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SHRS Study Abroad in Ireland

Dublin, Ireland and Belfast, Northern Ireland are the perfect cities to give you an international context on healthcare practice and inter-disciplinary studies in a variety of healthcare fields. It is a wonderful learning opportunity that allows you to appreciate the influences of different policies and systems on collaborative clinical practice. You will be exposed to different models of healthcare and education across three countries (UK, USA, and Ireland)
 
On this program, you will earn 6-credits. This program is led by Dr. Janice Vance, a native of Northern Ireland. She uses her extensive network to offer you the opportunity to visit a range of locations. While on site, you will observe and discuss practice and policy across a range of health-related disciplines including: Audiology, Clinical Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and Athletic Training/Sports Medicine. These visits will take place in: clinical, education and research settings.
 

What You'll Accomplish

As an engaged and active participant in this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • Specific interests in the SHRS field and begin to explore the similarities and differences between Ireland, United Kingdom and United States
  • Knowledge on the different models of health care and education across three countries (UK, USA, and Ireland)
  • Experience in clinical practice across a range of disciplines- developing interdisciplinary understanding and exposure to multidisciplinary teamwork- health and education

Dublin:
The capital of Ireland, is a city rich in vibrant culture and history.  Originally founded as a Viking settlement, it has become Ireland's principal city.  The city resides on the banks of the river Liffey and is home to one of the youngest populations in Europe.  It is full of rich cultural and artistic heritage. 
 
Dublin is home to many historic monument, castles and churches.  Opportunities to visit popular cultural sites such as Dublin Castle, O'Connell Street, Grafton Street, and Trinity college are among the out of the classroom experiences you can enjoy.  Dublin also has more green spaces per kilometer than any other European city.  This is a very structured program with a busy itinerary. You will have free-time, but there are also many built-in cultural activities and excursions included.
 
Belfast:
The Capital of Northern Ireland, located on the River Lagan. Its settlement goes back to the Iron age, but it became a major urban center in the 18th century. It has a complicated and troubled past between the Catholics and the Protestants which caused many working class areas of the city to be split. In more recent years the city has been relatively peaceful and major redevelopment has occurred in the city center. The city is the shopping, retail, educational, commercial, entertainment, and service centre for Northern Ireland and the headquarters for many major businesses, hospitals and educational institutions in Belfast. There are many tourist attractions for you to explore which includes the Grand Opera House, Donegall Square, Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Belfast Zoo, and Titanic Museum.
 
 
 

Where You'll Live

During your time in Ireland and Northern Ireland, you will stay at four different locations. You will spend a majority of your time on this program in Dublin, Ireland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. You will also have overnight stays in Newgrange, Ireland and Glendalough, Ireland
 
Dublin, Ireland Housing:
You will live in a modern, centrally-located hostel along with their faculty leader in Dublin. The hostel is located within the city center and be close to many restaurants, shopping and other modern conveniences. On average you can expect four to six students per apartment and some apartments may have up to eight students. Housing placements are finalized in the Spring semester and will be provided 1-2 weeks before departure. You can expect the following at your accommodations in Dublin:

  • Beds
  • Bedding, bed linens
  • En-suite bathrooms
  • Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour reception
  • Laptop safe and safe deposit boxes
  • Shared kitchen space in common area

 
Belfast, Northern Ireland Housing:
You will stay on-campus at Stranmillis University College during their time in Belfast. The campus offers housing within the College grounds in an attractive, quiet setting among trees and shrubs are over 400 modern comfortable rooms laid out in six blocks. You  will stay in single rooms with wash basin en-suite and shared bathrooms. Common rooms on all floors offer students flexibility to have their own privacy and for being sociable if they choose.  You can expect the following at your accommodations in Belfast:

  • Beds
  • Bedding, bed linens
  • Sink in bedroom
  • Shared bathrooms
  • Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour security on campus
  • Coin-operated laundry in building

 
Newgrange, Ireland:
You will stay at Newgrange Lodge which is uniquely located within the UNESCO Heritage parkland of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. The lodge was formerly an old farmhouse, the Lodge was lovingly restored to provide the perfect base for you to venture out and explore the rich & historical attractions of the stunning Boyne Valley region. You will stay in shared, multi-bedded dorm rooms with up to 6-10 Pitt students. You can expect the following at your accommodations in Newgrange:

  • Beds
  • Bedding, bed linens
  • En-suite bathrooms
  • Wi-Fi

 
Glendalough, Ireland:
You will stay at Glendalough International Hostel. You will stay in shared, multi-bedded dorm rooms with up to 6-10 Pitt students. You can expect the following at your accommodations in Glendalough:

  • Beds
  • Bedding, bed linens
  • Shared bathrooms
  • Wi-Fi
  • Laundry facilities
  • 24-hour security

We do our best to provide the most accurate information about housing and amenities but due to the nature of the locations in which we offer programs and limited availability, these items are subject to change.  Contact your program manager with any questions. 

What You'll Study

You'll earn a total of 6 credits on the SHRS Ireland Summer program. Everyone will take the same course on the program, CSD 1904 Integrated Field Trip Ireland course. The course will be led by Dr. Janice Vance from Pitt’s School of Health and Rehab Sciences. There are also several other Faculty/Staff/Graduate Program Assistants that accompany the group and help teach/evaluate. The program will be comprised of lectures, guest speakers, city tours, and cultural activities. You will do professional site visits to range of clinical, education and research locations. While on site, you will observe and discuss practice and policy across a range of health-related disciplines including: Audiology, Clinical Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and Athletic Training/Sports Medicine.  In your courses you will study:

  • Different models of healthcare and education across three countries (USA, Northern Ireland (as part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland)
  • Clinical practice across a range of health and education disciplines
  • The benefits of multidisciplinary teamwork/care within and across health and education.
  • The cultural difference between each country to understand cultural competency as well as an understanding of the impact of historical, economic, political, social and cultural issues on healthcare, social services and education policy and practice.

You will be required to do daily record of learning (ROL) reports to help process their learnings from that day. You will also get the opportunity to work on your presentation skills as this program requires you to participate in group discussions and also present on clinical topics.
 
In order to be eligible to participate in the summer program, you must also commit to taking a 1-2 credit course during the spring semester prior to departure. This course will help prepare you for their experience abroad. It will focus on U.S. Health and social services, education systems and policies. This course will require you to complete a multi-disciplinary presentation on a range of disorders and conditions that you will study and observe in Ireland/Norther Ireland.
 
If you are seeking to count these courses towards a major, minor or certificate, please meet with your academic advisor to discuss this program and what the courses will fulfill for you. Information about how the courses on this program count towards general education requirements for different schools and campuses can be found here.
 

Integrated Field Trip to Ireland (CSD1904)

This 6-credit course is for anyone who has completed their junior year in one of the SHRS undergraduate programs. focuses on site visits to a range of clinical, education and research location in Belfast, Northern Ireland and Dublin, Ireland. Students will observe and disucss practice and policy across a range of health-related disciplines including: Audiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Athletic Training/Sports Medicine and more. Students will develop a interdisciplinary understanding and appreciation of the benefits of multidisciplinary teamwork within and across health and education. Students will also develop an understanding of the impact of historical, economic, political, social and cultural issues on healthcare, social services and education policy and practice. 

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts

Tim Crawford

Hi Everyone! I’m Tim, a Program Manager here in the Study Abroad Office. I’m proud to be from a small town in Central PA but now love calling Pittsburgh home. My study abroad experience includes a semester in France during my sophomore year, Spring Break in London during Grad School and Summer in Italy as a Program Assistant. My experiences opened my eyes to the rest of the world and I’d love to help you take advantage of the numerous study abroad opportunities here at Pitt. Outside of the office, I’m always looking for the next adventure whether it’s exploring a new city or new neighborhood in PGH. I fully embrace the yinzer way of life and plan my schedule accordingly around every Pens, Bucs and Stillers game. I’d love to talk to you more about any of our study abroad programs and answer any of your questions. Please reach me at TSC29@pitt.edu or 412-648-2156.

Your In-Country Contacts

Dr. Janice Vance

Dr. Janice Vance, Director and Assistant Professor, Undergraduate Education in Communication Science and Disorders. Dr. Vance is a native of Belfast, Northern Ireland, and has held clinical and faculty positions in Ireland, England and South Africa before joining the Department of Communication Science and Disorders. Her teaching and clinical activities have focused on linguistics and acquired neurogenic language disorders. She is currently the director of the undergraduate degree program in communication science which aims to provide a supportive and academically challenging program to a strong and diverse community of students enabling them to fully realize their academic, professional and leadership potential in CSD and related fields. Vance also has a particular interest in developing inter-professional insights in undergraduates as they prepare for future careers in health and rehabilitation. She provides students from a range of SHRS undergraduate programs with a unique opportunity to explore inter-professional learning in an international context though her Study Abroad Program in Ireland.

  In- State Out-of-State
Estimated Expenses Billed by Pitt  $4,050 $4,250
Estimated Additional Expenses $2,500 $2,500
Total Estimated Cost $6,550 $6,750

Final program costs and will be available by November 15.

Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad.  Visit our Budgeting page for more information.

What's Included

As a part of your program fee, the following are included:

  • Tuition for 6 credits
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfasts
  • Travel within Ireland & Northern Ireland
  • Two cultural excursions: Newgrange & Glendalough
  • International Health Insurance

 
 

When You'll Go

The program will take place from early May to early June. Exact dates will be posted soon.

What Else You Need to Know
  • You do not need a passport to start the application process, but will need to begin the process of getting one as soon as possible
  • This program has a very structured schedule. Your free time may be limited to evenings. Most weekends have scheduled excursions and activities (They're to places you would plan to see on your own, and some you may not discover during your own research). If you're planning to do independent travel, please do so after the program has concluded.
    • Due to the nature of the program, the schedule is subject to change. There may be instances where a guest speaker or visit needs to be rescheduled. We ask for your patience and understanding in advance.
  • Remember that this is an academic program and that you should expect to invest the same amount of time and effort on your courses abroad as you would on a course at Pitt. 

You're seeing student-submitted photos from Dublin, Ireland. There may be photos that do not necessarily represent this program or it's inclusions, but we hope you enjoy seeing what Panthers around the world are doing!