Study Abroad

Study Irish Gaelic in Connemara, Ireland, with the Lehman College Study Abroad Group

Mid-July to Mid-August.
E-mail: irish.studies@lehman.cuny.edu to express interest.

Connemara, County Galway, is a place of wild beauty. On the west coast of Ireland, north of the Aran Islands, lies the village of An Cheathrú Rua. The village is an important rural center in the Connemara Irish-speaking region. Buffered on all sides by other Irish-speaking areas, mountains, and water, An Cheathrú Rua exists in a region where the Irish language continues to be the community language spoken in homes and in shops. An Cheathrú Rua has several beaches that serve the village including a coral beach know as "Trá an Dóilín."

The National University of Ireland, founded in 1845, serves over 15,000 students. Its "Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge" (Irish Language University Academy) serves native Irish speakers and students of Irish at satellite campuses in different Irish-language villages. The Irish language classes will be held at the An Cheathrú Rua facility which is called "Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain"(The Máirtín Ó Cadhain Building). Students live in local Irish speaking homes and receive their meals there as well. In addition to Irish language classes, students will also be able to participate in social activities and cultural lectures.

• Elementary Irish 1&2 (6 undergraduate credits) OR
• Intermediate Irish 1&2 (6 undergraduate credits) OR
• Advanced Irish 1&2 (6 undergraduate credits)
• Program Dates: Mid-July to Mid-August
• Eligibility Requirement: 2.75 GPA or better
• Basic Program Cost: 2490 Euro
• Costs include:
  • Tuition for 6 undergraduate credits
  • Housing (sharing) and three meals per day
  • Orientation and program activities
  • Social/cultural program
  • Transportation from Galway City to An Cheathrú Rua on first day
  • Transportation from An Cheathrú Rua to Galway City on last day
  • Costs do not include
  • International airfare ($800 approx.)
  • Personal spending money
  • Health and accident insurance ($130 approx. - required)
  • Local transportation to and from airport to Galway City ($30 approx.)

Two students from the Lehman group are granted Gaeltacht Summer Awards funded by the Irish Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht supported by the Fulbright Commission in Ireland. Contact irish.studies@lehman.cuny.edu to express interest in the Gaeltacht Summer Awards. Last year, these awards cover tuition, housing, and meals up to 2,000 Euro. The two CUNY awards are only open to students who have completed Irish language study with a CUNY instructor. The deadline for the Gaeltacht Summer Awards is February 15th. All others wishing to travel to Galway, Ireland, with the CUNY group must apply by April 15th.

The Gaeltacht Summer Awards have been generously funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Irish National Lottery supported by the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange (Fulbright Commission) .

To Apply: To join the Lehman College group traveling to Ireland, e-mail irish.studies@lehman.cuny.edu indicating your interest, and then visit the Irish Language Program website at www.lehmangaeilge.org for the application forms as well as forms for the "Gaeltacht Summer Awards".

Prof. Thomas Ihde
Chair
Department of Languages and Literatures
Lehman College, CUNY
250 Bedford Park Blvd. West
Bronx, NY 10468