Imagine climbing the steps of castle ruins and cathedrals, rich in history dating back to the Middle Ages. Strolling by bright green pastures along the riverbank, surrounded by rolling hills in the distance. Visiting landmarks where humans have lived for the last 5,000 years.
None of these amenities are available here in Collegeville, but they are available to Ursinus students.
This past summer, Ursinus proudly announced its partnership with the University of Limerick (UL), beginning Ursinus’s very first study abroad program located in Ireland. The school has now housed several Ursinus students, including Hannah Quinn ‘27, who arrived in Limerick at the end of August to begin her fall semester abroad.
“I think I’m getting a really rich experience in my studies in Ireland,” said Quinn. “It’s a part of Ireland that isn’t a huge touristy area, so I’m getting to experience what Irish culture is like without all of the bells and whistles that you might see in a city like Dublin or Belfast… I think I’m getting a lot more of an authentic experience.”
The University of Limerick, which sits near Ireland’s western coast, has had its doors open since 1989 and is home to over 18,000 students, making it one of Ireland’s largest universities. According to Ursinus associate professor and assistant dean Johannes Karreth, “[UL] offers a wide variety of courses that seamlessly fit into the course plans for our students’ majors and minors.”
Quinn said, “Some of my most memorable experiences so far have been traveling to the countryside and seeing the different areas along the coastline… I enjoy every second of watching the fields and the cows and the sheep, and there’s always a rainbow so every single time I go.”
When asked if she felt she was getting a unique learning experience in Ireland, Quinn, who is majoring in politics, explained that the ability to compare the US and Ireland has been a valuable experience.
“It’s interesting to compare how we [historically] differ, but how we’re similar and as such an old country, [Ireland has] a lot of really rich traditions, and the people here take a lot of pride… specifically in their music and dance and even clothing.”
As for the academic portion of study abroad, Quinn, who also studies statistics, highlighted UL’s variety of courses and accessibility for STEM students as two of the program’s many bright spots.
“I think a lot of the time students that are studying biology or mathematics might have a hard time finding a university abroad that could fulfill all of the requirements… but here I find… everybody’s able to get the same quality of education throughout their classes while abroad, which I think is sometimes rare with the partnerships abroad that we have.”
Although Quinn has only been abroad for about two months, she has high praise for UL and encourages fellow Ursinus students to consider the program. “I 100% recommend Ireland for the culture and the beauty but in an academic sense, I’d tell STEM students to check it out and look at the courses offered… if they’re thinking that the semester abroad isn’t possible, maybe Limerick might be an option.”
For those who are interested in learning more about the exchange program in Ireland, be sure to contact Ursinus’s Center for International Programs and be on the lookout for upcoming study abroad info sessions this month. The last available info session will be held on November 25th, so do not hesitate to contact abroad@ursinus.edu to learn more about the advising and application process.