Ireland: One Island, Two Countries

June 17, 2023 —July 03, 2023
This is past program: To apply for a new CCSA program please visit our course search or use the main menu above.

Study across an island divided by a border, but joined in history. The program takes you to both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. From Dublin, the capital of the Republic, we’ll uncover the cultural significance behind Glendalough, Trinity College and places made famous by such writers as James Joyce and Jonathan Swift.

Then we’ll head to Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom), tracking the history of Ireland, ancient and modern, stopping at the magnificent coastal World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway, and visiting locations associated more recently with the Troubles in Belfast and Derry.

Then it's off to the beauty of the mountains, valleys and islands of the West of Ireland where Gaelic and traditional music can still be heard. Discover the beauty and the tragedy, the history and the hope that define this land still struggling to be united.

The schedule, subject to change, includes stays in Dublin, Belfast, Derry and Sligo (or nearby), and Galway. Included are day trips to locations such as Glendalough and Aran Islands.

What is included in the Program Fee?

  • A three-credit hour course
  • Cultural and class-related activities
  • Housing in double rooms
  • Full breakfast daily
  • Pre-departure advising and orientation
  • On-site orientation and administration by CCSA Program Directors
  • 24/7 emergency contact on-site and U.S.-based support
  • International health and travel delay insurance
  • At least one day trip outside of major city
  • One-way flights between major cities for programs with dual locations (eg: London & Dublin, London & Edinburgh)
  • Partial payment of on-site public transportation costs (see program pages for details)

Participants will reside at Marino Institute of Education the first week of the program. The accommodation is close to the city centre and is well serviced by Dublin Bus, with a stop directly opposite the campus gates. Local amenities include shops, restaurants, a supermarket, pharmacy and a sports park.

Individuals will be assigned to standard apartments, which consist of 3 – 5 private en suite bedrooms (including toilet, sink and shower) with access to a shared kitchen-living area.

  • Each apartment’s shared kitchen area is equipped with sofas, dining table & chairs or breakfast bar, refrigerator/freezer, oven, cooktop, microwave, toaster, kettle, 2 pots, 1 frying pan, tableware, drinkware, cutlery and general utensils.

  • Office open hours from 9am to 8pm from Monday to Friday. Out of office hour security is provided, and all bedrooms are accessed using a key card.

  • A restaurant and café shop are available on campus. Pharmacy, grocery store and ATM machine in the area near the campus.

  • Breakfast is served in the main campus restaurant, a short walk (approximately 1 minute) from the accommodation.
  • While traveling from the east to west coast of Ireland, the group will be housed in hotels. Hotel accommodations are based primarily on double occupancy with occasional use of triple rooms. Singles may be available at an additional cost.

    During the 3 nights in Galway, the National University of Ireland’s (NUI) Goldcrest Village will be home base. Participants will be assigned to standard apartments, which consist of 4, 5 or 6 private en suite bedrooms (including toilet, sink and shower) with access to a shared living room/kitchen. Bed linens and towels are provided.

  • Each apartment’s shared kitchen/living area is equipped with seating, digital TV, coffee table, either a dining table w/chairs or a breakfast bar w/high stools, iron and ironing board, refrigerator/freezer, oven, cooktop, microwave, toaster, kettle, pots and pans, crockery, and cutlery.

  • All bedrooms are equipped with an en-suite bathroom and shower, bookshelves, study desk and chair, wardrobe, and desk lamp. Bed linens and towels are provided.

  • 24-hour WiFi is accessible throughout the village.

  • A self-service launderette is located at the residence (extra fees apply to use this service).
  • The residences have security outside of office hours (with regular patrols).

  • Apartments can only be accessed with key cards.
  • Breakfast is provided daily. Participants will be responsible for lunch and dinner each day.

    Ground transportation is provided for all program activities. Additionally, all participants will be provided a Leap Card for use on public transportation in Dublin.

    CCSA Central Office

    Contact Information

    Kara Arvin - Applications

    Erika Ryser - Payments

    Denise Knisely - Travel

    Steven Guns

    On-Site Director

    Steven Guns Steven is the Director of Education Abroad at Murray State University and has been directing programs with CCSA since 2012. Steven studied in Spain and South Korea as a student. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and his Master of Science in international education administration/college student personnel from Murray State University. Steven has made accessible study abroad a focus, working on multiple programs designed for students with disabilities.

    Group or Individual Travel Allowed

    Option One - Group Travel

    Travel together with faculty, staff and other participants from your CCSA program with our group travel. CCSA will purchase a airline ticket from select U.S. cities on your behalf. The airline cost will be included in your final bill from CCSA. In addition to the flight, you will also receive transport to/from the accommodation in the destination city and the airport.

    You can check our currently available departure cities on our departures page CCSA highly recommends this option for those new to international travel.

    Includes:
    • roundtrip air transportation from one of CCSA's designated U.S. departure cities.
    • roundtrip ground transportation between airport and the accommodation site.
    • CCSA faculty and staff to guide you through the immigration and customs process.

    Option Two - Individual Travel

    If you wish to make independent travel arrangements and depart from a city not listed or travel outside the program dates please choose INDEPENDENT TRAVEL from the selection below. You will book your own flights and arrange your own transportation to/from the airport and the accommodation site of the program. This is a great option for going early, staying late, or using airline miles to purchase tickets. We highly recommend participants not fly standby for these programs as a late arrival may negatively impact your grade.

    Important Note for Independent Travelers: Please be aware that your check-in date may be up to 24 hours AFTER the program start date (program dates include travel time).

    Check the CCSA website at https://ccsa.cc/departures for your scheduled date/time check-in.

    * All prices are estimates based on prior programs. Final pricing will be published on the CCSA website by the first payment deadline.

    Visas

    Not required for U.S. citizens for less than a 3-month stay. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for obtaining a visa as needed.

    Program Dates
    June 17, 2023 —July 03, 2023

    Base Price
    $3,399

    Single Room Supplement
    + 0TBD
    (This is the extra cost to reserve a single room.)


    Airfare
    $1275

    Payment Process
    See our payments page
    Enrollment Status: CLOSED

    Application Deadline
    March 03, 2023
    Late applications accepted as space allowed; $30 late app fee applies.

    Courses Offered

    Literature / English / Sociology / History

    Castles and Cliffsides: Literature of the Emerald Isle
    Gain an understanding of the rich historical and cultural background to Irish literature by experiencing the locales that have inspired Irish authors over the centuries, including ancient churches and castles, Ireland's beautiful and mystic landscape, and the historic pubs where iconic music still flourishes. From the Cliffs of Moher to the Giant's Causeway and from seaside villages to Dublin's vibrant urban culture, this class will focus on the sources of Irish literature and the magnificent range of ways that Irish authors have depicted the human condition in such literary genres as romanticism, mysticism, satire, Gothic and realism.
    Prerequisite: None
    WKU Course: ENGL 290 / ENG 399
    Prof. Bill Mullen | 3 Cr. Hrs. | U

    Literature / History / Celtic Studies

    The Power of Irish Myth
    Explore the mysterious and enduring world of Celtic legend as you travel through the stunning landscapes and visit historic sites associated with the gods, kings, warriors, and lovers of ancient Irish culture. Exhibits at Dublin’s National Museum and National Library as well as Trinity College’s Book of Kells will deepen your understanding of Celtic society and its values, while visits to monastic ruins, hill forts and dolmens, and other famed rural sites will enrich your imaginative capacity for relating to the ancient legends. You will come away from our journey knowing how and why the survival of the Irish mythological tradition shaped -- and continues to shape -- Ireland's cultural, political, and spiritual identity.
    Prerequisite: Basic writing requirement. A survey or Intro to Literature course is recommended.
    WKU Course: ENGL 290 / ENGL 339
    Dr. Barbara J. Burch | 3 Cr. Hrs. | U

    Nursing / Healthcare Administration / Social Work

    Self-Development of the Healthcare Provider: A Cross-Cultural Examination
    In this class comparing the American and Irish health care systems, you'll learn how culture shapes our professional self by influencing how we understand and value the world around us. Awareness of sociocultural influences on health beliefs and behaviors can equip future healthcare providers with skills to transform personal and professional practice. Interaction with healthcare providers while visiting hospitals, pharmacies, public health agencies and research facilities will deepen student's understanding of how Irish and American health systems compare in such areas as healthcare education and public health policies. We'll also learn how cultural and historical influences shape modern healthcare practices by touring historic sites.
    Prerequisite: None
    WKU Course: NURS 317 / HCA 347 / SWRK 490
    Dr. Miranda Peterson, DNP, RN, CNE | 3 Cr. Hrs. | U
    © 2015-2025 The Cooperative Center for Study Abroad