WHY STUDY LITERATURE AND PHOTOGRAPHY IN IRELAND?

Ireland offers a heritage of traditional and contemporary culture, with a wealth of artists, museums, entertainment, and historical sites that will inspire student’s study of literature and photography.  Dublin, a UNESCO “City of Literature,” is the major center for Irish art and national history. Ireland’s largest city, Dublin is a hub for artists, food, pubs, art, and museums. Many of the major artists and historical figures that shaped Ireland call Dublin home. Dublin will offer students a captivating and vibrant city that will enrich their studies of Irish culture. Further west is Galway and the Wild Atlantic Way. Students will visit the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands where Irish remains the primary language. The landscapes of Western Ireland served as inspiration for a number of artists who used geography as a means to explore a unique Irish identity. The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast is more than its Game of Thrones association. A fascinating and complex history, Belfast with Derry present one of the world’s largest collections of cultural and political murals that illustrate the story of Irish history. With its picturesque landscapes, its fascinating social history, and its wealth of art and culture, Dublin and Ireland is where students can become passionate about literature and photography in their study abroad.

SEE THIS IRELAND PROMO VIDEO AND MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS:

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRIPS

• "Irish for a Day" experience at Causey Farm
• Evening Dublin Literary Pub Walk
• Bloomsday Festival in Dublin, a city-wide celebration of James Joyce’s Ulysses.
• Events and exhibitions at the James Joyce Center, Dublin Writers Museum, and Museum of Literature Ireland support our reading in Irish literature.
• A Black Cab Tour with guide of the murals of Belfast.
• Photography fieldtrip to the Cliffs of Moher and an all-day trip to the Aran Islands. 
• A visit to the Seamus Heaney HomePlace and Derry’s “Free Derry Museum” to gain insight into the complex political, social, and literary history of Northern Ireland.
• Fieldtrips to the Dublin Gallery of Photography and Belfast Compact Photo Festival (pending).
• Tour of the old Trinity Library and the Book of Kells exhibition

PROGRAM LOGISTICS

• Open to students age 18 and older with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or more. If you are below a 2.00 GPA and place a deposit for this program, it will be returned to you, and you could be assessed a nonrefundable $50 application fee from AIFS. If you’re not sure about your academic status, please check your SRJC portal or contact the Study Abroad coordinator, Patty Warne (pwarne@santarosa.edu).

• Students will be taking ENGL 1B (Literature and Composition) and ART 82 (Beginning Digital Photography). Please see class link for details. 

• Optional flight transportation package available (minimum 10 students) at additional cost.

• Accommodations in Dublin (20 nights), Galway (5 nights) and Belfast (7 nights), all with single or twin rooms within a shared apartment/student dorm with shared kitchen and living space, and laundry facilities on site. Linens and towels and free wireless internet are included.

• Transportation included for all excursions and travel days.

• Leap Card travel pass pre-loaded with €30 for use on buses, Luas and Dart trains in and around Dublin and on some public buses in Galway will be provided. Translink pass for unlimited travel on public transportation in Belfast also included for Belfast section.

• AIFS will provide experienced staff team in Dublin and dedicated staff member in Galway and Belfast to ensure smooth running of program and provide information and support to the group.

• Student medical insurance will be included as outlined in the AIFS insurance brochure.

WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAM?

This program is offered to enable students to study abroad while making normal progress toward their degree objectives, and earning units in courses taught by Santa Rosa Junior College faculty. This program is offered in partnership with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), which arranges transportation, living accommodations, and a wide range of student and instructional support services. Units earned on this trip will appear on transcripts issued by Santa Rosa Junior College.

PROGRAM DATES

• Depart U.S.: Sunday, June 2, 2024
• Arrive Dublin: Monday, June 3, 2024
• Transfer to Belfast: Monday, June 3, 2024 
• Transfer to Galway: Monday, June 10, 2024 
• Transfer to Dublin:  Saturday, June 15, 2024
• Depart  Dublin: Friday, July 5, 2024

This program will also include approximately two mandatory class meetings prior to departure (TBD), most likely to take place after spring finals but before departure. We will also hold a pre-departure meeting to be conducted by AIFS.

 APPLICATION DEADLINE

• The deadline to apply and place your deposit is Friday, March 1, 2024. Please note that this program is first come, first served and once it reaches its full capacity of 30 students, the program will be closed.
•  To apply, see instructions on the Ireland Application Process page: https://study-abroad.santarosa.edu/ireland-summer-2024-application-process. If you have questions about the program, please contact Patty Warne, Study Abroad coordinator: pwarne@santarosa.edu.

FALL 2023 & SPRING 2024 INFORMATION SESSIONS (for Summer 2024 departure)

Your instructors, Tony Ruiz (truiz@santarosa.edu) and Jessica Layton (jlayton@santarosa.edu), will be holding informational meetings on this program either via Zoom or in-person on both the Petaluma and Santa Rosa campuses. Here is the schedule for those:

      All meeting times will be 12:00pm.

1. Petaluma in-person: Monday, Oct. 30^th  (Call Hall PC 695)

2. Santa Rosa in-person: Friday, Nov. 3^rd (Rm. 1529 Emeritus)

3. Zoom Mtg. Friday, Nov. 17^th

https://santarosa-edu.zoom.us/j/5441783494

4. Santa Rosa in-person: Friday, Jan. 26^th (Rm. 1529 Emeritus)

5. Zoom Mtg.: Friday, Feb. 2^nd

https://santarosa-edu.zoom.us/j/89040299652

6. Petaluma in-person: Friday, Feb. 9^th (Call Hall PC 639)

PROGRAM COSTS/SCHOLARSHIPS/FINANCIAL AID

• The AIFS program costs will have a base price of $5,695. These costs will include all lodging, scheduled field trips, medical insurance, and AIFS services. It will not include airfare, day-to-day expenses such as food, and class tuition and books.  AIFS will also be offering a group flight option at additional cost. Click here for AIFS fees, as well as a run-down of what is and isn’t included in them.
• Scholarships Information: There will be one AIFS scholarship available for $500, provided you’re willing to maintain a blog. All students in the Ireland program are eligible. Click here for the AIFS scholarship application and instructions. (Note: You can only find the scholarship application here; do not go to the general AIFS website). The deadline is March 1, 2024.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid in the summer is more limited than in fall and spring, but the Promise Grant and the Pell Grant are still available for qualifying students. For questions about your eligibility, keep your FAFSA up-to-date and check in with the SRJC Financial Aid Office. In addition, if you are eligible for the Pell Grant, check out the Gilman Scholarship and apply before March 7, 2024: https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/applicants/application-overview/  

AIFS REFUND DATES & CANCELLATION FEES

Refund requests must be done in writing to AIFS. They accept emails and that is generally the easiest way (customizedfacultyled@aifs.com). See official AIFS refund policy on your Agreement & Release form on AIFS application.  Dates to remember regarding AIFS refunds once you are enrolled in the program:

·    Friday, March 8, 2024: Last day to request refund of $450 deposit less $150 processing & non-refundable deposit fees. After that date, AIFS will not refund any of the $450 deposit. Students will also be subject to any nonrefundable canceled reservation fees by AIFS after this date. Details on AIFS Agreement & Release form on your AIFS application. 

·    Friday, April 5, 2024: Total program fee is due. NO REFUND OF PAYMENTS after this date.

AIFS PROGRAM CANCELLATION POLICY

Please click here for a summary of the AIFS program cancellation policy.