SHU In Ireland

Fáilte.. welcome

My name is Jessica Roberts and I am currently a senior at SHU. I studied in Dingle, Ireland the spring semester of my sophomore year (2007). While I was in Dingle, I did everything from kayaking and surfing to hill walks and pottery making. As for lessons, I learned the history and archaeology, language, music, and religion. These classes brought us from the classroom to trips around the peninsula to get a hand on experience of what Dingle has to offer. By studying abroad for the semester, I was also able to travel throughout Europe on two different breaks that we had. Overall, I went to six different countries, including Ireland. These experiences allowed me to grow as an individual and as a student. I have taken the lessons I learned and continue to use them today.

I would recommend the program to anyone and if I could I would do it again. If anyone has any questions about the program or my experiences while abroad, please feel free to contact me.

-Jessica Roberts

SHU Students reach for the skies..

I along with fifteen students and Dr. Reid from the May 08 Intersession took the decision to climb Mount Brandon which stands at over 3000 feet, and wow, what a day it turned out to be. The weather was wonderful for the climb, beautiful sunshine with a warm onshore breeze.

We walked up the mountain from the spectacular eastern side, which allowed the students to see the beauty of the aftermath of a retreating glacier (300 million years ago, even I’m not that old..) can look like, beautiful corrie lakes, ragged paths that criss- cross the mountain.

After a well deserved break, we took on the hardest part of the climb; you know what they say, no pain, no gain…But, it was worth the effort, as once we reached the summit a view greeted us that can honestly take your breath away.

We walked down the western slope of Mount Brandon which presented a huge contrast from its eastern side, as it largely escaped the gouging effect of the glaciers, with the result that it presents an almost unbroken grassy slope.I have to say that I took great pleasure in guiding SHU students up Mount Brandon, some had never climbed a mountain before, and I was very proud that they made the effort and I know that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  Click on the pictures for a better view.

Seán

Kerry loses out in the All Ireland Football Final

Well, I have to say, I’m disappointed after this week, my team, Kerry, lost to Tyrone in the Gaelic All Ireland football final. Kerry were going for three in a row, having won the final in the previous two years, so, this was meant to be the 3 in a row, which would have guaranteed this present Kerry team a place amongst the greats of all football teams over the past century, but, alas, it was not to be.

Watched by over 82,000 supporters, both teams played with passion driven on by the massive crowd, but, Tyrone pulled away in the last five minutes and fully deserved their win( we don’t like sore losers here in Kerry). The atmosphere in Dublin was great, with great colour and banter between the two sets of supporters. Four members of the team are from the Dingle area, so, understandably, there was a lot of local interest in the game.

SHU students get an opportunity to see a football match while in Dingle, and indeed, if a semester student wants to join a local team, then that is also organised.

Click here to get more info on our national game and also more reports on the final.

http://www.gaa.ie/page/football.html

http://www.gaa.ie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5awrptkZ-YE

Want to completely immerse yourself in a different culture? Spring Semester 2009 in Dingle could be the answer

Students arrive in Dingle in early January and embark on a wonderful journey into the culture of majestic Ireland.

SHU offer a well balanced schedule of course time and other fun activities that allow students to have such a wonderful experience that they’ll keep coming back to Dingle. Currently we have four past semester students living here in Dingle. Past students have also used their time to visit other European countries, such as Spain,Scotland, Italy.

If you are interested in learning more about the Spring 2009 Semester, have a look at the website

http://shuireland.sacredheart.edu/pages/145_semester_abroad_program.cfm

Of course, if you have any questions, or if you would like to get in touch with a student who have been here in Dingle for a semester, let me know.

Ire-oconnors@sacredheart.edu

Seán

Dingle awaits your presence…

Seán Pól (Dingle Campus Course Director) here from Dingle. As you can see, Deanna has put up the course list, that we are running here in Dingle this year.  I hope that you’ll agree with me, that there is a great selection of courses on offer and hopefully, there’s something there that tickles your fancy.

I was delighted to hear, that there were many students at the first info session held a few weeks ago, I’m sure that past students who have come on the Sacred Heart Irish Study Abroad programs are encouraging their friends to come over and experience Dingle for themselves, did you know that 100% of past students indicated that they would encourage their friends to register for our courses here in Dingle, I’m very proud of this fact, it means that we are obviously doing something right, after all, past students are an important source of information and advice to perspective students. If you are interested in coming here to Dingle, get in touch with past students and ask for their advice.

I would also like to welcome Molly Rosa to the SHU Dingle Study Abroad blog. Molly was a student here in Dingle last May. I have fond memories of the May 08 group, from Climbing Mount Brandon to going out to the Blasket Islands, what a day that was, the weather was fabulous, and indeed Molly has a group picture from that day in her blog entry.

Slán (goodbye)

2008 - 2009 Courses in Ireland Announced!

Hi Everyone!

With the Fall semester in full swing for only a couple of weeks, we've already begun receiving applications for the spring semester program and our short-term programs in January, March and May.

Here are the courses we're offering this year:

January Term 2009
Depart U.S. Friday, January 2nd ~ Depart Ireland Saturday, January 17th
Course Options:
Contemporary Issues in Marketing: Ireland & the Dingle Peninsula (MK399)
Theology & Native Irish Spirituality (RS315)
Doing Anthropology: Ethnography of Social Change in Ireland (AN299)

Spring Break 2009
Depart U.S. Friday, March 6th ~ Depart Ireland Sunday, March 15th
Theology & Native Irish Spirituality (RS315)

May Term 2009
Depart U.S. Friday, May 15th ~ Depart Ireland Saturday, May 30th
Course Options:
Local & National Government of Ireland (PO299)
Social Issues of Economics (EC211)
Contemporary Irish Literature (EN299)
Theology & Native Irish Spirituality (RS315)

Spring Semester 2009:
Theology & Native Irish Spirituality (RS315)
Irish Traditional Music (MU106)
Irish Anthropology & Folklore (AN107)
Irish Archaeology (HI313)
Introduction to Irish Language (GL011)

More information on all terms--and our application--can be found on our web site at http://shuireland.sacredheart.edu.

Contact me any time with questions...

Deanna

Welcome!

Hello all! My name is Molly Rosa and I am currently a senior here at Sacred Heart.

I was lucky enough to study abroad in Ireland for the May 2008 session. As I am sure you have read from Deanna and Sean Pol, Dingle is an experience in itself. The breathtaking scenery and lively town make the journey even that much more wonderful. The May intercession is roughly 2 weeks, leaving time for one course worth 3 credits. I was able to take Doing Anthropology: the Ethnography of Social Change in Ireland. Don’t’ be frightened by the name! Our focus was the social and cultural changes of Dingle throughout the years. It was a great opportunity, we were able to go out and interview local residents of Dingle. We found out what it was like growing up in a Gaelic speaking community and how tourism has affected the small town. I highly recommend any student on studying abroad, especially in Ireland. You are able to study and live in an entirely different culture other than your own. I can’t say enough good things about it! Well this is my first blog so I probably shouldn’t ramble on and on. I’ll be here for any questions you may have or if you would like to talk about the program. Thanks so much! Talk to you soon..

Slan! (…thanks Sean Pol)

P.S! I included a picture of a group of us visiting the Blasket Islands..enjoy!