Description

• Program Objectives
• Program Requirements
• Optional Coursework
• Free Time

Program Objectives

The Study Abroad in Ireland program has been designed to attract undergraduate and graduate students wanting an international experience that focuses on the delivery of educational and social services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in Ireland. Specifically, students from a wide range of disciplines (special education, speech and communication disorders, psychology, social work, child and family development, gerontology, occupational and physical therapy, nursing, recreation/leisure studies, adaptive P.E., music therapy etc.) with an interest in social, educational, vocational, recreational and/or health services for persons with developmental disabilities will be recruited to participate in this “service-learning” program. Prior experience with person with developmental disabilities is required; applicants with direct contact experience with adolescents and/or adults with disabilities are preferred. The program has two primary objectives:

a. To provide participants with a cross-cultural experience in Cork, Ireland, where they will have the opportunity to work under the direction of Irish professionals who serve individuals with developmental disabilities.

b. To provide participants with the opportunity to learn about Irish history, culture and traditions through in-country travel and attendance at social and cultural events.

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Program Requirements

During the course of the six week program, all participants will be required to volunteer their services in one of a variety of programs of the COPE Foundation www.cope-foundation.ie . The service component will be arranged by the Director of the Study Abroad in Ireland program, in cooperation with the COPE Foundation. The COPE Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive services to over 1600 children and adults with special needs, and their families through its vocational education, sheltered employment, early intervention education, residential facilities, information dissemination, and recreation/leisure programs at over 60 locations throughout Cork city and county.  The COPE Foundation also provides support to 3 schools serving children with special needs in Cork city.

Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of 6 semester hours during summer semester (“Thru Session”) that will include 3 semester hours of practicum (SPED 4440 or SPED 7440) requiring 120 contact hours with persons with special needs, their families, and/or persons who serve them.  In addition, all participating students will enroll in a 3 semester hour didactic course titled “Cross Cultural Perspectives in Developmental Disabilities: Ireland” (SPED 4800 or SPED 6800). This seminar course will address Irish laws, policies, and models that pertain to the delivery of educational and social services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Irish professionals from various disciplines will be invited to present at these weekly seminar meetings.  These courses have been approved as “split level” courses, permitting enrollment by undergraduate and graduate study abroad participants.

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Optional Coursework

Additional UGA course work may be taken by students, although optional, through the on-line courses offered by the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education, related to children with special needs (SPED 2000, Survey of Special Education; SPED 3050, Classroom and Behavior Management of Individuals with Disabilities; SPED 7220, Methods for Teaching Academic Skills). These and other on-line courses are often offered in summer semester by the department through its SETWEB on-line certification program (www.coe.uga.edu/setweb/). In addition, participating students may request to enroll in a directed study with the study abroad director (SPED 4000, SPED 6000, SPED 8000) or with their academic advisor and facilitated by the study abroad director.

This seminar will address Irish laws, policies, and models that pertain to the delivery of educational and social services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Irish professionals from various disciplines will present at these weekly seminar meetings.

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Free Time

It should be noted that the study abroad program was intentionally designed as a 4 days/week program to allow students the opportunity to travel on their own while in Ireland. Ireland has a rich history and culture that students will be encouraged to investigate. To encourage their participation in Irish culture, the study abroad director and instructor will plan optional cultural activities for students during the six week period.  Activities may include a theatrical performance, traditional Irish dance and music festival, sporting event (hurling, Gaelic football), city tour, or visit to a local museum.  It should be noted that Cork was designated “European Capital of Culture” for 2005 (www.cork2005.ie) because of its extensive program of events each year, particularly in summer months. In addition to these activities, depending upon participants’ interest, optional weekend day trips to villages in and around Cork city (Kinsale, Cobh, Skibbereen, Bearra Pennisula, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, etc.) can be scheduled. In addition, travel to the British Isles and continental Europe is possible.

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Study Abroad in Ireland Brochure