USAC IRELAND: Galway - Irish Studies

Galway as a city was perfect in almost every regard: culturally rich, not too crowded, plenty of regular fun stuff to do. I couldn’t imagine better program advisors, they made most of the trip what it was. Finally, every excursion out to different parts of Ireland like the Cliffs of Moher or the Aran Islands was incredible.

Studying in Galway was an experience like no other I had ever had (especially academic wise). I primarily went to study literature but felt fully immersed in the history and culture of this amazing place. All staff was very accommodating and made sure our experience as students was great.

Going to Galway, Ireland was the best choice in studying aboard! When I was trying to find what country I wanted to go to, I saw Galway, Ireland and classes they had. The classes that they offered were so interesting!

My experience studying in Galway with USAC was seriously incredible. Everything was very organized, and the USAC staff are extremely helpful. I would recommend studying abroad to anybody, it’s a life changing experience.

I can't say enough good things about the USAC Galway program. Galway quickly became my favorite city I had ever visited. You get the perfect mix of a busy city, yet you're still surrounded by nature. There is so much to do between downtown, Salthill, campus, and surrounding areas. And Irish culture truly is everywhere in Galway, with the music on the streets, the Irish speaking areas nearby, and the summer festivals. University of Galway is a great campus and a great location. We stayed in Goldcrest Village, and I was blown away at how nice our dorms were! I took the Gaelic class and the Irish Music class and loved both of them. The course load is on the heavier side, but the material is really interesting and my teachers were great. There was a nice mix of learning inside the classroom paired with field trips and workshops. It was so special getting to learn about the culture while being immersed in it at the same time. The group flight that USAC offered was a big draw for me and it made the travel days so much easier. I loved that the program began in Dublin, not only for the sightseeing, but also for the chance to get to know the group before we even moved into Galway. It was a tiring 3 days with the time change, but very worth it. The field trips to Connemara and the Aran Islands were some of the biggest highlights of the trip for me and I have such wonderful memories from them. Overall, I was really impressed at how well the program was planned out and I felt like everything went really smoothly. I can't recommend this program more. I was pretty nervous going into it, but I knew as soon as I got on the plane that that was where I was meant to be. Everyone there was so nice and I felt like our whole program was one big group of friends. The personal growth, memories, and connections you get from studying abroad are priceless.

I honestly cannot recommend this program enough... if you're reading this, APPLY TO A PROGRAM!!! I was wary at first due to potential costs, paperwork, etc. I thought, "I could never study abroad, I wouldn't know anyone, I couldn't pay for the program." However, I took my time, committed to paperwork, and found that USAC was really understanding and patient about my financial setbacks. I spent 5 weeks in Ireland where I found myself amongst a group of such friendly people and our program director was amazing. Everyone was so attentive, and our visiting professors were so kind. I could categorize my life experiences into two sections: Before I Went to Ireland, and After I Went to Ireland, because this experience truly changed me. I lived with three other girls, and we spent our days doing homework, going to get pub chips in the afternoon, walking around town, and making dinner for one another. I haven't made friends so quickly before, and I am still in contact with them despite living in different parts of the country now. Some of the girls and I are planning an annual trip to return to Ireland this summer because we really found an amazing temporary home there. The visiting professors came from across Ireland and it made me feel so lucky for their commitment to travel and educate us. Outside of the program, we met so many amazing people from around the world, and it led me to lifelong friendships with friends from Germany and Ireland, who I have since visited long after the program ended. This program gave me the confidence that travel like this is 100% possible, and I have permanently moved to Germany (a week ago!) and I definitely would not have done this before this trip. You absolutely must apply, there's no time like the present. This could change your life! I'm serious!

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I studied abroad in Galway, Ireland in the Summer of 2023. It was such an amazing experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. I was able to leave the country for the first time and be immersed in the culture. The USAC staff supported me on every step of the way, but I still felt like I had freedom to explore on my own as well. I made amazing friends from my program and we would adventure throughout Galway. It is a beautiful city and by spending five weeks there I was able to truly get to know the ins and outs. I got to watch live traditional Irish music in a pub, as well as go on field trips to the beautiful Aran Islands and Connemara. Studying abroad helped me push myself and grow as a person and I can't wait to visit Ireland again!

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My time in Galway is something I will look back on the rest of my life and be incredibly thankful for. Not only did I make friends that will last a lifetime, but I went places that I could only dreamed of visiting. Ireland is the most magical place, and it was the best introduction to being abroad for my very first time. The orientation director, Mark, helped me every step of the way and made it feel like home. He even came and fixed our water heater several times when the hot water was not working. I am just forever in awe of how little ‘ole me from a small time got to take the adventure of a lifetime across the ocean.

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I had a wonderful time on this study abroad program. The classes, housing, instructors, orientation, everything was great. It's a great place to study in a beautiful country and the opportunities outside the classroom were so much fun. Don't skip the day trips and do the Dublin tour at the beginning. The Dublin tour really gives you a good opportunity to get to know people early and makes your classes much more fun. Along with that, if you're going with someone you know, be sure to spend time with other people too. I highly recommend walking to Menlo Castle across the river.

I cannot recommend the USAC Galway program enough!!! The people who run this program love this program and it shows! There were field trips planned with classes almost every weekend, so we got to see stunning parts of the country and learn about Irish culture in the place that it happened. We hiked through the iconic Connemara landscape, saw the famine roads carved into the hillsides, and read Yeats in Coole Park. I got to see every part of Ireland that I had planned on visiting on my own, but instead with professors who love what they teach and were passionate about teaching us all about these places. This program is absolutely worth it; I got to see hidden gems of Ireland that I would never have been able to find on my own!

I took it on myself to contact usac about working the fleadh film festival. They got me in touch with someone who had previously worked it. From there it was a very easy process. I met with Jim and oriel who gave me my schedule and times I’d work. Through this festival I worked basic tasks such as ticket holder and line assister. The best part was meeting the Irish. I made some life long friends who still check in on me to this day. I got to learn from other Irish students my age as well as some older volunteers who remember the big war for independence(super cool learning from them). It was amazing.

I took it on myself to contact usac about working the fleadh film festival. They got me in touch with someone who had previously worked it. From there it was a very easy process. I met with Jim and oriel who gave me my schedule and times I’d work. Through this festival I worked basic tasks such as ticket holder and line assister. The best part was meeting the Irish. I made some life long friends who still check in on me to this day. I got to learn from other Irish students my age as well as some older volunteers who remember the big war for independence(super cool learning from them). It was amazing.

I specifically picked Ireland because of my passion for ecology and Ireland is known for their stunning landscapes. Unfortunately, at the time I went Ireland was in a huge drought and it showed in its physical appearance, however this did allow me to see the effects of climate change first hand. In addition to this, I was able to learn about the world from a perspective other than an American perspective. I became familiar with problems that Americans would never hear about like the political unrest and violence that has and continues to plague Ireland and the effects that Brexit has on the Europe and the rest of the world. In addition to all that I learned, I was able to go to a film fleadh, viewed historic landmarks such as the cliffs of Moher, landmarks from the famine, the book of Kells, the Guinness factory, and much more. There was even one weekend I was able to travel to London and experience a different side of Europe. In addition to that, the staff and the professors were outstanding. From picking us at the airport to helping us navigate the country to the emotional support we received, helped shape my program. I never felt unsupported and knew they were always eager to help us with anything. The only regret I have about the program is I wish I could have stayed longer.

I spent 7 weeks in Ireland over Summer 2017 and loved every moment! Five of those weeks were spent in classes at the University of Ireland- Galway taught by USAC employees. I learned a ton of Irish history and even how to hold a brief conversation in the Irish language! I felt very safe traveling around Ireland and was awestruck by all the beauty!