Ireland: Beautiful World: A Writers Journey in Ireland

***For Summer 2024 - Students who apply by the program deadline AND participate in the program, will automatically receive a $250 grant during the term of travel.***

Overview 

This is a hybrid program, consisting of two weeks of immersive in-country experience followed by three weeks of asynchronous online instruction. The reading list and itinerary are purposively designed to help the students see firsthand the remarkable transformation that has taken place in Irish society during the past half century. There are many drivers of this change: the Northern Ireland Peace Process, immigration, and the tech boom, to name just a few. The texts we will read and the places we will visit will offer students a unique perspective of a society that, having achieved independence from colonial rule, has subsequently had to struggle with religious intolerance, the subjugation of women, and the persecution of minorities. While the program directly addresses Ireland’s recent attempts to reckon with some of the darker chapters in its history, it also presents students with narratives of positive change. One of the texts examines the role of the church in condemning unwed mothers and their children to lives as second-class citizens. Another presents the jarring contrast between Dublin, a modern, multi- racial city, and the small-town life in County Mayo. Other texts deal with Ireland’s long history as a colony of Great Britain and the lasting impact of that experience. Still others show characters attempting to confront and overcome the legacy of a politics based on the exclusion and marginalization of distinct groups of citizens. During the two weeks in country, we will stay in Irish cities and towns, chosen because of their connection to specific Irish writers and because of the way each place manifests the dramatic changes Ireland has undergone.  We will conclude our travels by spending several days at an Irish literary festival, where students can interact with contemporary Irish writers.

Upcoming Info Sessions

Interest survey about upcoming info sessions

Living Arrangements 

Students will be housed in shared hotel rooms and hostels during the program.

Program Dates 

May 19, 2024 - June 2, 2024. Students will need to depart the US on May 18th to arrive in Dublin by May 19th.

Good to Know

This program accepts students on a rolling basis, so get your application in early!

Students can expect a moderate amount of walking on this program.

Academics  

Students will earn a total of 3 credits and choose one of the following courses:

• ENG 2010 Fiction & Nonfiction
• ENG 2020 Poetry & Drama
• ENG 3350 Irish Literature
• ENG 3070J Research & Writing
• ENG 3610 Fiction Workshop
• ENG 3960 Advanced Fiction Workshop
• ENG 4600 Senior Seminar
• ENG 4810 CW Form & Theory

Cost  

The program fee for this program includes: accommodations, in-country transportation during program activities, excursions, welcome and farewell dinners and international health insurance.

In addition to the program fee, students should plan for 3 credit hours of tuition*, administrative fee, and out-of-pocket costs. Below is the student budget worksheet for this program, which outlines these costs.  

Student Budget Worksheet 2024

Items that are not related to the program (ie. additional entertainment, souvenirs, extra travel, contingency funds) are not included in the cost estimates provided and should be budgeted for separately.  

*Note: 

• Non-resident surcharge waived for the credit hours associated with this program. 
• If you are nominated to this program, you will be required to pay a deposit to confirm your participation. The deposit is a down payment on the total costs to be billed by OHIO and is determined by the total cost of the program. 

Looking for Funding Opportunities? 

***For Summer 2024 - Students who apply by the program deadline AND participate in the program, will automatically receive a $250 grant during the term of travel.***

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

Eligibility and Requirements 

This program is open to all undergraduate Ohio University students with a sophomore, junior or senior class standing that have successfully completed ENG 1510. The minimum GPA for admission consideration is 3.0, but students not meeting this requirement may petition the directors to obtain permission to apply. An interview with the directors is required.

Please submit a statement of purpose, no longer than 500 words, a copy of your DARS, and the name and contact information of one reference.

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad. Read the entire conduct policy. 

This program accepts NON-OHIO students. For more information about this process visit the Non-OHIO student page.   

Participants must have a at least a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g. GED) by the start date of the program to be considered for eligibility.  Students enrolled in College Credit Plus (CC+) are not eligible for study away programs.

Entry and Exit Requirements 

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year,  apply for your passport  now. Some countries also require a visa to legally enter or reside in the country.

U.S. citizens  will not  need a visa or other special document to enter the country for the length of this program. Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to this program. 

For more specific visa related information, please visit OGO’s  Visa Information Page 

Information for  Non-U.S. citizens 

Resources 

• Health and Safety
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations