Journey to Ireland’s northern counties for 8 days over Spring Break!
Explore the stories of survival, beauty, conflict, and resolution found in Dublin, Derry, and the “forgotten county” of Donegal. Using the dual lens of literature (ENGL 102 or ENGL 250) and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (ENVS 275), we will delve into this land’s complex history while walking its green hills, craggy shorelines, and bustling town streets. Join us for the chance to study a place where writers, musicians, and community members give voice to social justice issues, and sometime make “hope and history rhyme”!
Dates
- Registration: November & December 2025
(early registration is recommended) - Coursework: First 10 weeks of the semester
- ENGL250 Field Studies in Literature (SUNY Humanities) or ENGL102 Approaches to Literature - Independent Study (SUNY Humanities and DEISJ)
- ENVS275 Global Sustainable Development (SUNY Social Science and DEISJ)
- Trip: Spring Break 2026! Saturday, March 14 - Saturday, March 21.
Requirements
- Open to all disciplines.
- Pre-requisite: ENGL101 is a prerequisite for ENGL102, but waivers may be issued if students are taking concurrently.
- Language Requirements: None.
- GPA Requirements: Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Travel Fee: Approximately $3,800 (exact fee to be determined)
- Fee includes airfare, in-country transportation, lodging, most meals (students will be responsible for some lunches), entrance fees.
- Fee does not include passport fees, any vaccinations needed, personal spending money, tuition (included in fall course load), and any applicable baggage handling fees imposed by the airline or entry/exit fees.
What to expect in Ireland
- Students will often be outside in inclement weather.
- There will be a good deal of walking in both urban and rural settings.
- Students will share rooms and spend considerable time participating in group travel and activities.
- Buildings in Ireland are not required to comply with ADA standards.
How LGBTQ+ friendly is this country?
Travelers who identify as queer, questioning, intersex or asexual) will general Travelers who identify as LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, as well as anyone who ly enjoy a hassle-free and welcoming time in Ireland. While homosexuality was only decriminalized in Ireland in 1993, a lot has been done in the decades since to acknowledge, accept, and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ people in most major cities including Dublin, Belfast, and Galway. Along with this acceptance, most forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation are now illegal and have been since the 2010s. Source: https://www.intrepidtravel.com
Students identifying as LGBTQIA+ are encouraged to independently research the safety of this or any destination to which they are considering travel.
Do you have significant mobility issues?
The travel portion of this course would be difficult for someone with significant mobility issues. We encourage those with mobility issues to research travel in Ireland and to discuss the accessibly of accommodations, transportation and day-to-day destinations with faculty leaders before enrolling in the course.
Faculty Trip Leaders
Kerry Curran
Associate Professor of English
Email Kerry: kec@tc3.edu
Angela Palumbo
Associate Professor of ESL
Email Angela: am1@tc3.edu
What do students say about this trip?
"This trip was incredibly eye-opening and world expanding for me. I had the privilege to witness beautiful landscapes, fascinating history, and not least of all some quality meals- seriously, all the food I had in Ireland was incredibly filling and satisfying- they feed you well, which means I always had enough energy to enjoy the activities of the day: whether that meant learning about Irish history/language/ecology, hiking up cliff trails, or touring through the towns and countryside. It was an incredibly transformative experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone who's never been." – Calum
“I would say that the Ireland trip was one that was life-changing; my perspective on relationships with others and the earth turned into something more harmonious than I ever anticipated and that very much echoes into my everyday life and work til this day." – Oliver
"Ireland was truly an unforgettable experience that never failed to amaze me and will be something I cherish and look back on forever!" – Brooklyn ☘️
"TC3's Stories of the Border Counties Ireland study abroad is a truly eye-opening experience that gave me the chance to learn more about Irish history, culture, politics, and connection the environment. Studying these in depth and then finishing it off with an incredibly immersive trip was a fantastic way to learn, travel, make new friends!" – Alexa
“This trip was really eye opening for me. The fact that a nation in do much turmoil can advance so far in only a few decades really gives you hope for the future. This also gives you the opportunity to compare the policies and cultures of three different nations directly as there's an obvious difference between cities in the Republic and Northern Ireland. If you're an ethnic minority there's an opportunity to explore intersectionality and maybe feel some solidarity as in my personal experience, I did not feel the same scorn or suspicion in Ireland as I often do in America. I understood some of the reasons why when I learned the specifics of Irelands own civil rights movements and struggles against the British Empire as they Irish themselves were viewed as an inferior people." – Brighton
Pre-Departure Forms
Instructions are printed on each form. Global Initiatives Staff can answer your questions by email at global@tompkinscortland.edu or in person in room 248.
- Academic Reference
- Acceptance of Risk
- Application, Foundation Scholarship Application, and Financial Commitment
- Applicant Criteria & Eligibility
- Disclosure of Travel Fee Payment Sources
- Confidential Personal Reference
- Student Health Information
- Checklist & Due Dates - Ireland
- Checklist & Due Dates - Dominican Republic
- Study Abroad Conduct
Study Abroad FAQs
How do I get started?
- Meet with your academic advisor early to talk about where study abroad fits best in your academic program.
- Meet with a faculty trip leader for details on the course and the trip; Learn about the enrollment process. Faculty determine that process and the criteria for admitting students into their study abroad courses, so this is a very important step!
- Make an appointment with Financial Aid, room 101 as soon as you have been admitted to a program or to find out if aid will cover any of the travel fee.
- Apply for your passport (it takes several months).
- Register for the appropriate course. Enroll in November for spring courses, in April for fall courses.
- Begin to save your money and explore scholarship options.
- Submit all pre-departure documents and payments ON TIME and
- Attend mandatory Pre-Departure Orientations
What if I want to travel to a country where TC3 does not have a program? Or, what if I want to study different subject matter than what is available at TC3 when I study abroad?
Explore programs offered through other SUNY campuses. (This list may not be up to date, so we encourage you to go directly to the specific SUNY college’s study abroad page for the latest information.)
Also, TC3 has an exchange partnership with SUNY Cortland, so TC3 students can explore SUNY Cortland’s more than 30 study abroad programs on six continents. For more information on their current opportunities, visit the SUNY Cortland study abroad website.
Can a community member, TC3 employee, or non-matriculated student participate in Study Abroad?
See individual trip descriptions below for the contact information of the faculty leaders of the trip that interests you, and contact them directly.
What are some ways I can fund my study abroad experience?
The Tompkins Cortland Foundation’s Study Abroad Scholarship was established to support the mission of the College to graduate globally aware citizens by lessening the financial burden for students wishing to participate in study abroad opportunities. Recipients “must be enrolled in an appropriate study abroad course and be in good academic standing with the College.” Please note that this award does not cover the entire travel fee but typically offers a few hundred dollars. Priority is given to students with financial need. To apply, simply be admitted to a study abroad course and follow the instructions for being considered for a Foundation Scholarship within the study abroad application. Be sure to submit all required elements by the announced deadline in order to be considered.
The Gilman Scholarship — The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. This program requires more advance planning and a little more work but winners tend to see a generous return of their time and effort.
Other funding opportunities
- Fund for Education Abroad — “They are helping to make life-changing, international experiences accessible to all by supporting minority and first-generation college students.”
- Diverse International Women of Color Scholarship
- AIFS Abroad Scholarships
- Gilman-McCain Scholarship, for active military families
- IFSA-Butler, for first-generation and minority student scholarship opportunities
- Asian Institute
- Institute for International Education
- Numerous opportunities to explore