Ireland: Galway Semester

Program Overview

Galway, with a population of 62,000, is the ideal European university town. A significant number of Galway’s population is made up of current or former college students; the resulting interdependence of town and gown has helped build a compact, thriving city that caters to young people. Galway has been enjoying an economic boom in recent times; yet, it still retains a powerful and intimate sense of community. For nearly a thousand years, Galway has been the largest and most important city in the west of Ireland. As the capital of Connemara – the outcropping of land between Lough Corrib and the Atlantic Ocean – Galway is at the heart of one of the world’s most scenic and evocative landscapes. Cultural richness is reflected by the strong academic programs in Irish Studies offered by the University, and by the lively arts scene for which Galway is renowned.

Academic Profile

National University of Ireland in Galway

The National University of Ireland, Galway was established in 1845 and is located in the fourth largest city in the Republic of Ireland. The school, situated on the banks of the River Corrib, offers a variety of student services that are all close to Galway's city center. Galway is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with a thriving cultural and commercial community. Traces of Galway's rich medieval past are evident on all sides. Because of its dynamic and pioneering role in theater, arts and culture, Galway has earned the title "Cultural Capital of Ireland". The University now has over 15,000 students and more than fifty academic departments and research centers. Academic resources include a library, computer resource center, an Irish Language Center, and the Applied Languages Center. Over 1,500 international students, almost 10% of the student population, representing 50 countries attend University College Galway each year. The international students are mainly from Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

Course Offerings

Students may take advantage of the wide variety of courses offered at the University's Faculty of Arts, which includes the following disciplines: Archaeology, Italian, Classical Civilization, Latin, Economics, Legal Science, English, Mathematics, French, Mathematical Physics, Irish Studies, Philosophy, Geography, Psychology, German, Sociological and Political Studies, History, Film School, Health Promotion, Information Technology, Women’s Studies Center and Spanish. Offerings in the Faculty of Science are available to qualified students basis. The program is open to juniors and seniors.

Course link: http://www.nuigalway.ie/arts/overseas_students.html

Academic Highlights

NUI Galway is one of Ireland's foremost centers of academic excellence. With over 15,000 students, it has a long established reputation of teaching and research excellence in each of its seven faculties - Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Celtic Studies, Medicine & Health Sciences, and Law. Faculty of Commerce offers Accounting & Finance, Management, Economics, and Marketing. Anesthesia, Anatomy, Bacteriology, General Practice, Health Promotion, Medical Informatics, Medicine, Nursing, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Occupational Therapy, Pediatrics, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Psychiatry, Radiology, Speech & Language Therapy, Surgery are available in the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. The University’s seven Faculties provide a comprehensive range of programs, from primary to higher degree levels. The student experience is of a paramount importance by a commitment to enhancing the quality of academic programs and of all aspects of the student experience.

Activities and Opportunities

Student Life

There is a variety of student activities on campus such as clubs, recreation, and the International Students' Society, which arranges social and cultural events throughout the year and fosters cross-cultural understanding. The clubs include field sports (Gaelic football for males and females, rugby, cricket, camogie and soccer for females), outdoor (athletics, cyclying, equestrian, mountaineering, and tennis), indoor clubs (archery, badminton, basketball, fencing, handball, racquetball, and volleyball), martial arts (aikido, judo, karate, kung fu, and tae kwon do) and water sports (kayak, rowing, sailing, sub-aqua, surf, swimming & waterpolo, and windsurfing). Sport facilities such as sports halls, squash courts, and handball/racquet courts are available. The orientation program at the outset of the semester provides practical information regarding life in Galway.

Housing

NUI Galway helps students find appropriate accommodation in Student Residences, flats, apartments or houses. There are now nine Student Residences providing self-catering housing specifically for NUI Galway students. Each student residence is managed independently of the University. Application Forms for residency are available directly from each residence. Details of location and costs for each student residence can be found at the Galway housing Web site. Homestays and off-campus apartments are also available.

Alumni Feedback

"It was rewarding meeting the Irish students and others through societies and other shared interests."
- Johanna Biviano

"The environment and the people were extraordinary. I made some great friends, and the chance to explore and travel was wonderful."
- Angelina Moore

"I met many people and made some great friends. The satisfaction of traveling completely on my own was the greatest feeling of independence I've ever known."
- Allison MacDonald

Galway Semester Program Details

Duration

Fall Semester – September 3-December 19, 2008
Spring Semester – January 9-May 23, 2008

Application Deadline(s)

Fall Semester – June 1
Spring Semester – November 1

Eligibility Requirements

A 3.0 GPA is required for participation on this program and the program is open to juniors and seniors.

Costs

Contact Sponsor

Costs Included

The program fee includes tuition, instructional fees and insurance

Costs Not Included

Passport, Irish immigration fees, room & board, books, airfare and personal expenses

Entry Requirements

U.S. Passport
Non-U.S. citizens check with Irish Consulate for entry requirements

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.

Submit Application Materials To:

Alice Sayegh, Director

International Studies
St. Bonaventure University
Reilly Center 221B
St. Bonaventure, NY 14778
1-716-375-2574
1-716-375-7882 (Fax)
asayegh@sbu.edu

- or -

Alci Arias, Assistant Director

Center for International Education Abroad Truman State University
Kirk Building 114
Kirksville, MO 63501
(660) 785-4076
(660) 785-7473 (Fax)
aclidean@truman.edu

How do I apply?

Start the CCIS Study Abroad application process by downloading and printing the following forms. These PDF documents are viewed using Adobe's Acrobat Reader plug-in, which is available free. If you don't have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, click here.

CCIS APPLICATION PACKAGE AND INSTRUCTIONS