study abroad in Ireland with IFSA
Galway
, Ireland

University of Galway Summer: Ecology

Program Overview

From the fertile rocks of the Burren karst limestone, to the raised bogs of the midlands, to the sheer cliffs of the Aran Islands, Ireland’s Atlantic West Coast is a stunning place to learn survey skills as you delve into sustainability and conservation.

This is an ideal opportunity for students majoring in ecology, environmental science, geography, botany, zoology, natural history, or natural heritage.

The University of Galway (Ollscoil na Gaillimhe) was previous known as the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Summer: April 1

Minimum GPA

3.00

Credit load

6

Housing

Apartment/Flat

Instruction language

English

Prerequisites

None

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Academics

The University of Galway’s “Living Landscapes in the West of Ireland” summer program offers students an intensive, field-based experience in the natural environments found in and around Galway.  

County Galway, on Ireland’s Atlantic West Coast is a land of contrasts. Influenced by its oceanic climate, glacial history, hydrology, geology, and human habitation, it has developed a variety of beautiful landscapes with unique and fascinating habitats and species. From the fertile rocks of the Burren karst limestone, to the raised bogs of the midlands, the sheer cliffs of the Aran Islands to the salt marshes of Galway Bay, there is a wealth of natural history to explore. 

All students enroll in the same course, for which you will earn 6 U.S. semester credit hours. Through a multi-disciplinary approach to studying ecology, you will engage with all aspects of how these ecosystems are created and maintained through natural processes and anthropogenic activity. You will also consider conservation and sustainability issues and how a sound understanding of these ecological processes is used to combat the challenges facing the environment. 

You must be pursuing a major or minor in one of the following areas of study: ecology, environmental science, geography, botany, zoology, natural history, or natural heritage.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
  • You must have completed at least one (1) year of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
  • You must be pursuing a major or minor in one of the following areas of study: ecology, environmental science, geography, botany, zoology, natural history, or natural heritage. 

Recommendation Letter
Not required.

Visa & Residence Permit Requirements

  • A visa is not required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
  • A visa may be required if you are a citizen of another country.
  • A resident permit is not required for this program.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects courses taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are examples from previous terms; outings may be different for your program. We’ll make every effort to run them all, but sometimes things we can’t our control, such as local regulations and health protocols, get in the way. As result, we cannot guarantee activities and excursions.

  • Walking Tour of the Historic City Lanes: Lead by a local guide, walk from the Spanish Arch, through the lanes of the old city to Eyre Square, and learn of the medieval roots, dramatic family feuds and ties of the City of the Tribes, the spooky and the quirky, to end with the wider global political links that Galway has from the central park of Eyre Square.
  • Gaelic Games Experience: Ireland has wonderful national Gaelic games such as hurling, Gaelic football, handball, and camogie.  These are ancient sports that are not widely known outside of the country.  Experience the opportunity to try these games and play with coaches from local teams.
  • A Gaelic Match! Another option is to go to a local match at Pearse Stadium Located just outside the center of the city, walk to the game with the local supporters taking in the atmosphere. Watch your local team, Galway, play the incredibly quick and skillful sports of Gaelic football or hurling and cheer for a win.
  • Stand-up Comedy Show or Theatrical Play: Galway is known as a city of culture and plays host to a festival each month throughout the year. Many of these are film, food, or theater festivals with the city known as a place where comedians come to try out new material on discerning audiences. Take part in one of these activities to get a flavor of local culture and a perspective on life in Ireland that you won’t get anywhere else.
  • Day Trip to Connemara and Kylemore Abbey: This bus tour of the wilds of Connemara is a must for anyone living in Galway. See the impressive and rugged landscape along with the most gorgeous scenery of the west coast. The bus stops at Kylemore Abbey and gardens for a tour of the majestic yet intensely rural castle and Benedictine monastery built in the early 1920s on the banks of the Pollacapal Lough.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat

Meals

Self-Catering

Details

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

Dates and Fees

Term

Term begins

Term ends

Program costs

Application deadline

Summer 2023

June 17, 2023

July 11, 2023

$7,095

April 1

Term

Summer 2023

Term begins

June 17, 2023

Term ends

July 11, 2023

Program costs

$7,095

Application deadline

April 1

Get started

Vineeta Chauhan

Vineeta Chauhan

Admissions Counselor

Zipporah Gaines

Zipporah Gaines

Prearrival Counselor

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