1) course (3 hours) in either Philosophy or Religious Studies at Mesa Community College at time of application.
  • Minimum 2.5 Cumulative GPA
  • Must be enrolled in a Philosophy or Religious Studies course during the 2019 Study Abroad Ireland program.
  • Must be able to demonstrate financial need by completing the 2018–2019 Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) form at https://fafsa.ed.gov.

Program Application Deadline

Friday, March 1, 2019

Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Complete the online application.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Space is limited. Apply early to reserve your place!

Payment Deadlines

Friday,  March 1, 2019

Program Fee Deadline: March 1, 2019

Tuition Deadline: Upon registration for courses
(Registration begins in March.)

Cashier Services

Mandatory Orientation

Sat., April 6, 2019

9 am - 2 pm

Room LB145 in the Elsner Library at the Southern & Dobson campus.

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