Arcadia Ireland

We have had a wonderful Fall Semester here at Arcadia Ireland and have met so many amazing students on their Irish Study Abroad experience. Our co-curricular events have really proven to highlight our inclusive community of learners, supported by our staff here in Dublin. Once again, we feel that we have been successful in designing student-centered study abroad programmes that uses Ireland as an innovative platform to better understand the Modern World.

Now it is time to think about our Spring 2023 participants! Our spring semester offers a range of co-curriculars taking place across the island of Ireland (and even into other parts of Europe) that will offer something for everyone to enjoy. 

ÉALÚ (ESCAPE) TO THE WEST OF IRELAND

This is our feature event of the semester.  Ealu - an Irish word meaning escape - perfectly describes this event.  All Arcadia students in Ireland will assemble in the beautiful County Clare to spend a weekend together with Arcadia staff.   We’ll hike, surf, dance, sight see, and acquire a greater appreciation for rural Irish life.  Perhaps most important is the time to bond with the Arcadia community in this timeless landscape.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE (FOLLOWING YOUR STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE)  

We welcome all of our students on what we hope will provide insight and essential skill in putting together the best Linkedin profile page following your study abroad experience. Staff and experts in this area of Linkedin will provide you all the knowledge you need to do this and what to look out for along the Semester to help with this!  

FIFTY SHADES OF GREEN- SUSTAINABLE COSTUME DESIGN FOR ST PATRICKS DAY

To prepare sustainably for St. Patrick's Day, we encourage students to recycle their way to their best Irish selves.  Arcadia staff will take you on a magical mystery tour of our favourite local charity and second-hand clothing shops in Galway, Cork, Limerick, Dublin and Belfast and see what unfolds. Prizes for the best outfits put together for under €25

CENTER TALK – FIGHT AGAINST FAST FASHION – A TALK ON STUSTAINABILITY

We are very excited to welcome representatives from the Trading department of Oxfam Ireland for an innovative and hugely important talk on Sustainability within the fashion industry. Our guest speakers are responsible for the textile stock that is sold through their network of 47 shops across the Irish market. They will talk about the work that Oxfam Ireland Trading in prolonging the life of textile by diverting from landfill/incineration. 

They will talk about the wonderful work that Oxfam Trading do to promote re use and sustainability of clothes and highlighting the damage that Fast Fashion does to our planet.

WINNER OF THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY COSTUME DESIGN WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT!

EXPLORING BELFAST AND THE ANTRIM COAST

This excursion brings us along the beautiful Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland where we will venture to some of Northern Ireland’s National Trust Sites. We will begin our tour at one of Ireland's most beautiful and scenic, the Giant’s Causeway - is it a geological rock formation or was it formed by a famous giant of Irish mythology? Find out for yourself while you’re there! We can't travel to that part of the country without learning about the History of the Troubles of Northern Ireland. Students will have an opportunity to learn about the complexity of this whole area. We will explore the murals and their meanings and will travel through the various areas as we chat and learn. 

THE WILD WEST: EXPLORE THE CLIFFS OF MOHER (as part of Ealu weekend)

We’re lucky to have some pretty stunning landscapes here in Ireland! Heard of the ‘Cliffs of Insanity’? Well, they happen to be just on our west coast! As part of the Ealu weekend we invite you to come and explore the 702-foot-high cliffs. Enjoy the stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean and take your time to enjoy the natural beauty of Ireland’s west coast!

LONDON WEEKEND

This Regional we invite you to experience quintessential London through a variety of landmarks, tourist attractions, and high-class performances. On our first day students will find themselves in the heart of London, a stone's throw away from bustling Oxford Street and a leisurely walk to the river Thames. We’ll start the evening meal at a traditional English pub and immerse yourself in an interactive Shakespeare workshop. The next day, we’ll take a short train journey to the grand Hampton Court Palace, once home to Henry VIII. The grounds boast a maze, haunted hallway, a vast range of galleries and preserved living quarters just to name a few highlights. Later that day we will head to the West End, to watch SIX, an award-winning musical show to dazzle your senses. Our final day takes us on a scenic meander past Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament, before arriving at the London Eye. Board the Eye for a panoramic view of the cityscape through the lens of this modern tourist attraction. Thereafter you’ll have the opportunity to discover the charm and excitement of London at your own leisure.

KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK AND THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY

Ever heard of Killarney National Park? Well, it is located beside the town of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. The park encompasses over 102.89 km2 (25,425 acres) of diverse ecology, including the Lakes of Killarney, Oak and Yew woodlands of international importance, and mountain peaks. It has Ireland's only native herd of Red Deer and the most extensive covering of native forest remaining in Ireland. Want to hike through this?  Well now is your chance!

If you thought that was enough, well it gets better!! After lunch we will take a boat on the lakes of Killarney. We will cruise the beautiful Lakes of Killarney with the M.V Pride of the Lakes. Setting sail from the 15th century Ross Castle and completing a tour of Lough Leane.