Irish Exchange Program
Exchange Program with Northern Ireland
Centre students who study abroad in Northern Ireland may choose to enroll in either a semester or year-long program.
Students studying in Northern Ireland often attend Saint Patrick's Day parades, where, like Mariel Smith '11 (who took
the photo above), they are entertained with extraordinary acts.
The Irish-American Scholars Program, sponsored by The Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, The United Methodist Church, and the Roman Catholic Church, allows two or three Centre students (juniors or seniors) to study abroad in Northern Ireland for either one semester or a full year. Participating students are placed in one of the following universities: Queen's University, University of Ulster, Belfast Metropolitan College, Stranmillis University, or St. Mary's University College.
Participating Institutions
Queens University Belfast is one of the 20 top research-intensive institutions in the United Kingdom. While the university does not offer courses in all disciplines, most U.S. students will find appropriate subjects at Queens University. www.qub.ac.uk
The University of Ulster has a national and international reputation for excellence. With four distinct campuses across Northern Ireland, students are placed at a specific campus based on their field of study. www.ulster.ac.uk
St. Mary's University College specializes in liberal arts and teacher training, and is integrated into the larger Queen's University system. In 2011, St. Mary's was ranked third amongst all universities in the United Kingdom for student satisfaction with their overall university experience. www.stmarys-belfast.ac.uk/
Stranmillis University College is highly recognized for its teacher training curriculum, but also offers courses in early childhood and health and leisure studies. Stranmillis is a college within the system of Queen's University Belfast. http://www.stran.ac.uk/
Belfast Metropolitan College specializes in educating students with strong career goals in vocational areas such as business, marketing, computing, performing arts, communication and Irish studies. www.belfastmet.ac.uk/
Requirements. Students must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher to apply.
How to Apply. Interested students must submit to Leigh Cocanougher in the Davidson Room of Old Centre the following four things by Monday, January 14, 2013.
1) A completed application form (available from Leigh Cocanougher)
2) An academic transcript
3) A 500-word essay describing the applicant's educational objectives while studying in Northern Ireland
4) Two letters of reference, one from the student's academic advisor and one from a faculty member or administrator at the applicant's institution
In late January, a Centre committee nominates the two or three students to the reviewing committee (composed of representatives of each denomination and the participating school/university in Northern Ireland), then reviews the applications. Students are typically notified of their acceptance and placement by the end of March.
Cost. For financial and academic purposes, this program is treated exactly as one of the programs we run ourselves. That is, students accepted pay only the $350 deposit/surcharge and their own airfare. Participants continue to pay Centre what they would pay if they were studying in Danville; Centre pays all tuition, room, and board expenses in Northern Ireland. (Students who do not eat in dining commons there receive a stipend to buy and prepare their own food—as in our Strasbourg and London programs.)
Deposit. The $350 non-refundable deposit/surcharge must be paid at the Centre business office (Boles Hall) one week after you hear of your acceptance, to hold your place in the program.
Insurance. Students studying abroad through any Centre program receive travel and accident insurance at no additional cost. Centre's Study Abroad Insurance, while provided through EIIA (Educational & Institutional Insurance Administrators), is administered through AIG Assist. Every student studying abroad with Centre College receives an AIG Assist contact and information card as well as a passport sticker. Each has the Centre insurance policy number, which is the only information needed to receive services. The categories of coverage provided are: accident and sickness ($100,000 limit with a $250 deductible); emergency medical evacuation and emergency family travel ($100,000 limit); accidental death and disability ($200,000 limit); and repatriation of remains ($100,000 limit).
If interested, contact Leigh Cocanougher at x5285 or leigh.cocanougher@centre.edu and make an appointment to discuss your interest and receive an application.