Galway, a university town with a vibrant artistic and cultural atmosphere, is the administrative capital of County Galway and the largest city in the West of Ireland. This area of the country is noted for its geographic and cultural distinctiveness. With the largest concentration of Gaelic-speaking communities in Ireland, the West is widely recognized as the most typically "Irish" part of the country. The Gaelic heritage is perhaps most evident in the Aran Islands (Inishmore, Inishmaan, and Inisheer), located just off the coast at the entrance to Galway Bay.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges maintain an affiliation with the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) to provide students with the opportunity to live and study among Irish students at an Irish university. Participants in the program are also encouraged to join one of the many university clubs and organizations in order to directly experience Irish student life and culture. A service learning project, required of all students and linked to the Director's Seminar, will provide a unique opportunity for students to gain access to the local community.
This program consists of a combination of special courses taught for the group and regular university courses. All students will take two required courses:
Contemporary Irish Culture and Society (1
credit)
Professor Louis De Paor is Director of The Centre for Irish Studies at NUIG and serves as our on-site Academic
Coordinator. He and several faculty colleagues from NUIG will collaborate to offer this survey of Irish culture and
society.
Fall 2012 Director's Seminar — From the Bogs to Bluegrass: Irish Music and Its American Progeny (1 credit)
Much of American folk and country music has grown from Irish or Celtic roots. Dock Boggs, Bill Monroe, Hank
Williams, Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, John Prine, Bob Dylan, and Alison Krauss are just some of the musicians
influenced by Irish music. Of course contemporary Irish music (Van Morrison, U2, The Pogues, and other bands)
remains an influence, too--and these bands in turn often pay homage to their native roots. This course will look at
these influences from a largely historical and sociological but sometimes purely musical point of view. We will
supplement our readings and in-class listening with field trips to various musical venues in the Galway area.
Elective Courses (2 courses/2 credits)
In addition, students will select two electives from the regular NUIG catalogue. Following are examples of
courses taken by students on previous programs. Consult the NUIG website for further details on course offerings: NUIG website
You should only look at courses that are offered in Semester 1 (the Fall Semester).
| Introduction to Northern Irish Politics | Feminist Thought | Shakespearean Comedies |
| Short Plays of Samuel Beckett | Women in Irish Society | Climatology |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | Gaelic Language | Scottish Short Stories |
| Church and State in Ireland | Contemp. Irish Poetry | The English Language in Ireland |
| Anatomy and Physiology | Cell Biology | Irish Famine in a European Perspective |
| Medieval Ireland 5th-9th Centuries | Irish Art |
The Galway program is accessible to students from virtually any academic discipline as participants will be able to select two courses from the NUIG catalogue. Note that access for international students to some NUIG courses is limited due to such factors as the duration of the course and the nature of course prerequisites. Science students with very specific courses needs are advised to consult with staff at the Center for Global Education before applying to this program.
This program is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors in good academic and social standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students may be required to complete a pre-requisite course in the semester prior to participating in the program. If you are accepted to the program, we will let you know about any pre-req course in your acceptance letter. Due to the challenging nature of study abroad, student academic and disciplinary records will be carefully screened.
Students on this program will be housed alongside Irish and international students in flats in a complex called "Gort na Coiribe", located on the Headford Road about a 10-minute walk from the NUIG campus. Fully equipped kitchens are included in the flats and a large shopping center and a cinema complex are nearby. As you are responsible for your own meals on this program you may choose to prepare your own at home; in addition, full meals may be purchased at the university canteen at government subsidized prices. To view the accommodations, visit the Gort na Coiribe website at Gort na Coiribe website.
Several excursions linked to the Irish Culture and Society course are included as part of this program. They typically include visits to Northern Ireland, Dublin, Cork, Kerry, and the Aran Islands. Some local excursions in and around Galway may be organized as well.
Students will be charged standard HWS tuition and room fees and a $550 administrative fee. This will cover credit for a four-course semester, housing and class-related excursions. Note that no HWS board fee will be charged. Students should plan to bring their board fee to Ireland to cover meal expenses. While these expenses will vary according to individual tastes, we estimate that about $2,000 should be sufficient for students who typically prepare their own meals. Additional expenses not covered include airfare, books, visa and personal expenses (laundry, entertainment, ground transportation and independent travel). We estimate airfare for this program at $800-900 from the East Coast, books at $250 and visa at $215. It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of personal expenses because student spending habits differ considerably. We would suggest a minimum of $1,500 above and beyond meal expenses. However, students on a tight budget should be able to manage with less. If you are concerned about finances, we strongly encourage you to talk to the CGE staff who can offer information and advice based on your specific situation.
NOTE: The information contained in this brochure is subject to change. Please see the CGE for more information.
