Facilitated by the International Office in conjunction with AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study), the group enjoyed two weeks of classes and interactive in-the-field learning experiences. Guest speakers included the National Youth Council of Ireland and Reel Youth. The students also visited the Kildare Youth Theatre in Newbridge for a day of workshops and activities with local teenagers, as well as the PoppinTree Youth Project and St Andrews Youth Project in Dublin city centre.
From the Department of Applied Social Studies, Dr. Hilary Tierney, Programmer Director; Mick O’Brien, Programme Coordinator; Morgan O’Brien and Trish Kettle, tutors, delivered the module over multiple classroom sessions and coordinated all learning and visits, gaining outstanding reviews from the students. The module covered sociological, youth and community topics through experiential and interactive learning.
The students stayed on South Campus and, led by Cliodhna Dunne, a recent graduate and their on-site coordinator, enjoyed outings around Ireland, including visits to Galway and to the local pantomime (an entirely new concept to the Americans!).
The group departed January 20th with extremely positive feedback about their learning and time in Maynooth – we look forward to another successful iteration for 2019!