IRELAND
Identity, Emigration and Religion
Deeper, More Meaningful Study Abroad
Ireland offers you opportunities to explore what it means to assume the responsibilities of global citizenship from the lived experience of a specific place.
Living in Dublin, studying and working for community-based groups and agencies in the city, and with easy access to the rest of the country and to Northern Ireland, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a rich and varied cultural heritage and get to understand first hand the current issues of both native Irish as well as immigrants to Ireland's shores.
The Republic of Ireland's capital has transformed itself over the last 20 years from a quiet, provincial city into a modern, thriving European city. Universities abound and create a youthful energy as about 35% of Dublin's population is under 25. Lively urban areas with ancient pubs, live music and restaurants mingle with historic churches and libraries, ancient ruins and beautiful green spaces. The Liffey River (spanned by numerous beautiful bridges) divides the city into two distinct areas where you can explore. You will find it easy to enjoy the best of what Dublin has to offer!
Experience Ireland like a local...not a tourist
Serving alongside and living with the people of Ireland provides so many opportunities to converse with, hang-out with and explore with the locals. Grab hold of this unique opportunity to immerse in another culture like never before. Want to feel like Dublin is your new second home? Come with IPSL to Ireland!
Academic Immersion Focused on Real Cultural Understanding
COSA (Community Organizing & Social Activism) in Ireland and a Service-Learning Reflections & Practicum course anchors the academics and provides a bridge of understanding between theory and the real world.
Program Highlights
Language of Instruction:English
Transcript issued by the IPSL Institute for Global Learning
Courses & Credits - Semester
Students may take up to 18 credits
Courses are 3 credits each
Courses & Credits - Summer
Students may take up to 9 credits
Courses are 3 credits each
Required Courses
COSA in Ireland (Community Organizing & Social Activism) – 6 credits
Intro to COSA (Semester course offered on-line) – 3 credits
Possible Electives
Electives may vary depending on term and, as with all institutions, may not be offered due to low enrollment and other factors. Additionally, not all choices may be available as there may be a scheduling conflict between the required courses, your service obligations and your electives. It is best to choose additional electives from the list and get approval from your home school in advance.
Exploring Irish Literature from the Birth of Ireland to Contemporary Times
Irish History: The Making of Modern Ireland
Semester Students may choose 2 electives courses
Summer Students may choose 1 elective course
Service Opportunities
Opportunities for substantive service (approximately 15 hours per week) are generally available in the following areas:
After school clubhouse providing education to inner-city, at-risk children
NGO dedicated to Public Health
International non-profit dedicated to issues in developing countries
Non-Profit dedicated to promoting racial understanding through sport
International Human Rights Organization
Community-Based Youth Resource Center
Faith-Based non-profit working with the unemployed
Animal Shelter housing and re-homing unwanted animals
People struggling with addiction
Housing
Homestays with a local Irish family are arranged. Partial board (breakfast and dinner Monday - Friday and three meals per day on the weekends) is included. An integral part of the program, the homestay offers you the opportunity to make life-long friends and experience the culture from "the inside." All IPSL host families are carefully selected and experienced with hosting students. Living with local residents is part of the immersion experience. Instead of being a tourist, an IPSL student gets to know what it's like to be part of a different culture.
Eligibility
The program welcomes students of any nation who have a high school diploma or equivalent credential and are, at least, 18 years old. TOEFL equivalent 550.
What's Included?
Tuition and academic fees; academic transcript; on-site and on-line orientation and pre-departure materials; homestay housing with breakfast and dinner; service placement and supervision; "Leap" card for local transportation for entire term; OPW Heritage card (admission into various Irish Heritage sites); airport pick-up upon arrival; health insurance; academic excursions.
What's typically NOT Included?
Passport; visa (if required); background check and fingerprints for volunteer clearance; vaccine fees; international airfare; books; lunches in homestay; personal spending money; local cell phone and independent travel.
IPSL engages students, educators, and grassroots organizations around the world in hands-on service to promote equitable relationships, social justice, sustainable change, and a commitment to our shared humanity.
IPSL, the founder of Service-Learning, is a global education institute within the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM.edu). They invest over 83% of their revenues directly back into the communities where they serve.
Financial Information
This is considered a 3rd Party Provider program. You will continue to pay Butler University tuition for your semester abroad, instead of the tuition cost listed on the provider's website. The Butler University CGE will receive the bill for this program on your behalf, will pay it, and will pass on these expenses in your Butler student account, including Butler tuition (instead of the tuition listed on the program’s page) and any non-tuition charges, like housing, health insurance, etc. Additionally, you will receive 100% of your federal financial aid and 50% of your Butler University institutional aid and scholarships for your semester abroad.
Additional provider fees may include: application fee, housing deposit, health insurance, etc.
**These above-stated policies may be different for tuition remission, tuition exchange, Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, and petition program students. Please check with Financial Aid for more information.**
Application Instructions
As a Butler University student, you will simultaneously apply directly with the provider for this program by their listed deadline, as well as complete this secondary application with the Center for Global Education (CGE) for your top-choice program. You can start the CGE’s application by clicking "Apply Now" above. Should you apply for/get into another program that you’d prefer, just let the CGE know and they’ll switch your completed application into the correct program.
All pre-decision materials must be completed in this online application system by the deadline listed on this application.
