Regents' Semester in Cork, Ireland

Cork, Ireland

The city of Cork has approximately 200,000 inhabitants and is the second largest city in Ireland.
Cork is located on the busiest seaport on the south coast.
The City Center is located on an island between two channels on the Lee River.
The city itself has much to offer, including a marina, art galleries, history museums, opera house, shopping malls, movie theatres, historic castles, and much more.
The sea is to the south, with mountains, hills, and river valleys to the north and east.
The well-known Lakes of Killarney is 1.5 hours away.
The weather in Cork is typically mild with wet winters and cool summers.
Irish people in Cork are very kind and always have an interesting story to tell.
Cork hosts the annual Film, Choral, and Jazz Festivals of Ireland.

University

University College Cork was founded in 1845 and has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence.
The university has approximately 12,000 students, 600 of whom are international.
The university is located near the Cork City Center on a historic site.
There are eight faculties/colleges encompassing the fields of Art, Celtic Studies, Commerce, Law, Science, Food Science and Technology, Engineering and Medicine.
Teaching is delivered through 60 departments within the eight faculties/colleges.
The campus itself is not nearly as large as a typical American University. The interesting aspect of the school is that it is built around the beautiful stone-faced Quadrangle, which gives the university a modern and cultural flair.
A new multi-sports centre with an indoor swimming pool opened in 2001.

Accommodation

UCC campus accommodation includes a variety of housing styles, including apartment/dormitory style living, host families, youth hostel, or off-campus accommodation.
Accommodation is available in five apartment complexes close to the campus.
Apartments are owned and operated by the University.
All living areas have electric heating and cooking facilities.
Almost all rooms are single, with kitchen and bathroom facilities shared with other occupants of the apartment.
University College Cork accommodation options.

Guidance

Part of going on a group-type program such as the Regents' Semester in Ireland is the invaluable guidance received from university administrators the University of Cork has to offer.
As part of a Regents' program, you will be spending your first few weeks at the university doing activities with other American students from U of I, UNI and ISU. These activities will be invaluable in acclimating you to the time and culture of your new surroundings.

Early start program

The Early Start program is offered as an introduction to the university and the Irish culture. Students will choose one of 8 courses offered that will begin 3 weeks prior to the start of the regular semester.
The eight course options for students to choose from include Irish Archaeology, History and Modern Ireland, Literatures in Ireland, Irish Folklore and Ethnology, Musics in Ireland, Irish Ecosystems, Management and Marketing in the European Union, or and Law.
This program will typically earn students 3-5 credit hours depending on the discipline.
Field trips and excursions will be included in this program. Examples of trips previously taken are Killarney National Park, Irish Parliament, Irish Civil War Sites, and weekend trips to Galway, Dublin, and other areas.
The Early Start program will be an excellent opportunity to learn about the country and the people of Ireland from a perspective few others have the chance to experience.

Classes

Students will take 4-5 classes that will earn them 12-15 U.S. credits or 30-35 Cork credits.
Classes are a mix of foreign and Irish students to ensure good interaction among international and native students.
Classes are generally small to facilitate participation.
Teaching style is relaxed, and professors are very approachable.
Classes tend to meet less frequently than at U.S. universities and are generally held twice a week.
Students can be evaluated by either writing papers or taking exams (professor's discretion).
The registration process begins when you are accepted into the university. International students are required to choose the classes that they wish to take before their arrival in Cork.
Once in Cork, there will be a specifically assigned day for international students to register. Only then will international students receive their schedule and identification cards from the university, which are to be used for email, the library, and Internet usage.
THIS VARIES FROM INSTITUTION TO INSTITION-- Grades do not transfer back, only credits. However, a LETTER GRADE will be on your official transcripts. It will not figure into your cumulative GPA. It will only add to your number of credits or fulfill requirements.
Cork Course Equivalency Guide (.xls)

Social life

The social atmosphere at University College Cork is nonstop; there is always something to do!
There are many things to do without even leaving the university. Students can always get involved with clubs, organizations, sports, and the Student's Union.
In October there is a Clubs and Societies Open Day, which gives students an opportunity to join a club or society in which they are interested.
There are currently over 120 clubs that students can join. Some examples of clubs offered are Boxing, Angling, Drama, Equestrian, Inline Hockey, Mountaineering, Paragliding, Photography, Rowing, Sailing, Squash, Windsurfing, Trampolining, Classical Society, Entrepreneurship and many more to meet practically any interests.
Every student who attends the university is a member of the Student's Union and is able to participate in every activity that the Union holds.
Part of the Irish culture is a long-standing history of pubs. The pubs give students a place to relax and socialize with friends.

Program costs

The price of the program for the Fall 2008 semester is approximately $10,000. The price includes tuition, fees, fall early start program, and excursions. Additional costs include: housing, food, and airfare. See the budget (.pdf). Learn more about financing your trip.

Applications

Required materials include: official transcript, 500-word statement of purpose (essay.doc), 2 letters of recommendation, and two applications are required for this program:

For more information

Contact:

Julie Yankey
Study Abroad Center
3224 Memorial Union
Ames, IA 50011-1133
(515) 294-6792
jyankey@iastate.edu