Sacred Heart University Center for Irish Cultural Studies

  Ireland

Dingle

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter 

Description: Sacred Heart University offers an immersive Irish Studies program which allows students to truly become part of an Irish community. In one semester or intersession, students are given the opportunity to delve into Irish culture (including archaeology, customs, folklore, history, language, literature, music, spirituality and theology) in the heart of the Irish-speaking Dingle Gaeltacht region.

Here, students don't just study in Irish surroundings, they live the Irish experience through hands-on seminars lead by some of Ireland's most accomplished scholars, dignitaries and artists. Courses such as Theology & Native Irish Spirituality and Introduction to Irish Traditional Music feature active participation both in and out of the classroom. What develops is a profound understanding of Celtic culture, as well as a greater appreciation of diverse societies, ritual and celebration in the modern world, and the stirring connections between the ages.

Highlights: Classes are in a small group and often consist of visits to historical and archaeological sites, walks and pilgrimages, dance and music lessons, performances and lectures. Several weekend-long trips to locations such as Cork, Galway and the Aran Islands are also part of the program. A wide array of cultural activities complements the academic program. There are also many just-for-fun activities included in the program cost & examples from past terms include surfing lessons, bike rides, sea kayaking and horseback riding.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Semester: USD 18,674 Short-term: USD 2,100 - USD 2,625

Additional expenses not covered by program tuition & fees include:
- Airfare
- Meals (though there will be group dinners and lunches periodically which are included in the program cost)
- Cost of travel beyond program-sponsored experiences (such as personal travel throughout Ireland and Europe on weekends and during school breaks)
- Other personal expenses

Short-term programs:
Program cost includes: Tuition (3 credits), housing, field trips and other activities, group dinner on class days only, transportation to and from airport in Ireland.   Airfare and personal expenses are additional.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian and European Participants.

Participants Travel to Ireland Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of varies

Scholarships are Available. FEILE Scholarship available. See our web site for more information.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Post Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network

Sacred Heart University Center for Irish Cultural Studies's Mission Statement: Sacred Heart University's Center for Irish Cultural Studies includes offices on SHUs campus in Fairfield, Connecticut and in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland. The Center offers cultural events and programs in Connecticut and supports local Irish cultural organizations as well. The Dingle site was established four years ago as the first U.S. based study abroad program in a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) area of Ireland. The Center is committed to educating participants on the issues surrounding the preservation of the Irish language in Ireland as well as the important role of all facets traditional Irish culture in contemporary Irish and Irish-American Society. Faculty and staff work one-on-one with each student to ensure an enriching - thoroughly Irish - study abroad experience.

Year Founded: 1963