International and Comparative Education: Ireland

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Participants of this unique program will engage in a survey of contemporary higher education with an experiential trip to Ireland to examine the country’s higher education structure and systems of college student support. While abroad, students will visit monuments, geographical wonders, museums, and architectural structures.

Dates & Deadlines

App Deadline: Friday, December 15, 2023
Program Dates: Monday, June 10 - Wednesday, June 19, 2024

While the study abroad center is no longer accepting applications for summer 2024, this program will be offered again in the future. If you are interested in this program, please fill out the waitlist form below:

Faculty-led Program Waitlist

Academics

POSTSEC 7389: Seminar in Post Secondary Education

In this course, graduate students will engage in an international study of education with an overseas experience in Dublin, Ireland. Course topics include contemporary issues and debates in international and comparative education, the administration of higher education, the practice of student affairs, as well as study of the history, culture, and politics of Ireland. Students will develop skills to operate effectively in a multicultural and intercultural global educational context, discuss global issues relative to contemporary education, and articulate the purpose of study abroad and its role in one’s professional development through reflection. The Study Abroad Center will enroll participants in their study abroad course.

Course Prerequisites: Must be a graduate student in degree-seeking standing or unclassified.

NOTES:

Students planning to participate in the spring commencement ceremony in May can enroll in this summer term program, however, their degree will not be conferred until the end of the summer term and is contingent on the successful completion of the program and all required coursework.
Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.

Itinerary

Tentative Program Dates: Monday, June 10 (depart) - Wednesday, June 19 (return), 2024

Sample itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin, take public transportation to accommodations, check in, explore neighborhood, and rest; group dinner in evening

Day 2: Local University visit to learn about the organizational structure and culture and engage with campus professionals to learn about efforts to facilitate student success and retention/ Class meeting for final review of itinerary and delivery of group presentations on Ireland culture, history, government, and people, as determined in pre-trip meetings

Day 3: Day trip to Giant's Causeway, on the coast of Northern Ireland. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for the approximately 40,000 polygonal columns of basalt rising out of the sea. Afterwards, head to Belfast for a city tour.

Day 4: Meet with the Higher Education Authority, then visit the Irish Whiskey Museum

Day 5: Cliffs of Moher and Galway, a beautiful city along Ireland's Western Coast, famous for its old stone and wooden shops, restaurants, and pubs

Day 6: Free day to explore Dublin

Day 7: Local University Visit to learn about the organizational structure and culture and engage with campus professionals to learn about efforts to facilitate student success and retention; afterwards, visit the Book of Kells exhibit at Trinity College as well as St. Paul's Cathedral

Day 8: Local University Visit to learn about the organizational structure and culture and engage with campus professionals to learn about efforts to facilitate student success and retention; afterwards, tour the Guinness Storehouse and complete the day with a final group dinner

Day 9: Professor and students depart Dublin, Ireland for the United States

Participant Info

Important information to review:

Review the roles of the Advisee and the Advisor under the main menu Get Started

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Ireland

Housing & Meals

Students will reside in apartment-style accommodations on a local university campus arranged by the Study Abroad Center and paid before departure. Students will have individual bedrooms with shared living space. Breakfast will be paid out of pocket. There will be nearby options for purchasing breakfast or students can purchase groceries. Only a few meals abroad are included in the program cost. Students are encouraged to try the local foods.

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost: $5,972*

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$5,972
Estimated U-bill charges	$3,877
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$2,095

Ireland Cost Estimate 2024 (PDF)

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,527
Room & Board	$4,580
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$878
Transportation	$320
Total	$10,705

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the university
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.