Summer Program | National University of Ireland | College Study Abroad in Galway

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Summer Programs Essential Info

National University of Ireland, Galway

Required GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale)
Length of program: June-July
Application deadline: April 1
Program advisor: Meghan Cross

Program Snapshot

Cead Mile Failte! We're so excited that you're considering IFSA-Butler's program at the National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway for your summer abroad. We're sure you're going to love studying there!

There are a few specific forms for this program that you will need to complete along with your IFSA-Butler application. You can find the forms under the Forms tab.

What the NUI Galway summer program has to offer

Location in one of Europe's fastest-growing urban areas
A traditional and authentically Irish environment
Courses that focus on Irish history, film, archaeology, art, music and culture
A friendly and flexible campus
Excursions to complement course work
Sports facilities, shops, restaurants, bookstore and travel office

Housing

Modern student apartment within walking distance of the campus
Housing is self catering, with kitchens available for student use

Academics

Students take two courses worth 3 U.S. semester credit hours each
Courses are based in the humanities with an emphasis on Irish studies

We look forward to working with you!

Academics

Courses

Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?
Open the NUI summer online course catalog.

What courses am I eligible to take?
You must take courses listed in the Irish Studies summer program. The full list of courses is available via the online course catalog link above.

What if I need to take a required course?
Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your course preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.

Course Restrictions

Only courses listed in the Irish Studies summer program are available.

Credits

How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?
IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution, which is two courses for the summer. You will receive 3 U.S. credits for each course for a total of 6 U.S. credits for the summer.

Registration

What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full NUI, Galway course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A–F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

The course preference form is not a registration form; it is a guideline to let your host university know which courses you are interested in taking abroad. You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution.

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?
Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university’s policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting a grade query or academic follow-up for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at NUI, Galway. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?
You will live at Gort na Coiribe in a single room.

Gort na Coiribe is within walking distance of the NUI, Galway campus and the center of Galway city. Each self-catering flat/apartment accommodates five to six students. You will share bathroom, kitchen facilities and living/dining areas. Kitchens are fully equipped with cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery.

You must supply your own linens (sheets and towels), which can be purchased upon arrival in Ireland. Duvets and pillows will be provided. There are phones for incoming calls in every bedroom. There are also public pay phones located onsite. (See your Preparing to Study Abroad guide for information about telephone services in Ireland.)

Rooms are equipped with Internet connections, a free service. You must speak to the on-site staff when you have moved in to get your Internet connection set up. If you bring a laptop, insure it before you go.

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Meals

No meal plans are provided. Students will be responsible for purchasing and preparing their own meals in shared kitchens.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session. You will be responsible for the cost of your meals and any commuting costs you may incur.

When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in Ireland for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
No. Summer students are not required to pay a housing deposit.

Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you’ve made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing May 1 for summer programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after this date.

Location Info

Living and Studying Abroad in Galway, Ireland

About Galway
Population: 73,000
Location: In the west, along Galway Bay

City features

One of Europe's fastest-growing urban areas
Offers a vibrant and diverse population, yet retains a quaint, small-town feel
Open-air markets, museums, shops and restaurants add to Galway’s appeal
Students account for nearly 15 percent of the city’s population
A thriving college town with a hip music and pub scene
A great place to soak up traditional Irish culture, including two Irish-speaking theatres
A Gaeltacht with the highest percentage of Irish speakers in Ireland

Do more!

Take advantage of local opportunities for fishing, golf and riding
Travel to Connemara and other parts of the Gaeltacht
Explore the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands

Links
Connemara.net
Galway.net
Galway News

Dates & Fees

Program Dates

Dates for summer 2012 coming soon!
Click here to view our full summer program calendars.

Program Fees

Fees for summer 2012 coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of summer program fees.
What's included in our summer program fees
Expense calculator

Personal Cost Estimates

Personal cost estimates for summer 2012 coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of summer personal cost estimates.
Expense calculator

Forms

To apply to the National University of Ireland, Galway summer program, use our easy online application.

Applicants to the National University of Ireland, Galway summer program must complete additional forms as part of the application process:

We must receive these forms before we can send your application to the National University of Ireland, Galway for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.

If you have already started an application to the National University of Ireland, Galway summer program, you can track which forms IFSA-Butler has received by logging into the student portal.

Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in Ireland:

meghan

Program Advisor Meghan Cross assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Meghan can be reached at the email link above or at 800-940-0229, ext. 4229. After studying abroad twice (once on an IFSA-Butler program), Meghan graduated and came to work for IFSA-Butler. She currently acts as a program advisor for English-speaking programs and focuses on advising students studying in England, Ireland and Wales.

alt Student Accounts Coordinator Angelita Shaffer assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Angelita can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4221.

alt Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office in Dublin. Click here to read more about Resident Director Dr. Tim Conway.

paige Upon return from your study abroad program, Academic Affairs Coordinator Paige Ward processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Paige graduated from Butler University, and she studied abroad for a semester in Paris, Belfast, London and the English Lake District. Studying abroad for Paige was an eye-opening and knowledge-gaining experience, and she is excited to work with students who are looking for the same. Paige can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4254.

Get Connected

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Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program. Check out the following:
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Student Blogs
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