Writers' Workshop in Ireland

Program Type

SU Faculty-Led

Program Provider

Seattle University

None

About this Program

The Writers’ Workshop in Ireland asks you to become a traveler and to learn how to write about your travels. While we explore the rich country and culture of Ireland, we will study various writing techniques and experiment with different kinds of writing (travel notebooks, anecdotes, stories, poems, letters, and the like) to capture our experiences. We will consider the work of writers notable for their engagement with the places we visit. These writers will act as our guides to various locales within Ireland, the history that informs these places, and the process by which they transform into memorable literary locales. We will learn how to use our writing to locate ourselves in our journeys and share our journeys with others. In the process, we will learn about the nature of travel generally—as an experience, as a theme, and as an inspiration for a host of other considerations, including further travel. SU Course(s): ENGL 3910

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Program Highlights

Course(s):
  • ENGL 3910

Level of Immersion

Language(s) of Instruction:
  • English

Features

  • Courses with Study Abroad Students
  • Experiential Immersion
  • No Language Pre-Requisites

Housing Abroad

  • Hotels
  • Dorms

Moving can be both costly and stressful, but careful planning can help minimize both. Start by creating a housing plan for before and after your study abroad experience to avoid the pressure of continuing to pay for rent at home. Program fees typically cover housing abroad, so if you expect to incur additional domestic rent expenses, be sure to include these in your budget. If possible, consider staying with family or friends temporarily before you depart or when you return to save on costs.

Housing Residence Life

Education Abroad typically recommends considering Seattle University on-campus housing for when students return from their programs, as Housing Residence Life staff are able to support students in securing housing, while adhering to student preference as best as they can.

Housing Application

Check the Housing Portal for more specific dates

  • Winter Quarter Housing applications open in November
  • Spring Quarter Housing applications open in February
  • Fall Quarter Housing applications open in May

Disciplines

Courseload

Students who participate in an SU-Sponsored, SU-Exchange, or Non-SU program must be fully enrolled at their host university/program provider. Full-time enrollment on a semester-length program is typically 15 US semester credits (not quarter credits) or 30 ECTS credits.

Note: Not all programs/host universities provide syllabi prior to the start of classes. Some may have samples of past syllabi but cannot guarantee that a specific course will be offered during the student's time abroad.

  • Credit Range: 5
  • Credit System: Quarter Credits
  • Typical Course load: 1
  • Credit Per Course: 5

Credit Conversion

  • Transcript Issued By: Seattle University
  • Credit Conversion Rate: 1 Quarter Credit = 1 Quarter Credit
  • Quarter Range: 5

Academic Policy & Minimum Grade Requirement:

  • Student will receive transfer credit for their study abroad program and academic grades will not be reflected on their Seattle University transcript and will not be reflected in the Seattle University GPA nor honors calculations.
  • For all undergraduate programs, courses accepted in transfer are graded at least a C- when letter grades are issued and at least a 1.5 on the decimal grading system. Courses graded D+ or lower (1.5) will not be allowed either for transfer credit or to fulfill degree requirements.
  • Students in the College of Nursing, the College of Science and Engineering, and communication and psychology majors in the College of Arts and Sciences will be required to repeat courses graded lower than C (2.0) if the course is a major requirement or if it is a prerequisite to a major requirement.
  • Students in the Albers School of Business and Economics must complete required business courses (including mathematics, economics & accounting) with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Transfer Credits

Letter grades received on this program will not transfer to SU nor factor into Seattle University GPA. If students receive the minimum grade required, credits will transfer toward their Seattle University degree as approved through the required pre-departure Course Approval process. Minimum grade details will be specified during Course Approval for each course taken abroad.

Placeholder Course

The Education Abroad Office will enroll students in a 12-credit placeholder course per term that you are abroad so that students maintain full-time student status and are billed properly. This placeholder course will be replaced by the courses taken abroad upon successful completion and receipt of official transcript.

Program Fees

Program fees are subject to change and based on previous year's tuition, if future tuition rates are not available yet. The purpose of the budget worksheets is to provide an estimate of how much studying abroad is going to cost. Actual spending may vary.

Fees not specified

Requesting a Financial Aid Estimate

Student Financial Aid allows students to request a financial aid estimate when planning an education abroad experience. Students can bring the completed worksheet of your preferred program to a meeting with a Student Financial Aid Counselor.

Budget Worksheets

Participation Costs

For Faculty-Led Short Term programs, you will be billed Seattle University (1) Summer Tuition, (2) Technology Fee, (3) Wellness Fee, (4) Global Medical Insurance, and (5) Program Fee for the term abroad. Consult the Budget Worksheet for a breakdown of estimate additional expenses and discuss applicable financial aid with Student Financial Services.

Payment

For Faculty-Led Short Term programs, you will pay your Seattle University bill through your MySeattleU Student Account for the term(s) you are abroad. In addition to a 1-3 credit Spring Quarter course, you will enroll in and be billed Seattle University tuition for a 2-4 credit summer course at the discounted summer rate. The remaining program fee that will be charged to student account once enrolled in the associated course(s), charged during Summer Quarter. Often includes most in-country expenses. Payment deadlines align with Seattle University’s quarterly deadlines and you can sign-up for a payment plan as usual. Consult the Budget Worksheet for a breakdown of estimate additional expenses.

Insurance

When you participate in an Faculty-Led Short Term program at Seattle University, you are enrolled in comprehensive travel and global medical insurance through On-Call International for the duration of your program. Seattle University bills the insurance cost to your MySeattleU account.

Scholarships

There are many study abroad scholarships for all program types. The application process may be easier than you think, but planning ahead is key. Deadlines are often 6-8 months in advance of departure. Check out the Scholarship section of Seattle University Education Abroad website for more information on scholarships and how to apply.

Student Journey

Approximate TimelinePhaseMore details
Sept-JanExplorationStudents will work with Education Abroad and various supporters (family, academic advisor, etc.) to find a program that best fits student's academic, personal, and professional goals.
Feb 1ApplyStudents will have the opportunity to apply to SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs during next academic year in the Fall around November. The hard deadline is February 1st.
Late Feb/Early MarNominationsEducation Abroad Office will nominate selected students for SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs.
Mar-May (Fall)
Sept-Dec (Winter)
Jan-March (Spring)
PreparationStudents will complete secondary applications for program providers/host university in preparation of going abroad. Additional preparatory steps include pre-departure orientation, courses approvals, Health Check, Visa application, planning housing arrangements (abroad & Seattle), immunizations, etc.

Application Steps

  1. Contact Sean McDowell (mcdowell@seattleu.edu) for application steps and deadline.
  2. For Short-Term Faculty Led programs, you will be enrolled in a Spring Course (1-3 credits) on-campus for pre-departure preparation and a Summer Course (2-4 credits) for immersive academic content abroad. Undergraduate students will receive institutional aid to fully offset the summer tuition for these programs.
  3. Questions? Email Sean McDowell (mcdowell@seattleu.edu)

If you haven’t joined the Education Abroad Canvas Course yet, Join Now!

Climate

  • Spring: Cool and wet, with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 15°C (46°F to 59°F). Spring brings blooming flowers, but frequent rain showers, so an umbrella is a must.
  • Summer: Mild with occasional rain, temperatures between 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F). A good time for outdoor activities, but always be prepared for sudden changes in weather.
  • Autumn: Cool and rainy, with temperatures from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). The fall foliage and traditional festivals make this a picturesque season.
  • Winter: Cold and damp, with temperatures from 0°C to 8°C (32°F to 46°F). Snow is rare but can occur, especially in higher elevations.

Travel Resources

  • Air: Ireland is served by major airports in Dublin, Shannon, and Cork. Dublin Airport is the main hub for international flights. For more information, visit Dublin Airport.
  • Train: Irish Rail provides service between major cities and towns, offering a scenic way to explore the country. For schedules, visit Irish Rail.
  • Public Transport: Cities like Dublin and Cork offer public buses and trams. For more details, visit Public Transport in Ireland.

Cultural Resources

  • Historical Sites: Ireland boasts iconic landmarks such as the Cliffs of Moher, Trinity College (home of the Book of Kells), and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
  • Language: English is widely spoken, but Irish (Gaelic) is also an official language, especially in rural areas.
  • Festivals: Ireland is famous for its vibrant festivals, including St. Patrick's Day, the Galway Arts Festival, and Bloomsday, celebrating James Joyce’s Ulysses.

Food & Diet

  • Cuisine: Traditional Irish dishes include hearty stews, soda bread, and seafood. Local pubs offer an authentic taste of Irish comfort food.
  • Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and vegan options are becoming more common, particularly in cities and tourist areas.

Embassy/Consulate

  • U.S. Embassy in Dublin: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (Phone: +353 1 668 8777)

Identity-Specific Considerations

  • Accessibility: Ireland has made significant progress in improving accessibility, especially in newer buildings and public transportation. However, rural areas may present challenges. For more information, visit Ireland’s Accessibility Guide.
  • LGBTQ+: Ireland is progressive in its legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, having legalized same-sex marriage in 2015. Major cities are LGBTQ+ friendly, with events like Dublin Pride widely celebrated.
  • Religion: Ireland is predominantly Roman Catholic, but secularism is on the rise, and the country embraces religious diversity, with growing Protestant, Muslim, and non-religious communities.
  • Race & Ethnicity: Ireland has become increasingly diverse due to immigration, though racial minorities may occasionally face discrimination, particularly outside urban areas.
  • Gender: Ireland has strong legal protections for gender equality, with increasing female representation in leadership, though disparities in pay and traditional gender norms persist.

Visa Requirements

What is a Visa?

A visa is a permission granted by a country that allows foreign nationals to enter and reside there temporarily. Applicants typically need to provide documentation such as an acceptance letter from the educational institution, proof of financial means, and health insurance. Student visas come with specific regulations regarding work rights, travel restrictions, and duration of stay, varying by country.

Below is a brief overview of the current visa requirements for your program. Note that countries may amend visa requirements at any time, so it will be important to follow all instructions given by the Irish Government.

U.S. passport holders are not required to obtain a student visa before studying abroad for programs shorter than 90 days in Ireland (Non-U.S. citizens should consult their respective consulates. Seattle University's Education Abroad can provide additional supporting visa application documents for Non-U.S. citizens, if applicable; however, the decision to grant admission into the country is not in Seattle University's control.) Keep in mind that entry requirements are specific to the length of your stay, citizenship, and the type of activities you will be engaged in. It is your responsibility to determine specific entry requirements and stipulations prior to the start of your program.


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