With St. Patrick’s Day recently passing, Irish eyes were smiling while looking at opportunities within SUNY. Several SUNY schools offer a very unique array of study abroad opportunities with nearly 600 programs in more than 50 countries. Ireland is among those countries where students could study for as long as one semester or academic year, or have a short-term experience during the winter or summer. Internships, volunteer and service learning opportunities are also available in Ireland. Each program ensures an unforgettable experience for students.
We’ve gathered some basic information on a few of the many opportunities offered by SUNY campuses to study abroad, here specifically in Ireland. Read below to learn a little about them, and visit the campus website to find additional information.
1. Albany
The Fall, Spring, or Academic Year program associated with Albany is through the National University of Ireland (NUI) in Galway. The vibrant, cosmopolitan city located in western Ireland has a community that blends well with that of the college students. Enrollment is directly into regular NUI courses in faculties such as Arts, Celtic Studies, Business, Engineering, Medicine and Health Sciences, Law, and Science. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a 3.0 GPA are eligible. NUI also has two summer programs: Irish Studies and Irish Language (beginning or intermediate). A 2.5 GPA is required.
Another summer program through Albany is Foundations for International Education (FIE), located in Dublin. FIE has partnered with Dublin Business School and School of Arts (DBS) in Central Dublin. The 6-week program offers the opportunity to gain understanding of Irish culture and society to students. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are all eligible for this short-term program.
2. Brockport
SUNY Brockport offers the most opportunities for study abroad programs in Ireland. Fall, Spring, or Academic year programs have 4 locations:
- National University of Ireland, Maynooth (Juniors or Seniors with 3.0 GPA);
- Griffith College in Dublin (2.5 GPA);
- Waterford Institute of Technology (Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors with 2.5 GPA);
- Dublin Internships (Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors with 2.5 overall GPA and 2.7 Major GPA; also offered in Summer).
There are also 3 summer programs: Dublin Internships (Juniors or Seniors, 2.5 GPA); Ireland Special Education Program in Dublin and other locations (Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors 2.5 GPA); Waterford, Ireland: It’s Culture, Legal, and Social Systems (2.5 GPA).
3. Cortland
Cortland Study Abroad offers opportunities with the University College Cork, located near the center of Cork, which is the second largest city in Ireland. The area was named “The 2005 European Capital of Culture” and is an active center of activity for students and the public. Students can enroll in a fall, spring, academic year, or summer program at this university. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors with a 3.0 GPA are eligible for Fall/Spring; 2.85 for Summer.
There is also another summer program through SUNY Cortland located in Dingle, a world-famous peninsula known for its scenery of mountains, farmland, and beaches. This program is called “Art in Ireland” and involves painting and drawing. Students eligible for the 4 or 8 week programs must have an overall GPA of 2.5.
4. Geneseo
Geneseo study abroad offers students regular semester courses alongside Irish students at Trinity College located in Dublin. Students must receive permission from individual departments to take courses and also have a GPA of 3.3. Fields of study include but are not limited to Psychology, Mathematics, Sociology, Political Science, Business, Economics, Language and Communication Studies.
The summer program is titled “Poetry of W.B. Yeats”, located in Sligo. This program involves the study of William Butler Yeats, a Nobel-Prize winning poet, dramatist, founder of Ireland’s Abbey Theatre, senator, and a nationalist supporter of Irish independence. Although there are no eligibility requirements, students must be in good academic standing with no disciplinary record.
5. New Paltz
The long-term program associated with New Paltz is through the University of Limerick. Being the fourth largest city in Ireland, this modern city represents a great overview of Irish life and culture for students to experience. Regular courses from the university’s programs are in Business, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Informatics and Electronics, and Science. Sophomores and above with a GPA of 2.9 or higher are eligible.
The summer program, Summer School in Irish Studies, is also located in Limerick. The schedule includes 45 class hours, 3 all day excursions, and assessments. Students choose between 3 course options: Irish Life and Literature, Sociological Perspectives on Irish Society, and Visual Culture in Ireland. Sophomores and above with a GPA of 2.5 or higher are eligible.
6. Oswego
The fall, spring, or academic year study abroad program associated with SUNY Oswego is located at the University College Dublin. Students enroll into regular university courses available through the Faculties of Arts and Commerce. Eligibility requirements are Juniors and above with a 3.0 GPA.
The summer program is a Business Internship Program with University College Dublin. Internships included are in the 8-week program are in areas of banking, finance, business management/international business, human resource management, information technology, and marketing. Students eligible for this program must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The opportunities to study abroad with SUNY are many. Learn more about these and other study abroad and exchange programs, internships and volunteer opportunities abroad at sunysystemabraod.com or by viewing the SUNY 2012 Study Abroad Guide brochure.
Photo: SUNY New Paltz