SHU In Ireland

..the good ol days in Dingle with SHU

I studied in Dingle the fall ‘06 semester and can’t believe it’s been 2 years already! Since then I’ve graduated from SHU and started on way towards a career, but can’t help but miss the “good ol’ days”. One of my best friends spent the semester abroad with me and every time we’re together we can’t help but reminisce about the late nights at the pubs or getting stuck in the mud while hiking Mt. Brandon at midnight.

Everyone experiences life differently and Dingle touches everyone in various ways, but for me it gave me a chance to slow down. I can’t explain what it was about the town, but while I was there I paid little attention to the time passing. It wasn’t as if time stood still; I was very aware that I only had a certain amount of time left there. I simply wasn’t under the constant pressure of deadlines and due dates. I could go for walks and not feel guilty that I should be busy at work on something. I began to love to do and to eat things that I never expected to… I had even gotten so used to the rain that I kinda missed it once I was home. I got to go back this past June as a graduation gift and there was a rainbow over the harbor as drove into town… I like to think of it as a big “Welcome Home”.

Ok I think I’m getting far too sentimental and cheesy now, so I’m going to end here. But if you are even remotely considering the program… DO IT! It’s well worth it.

-Beth Robertson

another happy customer..

Hello All

I was just deleting some old emails today and I came across this email that a student sent to me and I thought that I would share it with the readers of this blog. I get huge satisfaction from knowing how much students enjoy their time here in Dingle and reading this email made my day.

Sean -

 

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you so much for all that you did for not only me but the whole group of students participating in the winter program in Dingle. I had an absolutely amazing time as I'm sure everybody else did. It was incredible the way that you made sure everyone's needs were met and everyone got a chance to do what they wanted to do and take advantage of the many opportunities available to us. Hiking the ridge walk was something that I will never forget. Dingle was such a beautiful town and one that I hope to visit sometime in the future - maybe spring or summer next time! I truly appreciated the welcoming and warm acceptance we were greeted with. The program exceeded my expectation and I have you to thank for so much of that.

 

Hope this email finds you doing well. If you are ever in America you better stop by Sacred Heart!

 

Thanks again.

Monica L.

Parents know best.....

I thought that I would share with you,a letter of recommendation that I received from the parents of a student who spent a Semester here in Dingle.

We have always been impressed by the education our daughter, Elizabeth is receiving at Sacred Heart University but the semester abroad in the Irish Studies/Dingle Program was outstanding. We believe that education is a combination of experience and study. In an era in which diversity is the norm, we thought living in Ireland would be an invaluable experience for our daughter. We were both fortunate enough to visit Ireland ourselves, as young people.

The Dingle Program was a great mix of Irish history, music, folklore, and language. There were many other activities, as the kids even went kayaking. It also afforded a unique opportunity to visit other countries during the semester break and to develop close bonds with the other students in the program. We visited our daughter at Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time with the kids and their professors. The expenses for the semester abroad were only nominally higher than a semester at home; however, the experience was priceless. We both highly recommend any parent to encourage their son or daughter to participate in the Dingle Program. We just wished the program was for the entire year!

The welcome home sign to comfort our daughter on her return read, “may your months of Irish sunsets lead to years of bright sunrises”. Having studied and lived in Ireland she will remember those days as a life-long opportunity, as well as, a cultural privilege.

B. & M.Robertson

What's happening in Dingle?

If you want to find out what's happening in Dingle, click on the following link. There you will find up to date news on events happening in Dingle, you will find related video's, you can even see a video of Fungi, the Dingle Dolphin. And you feel so inclined, you can even look at the local death notices...

ttp://dinglenews.blogspot.com/

Coming to America

Welcome news for SHU students coming to Dingle

Euro falls below $1.25 level

Friday, 24 October 2008 11:00

The euro fell below $1.25 this morning, hitting another two-year low on expectations of euro zone interest rate cuts and slowing economic growth amid the global financial crisis.

The single European single currency dived as low as $1.2497, which was last seen in October 2006. The euro later stood at $1.2521, down from $1.2926 last night.

Spring Semester & January Term Deadline Approaching!

Planning to apply for the January Term or the Spring Semester?  Just a friendly reminder that the deadline to complete the Online Application is October 15th! 

Irish Language Day in Fairfield, CT

The Gaelic-American Club of Fairfield County and FEILE, Inc. invite you to attend a one-day Irish language immersion course on October 25th.

Classes will be for beginners (no Irish), beginners (a little Irish), intermediate and advanced speakers as well as a variety of workshops. All skill levels are welcome.

The schedule for the day includes:

8:15 - 8:50 a.m. Check in, Registration, Coffee and…
8:50 - 9:00 a.m. Fáilte and Orientation
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. First Language Class
10:15 - 11:00 a.m Workshops
11:15 - 12:15 p.m. Second Language Class
12:15 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:45 - 2:45 p.m. Third Language Class
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Workshops
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Seisiún with door prizes

Questions? Contact:

Cait Thopsey – Kthopsey@mail.fairfield.edu

In Connecticut? Check out this Event

The SHU Center for Irish Cultural Studies is proud to be supporting the Wild Geese of Connecticut with their first-ever "Irish College Day" which will be held on Sacred Heart University's Fairfield Campus on Saturday, November 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The day-long seminar will kick off with a presentation by Ambassador Niall Burgess, Consul General of Ireland in New York, on The Changing Face of 21st century Ireland. Other speakers will include:

• Ray O’Hanlon, Chief Editor of the Irish Echo on Irish-Americans and the 2008 Presidential Election
• Dr. Karen Overby of Tufts University on Irish Mythology in the Nation’s Art
• Dr. Mark Doyle of Amherst College with an Update on Northern Ireland.

For further information and reservations, contact Eileen Heaphy, Executive Director of The Wild Geese at 203-325-1750 or eheaphy@optonline.net or Deanna Fiorentino, Director of the SHU Center for Irish Cultural Studies at 203-365-7626 or irishstudies@sacredheart.edu.

Seán Pól (Dingle Campus Director) auditioning for American Idol

Yes, it's true. I think i have what it takes to become a big star, at least my mother thinks so. Only joking (unless you think i should audition..)

The video clips came from a great night that we had last May  with the SHU students in TP's pub in Ballydavid.

We also did some Irish Set Dancing that night, it's amazing how fast the students pick up the steps.

have a look at the clips

Seán Pól singing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8OlMs1WZPo

SHU Students dancing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUMI4yML2cY