Study Abroad Ireland

June 2 - July 3, 2023

Scholarships & Funding

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

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.

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.

    Cultural Excursions

    Courses Offered (6 credits)

    • REL250 Religion in Ireland: Neolithic to Early Medieval 16480 (3 cr) [HU, H]
    • STO290 The Irish Storytelling Tradition 16533 (3 cr) [G]
    • Mandatory study abroad orientation on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 9 am - 2 pm at MCC.

    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 (2022). 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

    $2,141

    Program Fee Due: March 24, 2023

    $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: $85 per credit hour
    Out-of-state: $205 per credit hour

    How to Pay

    $ 15

    $510

    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

    $1,000 Not needed until you land in Ireland!

    Transportation

    $ 35
    TOTAL Estimated Costs $5,301 (program fee, tuition, airfare and meals)
    ADDITIONAL COSTS
    Possible PCR Tests/Transportation (estimate) $TBA

    Subject to change

    https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/travel_to_ireland/travel_to_ireland_during_covid.html

    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 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 websitefor current fees and processing times.

    Program Application Deadline

    Space is limited.

    Apply early to reserve your place!

    • Application Deadline: March 3, 2023
      Application cycle now open!
    • Complete online application.
    • 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

    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:
    October 31, 2022

    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

    Contact: ATO@turnanewleaf.org

    International Education
    Scholarship

    1 application for 2 scholarships!

    IE Study Abroad Scholarship

    • Does NOT require FAFSA but it helps!
    • If you are receiving financial aid from another MCCCD college, please share your FAFSA with MCC (school code 001077) two weeks prior to scholarship deadline.
    • Award Range: $250-$900

    Maricopa Grant

    • Requires 2022-23 FAFSA
    • Award Range: $250-$500

    Deadline: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023

    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 of $250 online, at Cashier Services, or by calling 480.461.7400.
    • IE Study Abroad Scholarship awards will be announced via email in late February.
    • Maricopa Grant awards will be announced mid-April to May when Summer financial aid begins awarding.

    STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

    Application: https://mcccd.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/Applications/Apply?ApplicationFormId=24036&AYID=1441&StartPage=1

    Keyword Search: Study Abroad Program at Mesa Community College

    MCC Honors Program Scholarship

    Maximum Award: $500

    Deadline:

    March 3, 2023

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

    Honors Program Study Abroad Scholarship Application

    Title Date(s) More Information

    Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship

    Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

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

    OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM

    March Application Deadline
    1st Tues. of March (awards announced by May)

    March 7, 2023
    11:59 PM PST

    October Application Deadline
    1st Tues. of October (awards announced by December)

    October 3, 2023
    11:59 PM PST

    Maximum Award: $5,000

    • 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 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

    Overview of Program

    October Application Deadline
    Tues. of October (awards announced by December)

    October 2022 deadline passed
    11:59 PM PST

    March Application Deadline
    1st Tues. of March (awards announced by May)

    March 7, 2023
    11:59 PM PST

    Maximum Award: $5,000

    • 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

    Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship

    Application Opens:

    Typcially mid-November

    Deadline:

    Typically mid-January

    Minimum Award: $1,250

    • Study abroad program must be at least 4 weeks (28 days) in country/countries.
    • Only MCC's England/Scotland France & Ireland programs qualify.
    • Preferences: FEA gives preference to students with demonstrated financial need, and strongly encourages students to apply who represent a group that is traditionally underrepresented in education abroad. These groups include, but are not limited to:
      • First-generation college students
      • Minority students
      • Community college students
    Title Date(s) More Information
    Lois Kellogg-Duncan Memorial Study Abroad Scholarship

    Deadline:  March 1, 2023

    Maximum Award: $500

    CRITERIA

    Information Sessions & Mandatory Orientation

    Title Date(s) and Time More Information

    Virtual

    General Information Sessions

    Friday, November 18, 2023

    11 am 

    maricopa.webex.com/maricopa/j.ph...

    ID: 24866760151

    password: Sim3dS8nJ9n

    Join by Phone

    (US toll) +1 602-666-0783

    access code: 24866760151

    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 15, 2023

    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.