Located on the beautiful Stranmillis campus in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the Irish Studies Program houses students in a safe and welcoming community, within walking distance of the Belfast city center.

What to Expect:

This semester in Belfast is a new opportunity to be immersed in the culture and education of Northern Ireland with our partner institution, Stranmillis, a college of Queens University Belfast. Students will be in class with local university students and other international students, and will live on the lovely Stran campus—a green “EcoCampus” but also in the walkable heart of the city. Support will be provided by the local program director, and a graduate assistant.

Throughout the semester, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to experience incredible historical and natural sites around Northern Ireland, as well as a trip into the Republic of Ireland.

Special trips and events include: bus tour of Belfast; Cave Hill hike; visits to Giant’s Causeway, visits to historic houses and castles, Titanic Belfast, Stormont Parliament buildings, US Consulate (with prior government approval) and Belfast City Hall; sporting events—e.g. Ulster Rugby and Belfast Giants; outdoor activity day—e.g. watersports; international student lunch; and a visit to Dublin.

Course delivery is primarily modular, roughly divided into three segments. Students take their courses throughout the semester, with a 6–7 week time spent at their practicum site, leading up to Easter break. After the three-week-long Easter holiday, they return to full time classes. Classes are similar to most European colleges, heavily weighted on 1–2 assignments with reading throughout.

A major strength of this program is the practicum opportunities. Placements in local schools can fulfill requirements for Education majors. Other placements can be a good fit for OVC, Global Studies, PPE, and Marketing or Communication majors.