Dublin is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, a city layered with stories from a rich cultural history defined by relationships with all parts of the world. It has at various times been called the largest village in Europe, the second City of Empire, Joycetown, and the capital of Ireland. Dublin has the second highest growth rate of European cities, and has positioned itself as a strategic bridge between the United States and the European Union. Perhaps the most literary city in the world, Dublin claims some of the great writers of the modern era (Beckett, Heany, Joyce, Shaw, Swift, Wilde, and Yeats), and one need only venture into one of Dublin's innumerable pubs to experience the Irish penchant for storytelling and spirited discussion.
With half of the city's population under the age of 25, Dublin is brimming with youthful exuberance and self-confidence. There is a thriving arts scene built around Irish film, rock music, and multimedia, and no shortage of opportunity for those wanting to participate in the booming Celtic Tiger economy.
The Irish Internship Program offers semester and academic year options and awards a total of 15 academic credits per semester. Students on the program are expected to engage in an internship, take a foundation course, one online course through Marist College, and one course at Dublin Business School of Arts (DBS). The program is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of Irish culture and society through an internship, course work, homestay with an Irish family, and field activities that use the city of Dublin as a classroom.
Students complete a six-credit internship by working in Irish and multinational businesses and organizations. Placements are available in most academic fields and are designed to fit individual students' backgrounds and learning goals.
Internships are arranged taking into account each student's previous work experience, academic background, career objectives, and interests. This individualized placement process helps to insure that each student has a successful internship experience. An orientation program helps students to prepare for the internship and integrate it into their academic and career plans. Internship placements could be with Irish, American, or multinational companies and organizations. Students have an on-site supervisor to whom they report, as well as an internship program coordinator who arranges and monitors the internship. The internship involves the student in substantial projects for her/his company or organization and yields six credits.
Students take a total of four courses:
The internship requires students to intern for 270 hours with a business or organization in Dublin and complete written requirements. The internship begins in the fifth week of the program after the foundation course ends.
Elective classes at DBS are available in the areas of humanities and social sciences: anthropology, economics, literature & drama, media studies, philosophy, politics, psychology, and film studies. Students participating in this program for one semester only should not plan to enroll in business courses.
Irish Culture and Society is an interdisciplinary, team-taught course that examines Irish culture and society through readings, lectures, and field experiences. It is run intensively by faculty from a variety of academic areas, including history, literature, and the social sciences co-teach the course. Extensive use is made of the museums, historic sites, and environment of Dublin and environs.
A homestay with an Irish family is a highlight of the program, providing students with an invaluable experience. Homestays are carefully chosen by the Marist College housing coordinator in Dublin who has over 25 years experience in placing students with Irish families. Students are matched with families taking into consideration their preferences and living habits.
As an alternative, students who prefer a more independent living arrangement may request accommodation in newly renovated student apartments in central Dublin. Cooking facilities are available, and students share the accommodations with Marist students and/or other study abroad students.
The Program is administered by Marist College in cooperation with DBS. An on-site resident director in Dublin supervises all aspects of the program, including curriculum, orientation, internships, housing, and advising of students.
