Welcome to Dingle
My name is Grace Flannery, I’m the program co-director at SHU in Dingle. My role is to oversee both the academic and social aspects of the students’ time here, and I also teach biology and ecology. I was raised in Dingle and am very passionate about the area and making sure that students get an opportunity to experience all the place has to offer, whilst also receiving an excellent education. I am but one member of a very dedicated team of staff, and we aim to make your study abroad experience in Dingle the best experience it can be.
Sacred Heart University is quite unique in that it is one of the few universities in the US to have a committed study abroad campus with full-time SHU staff. This means that students receive all the same facilities and support in Dingle as they would at the main SHU campus in Fairfield.
Sacred Heart University chose Dingle for their Irish study abroad campus because it is a beautiful coastal town, full of culture and character, as well as being a very friendly and safe community. Students can easily walk around the town and to all the local stores, restaurants, and cafes. With a population of only 2,000 people, crime is virtually nonexistent, and the townspeople are very welcoming and protective of the Sacred Heart students. Dingle has a strong sense of community, and the students are very much part of this community.
When students come to Dingle, we want to ensure that they experience what it is like to truly live in Ireland – the culture, the sense of community, and the beauty of the landscape, not just the four walls of the classroom; thus, a key goal is to give students first-hand experience of Irish culture with minimal time in a traditional classroom setting. Students will spend the majority of their educational time out and about on the peninsula, whether it be visiting ancient archaeological sites, talking to local business owners, or exploring coastal flora and fauna.
Of course, while here, we also want students to experience many of the great opportunities that Ireland has to offer. Among the many activities we offer, students can try surfing, kayaking, traditional Irish dancing, horseback riding and pottery-making. If students come for an entire semester, we also organise several trips away to other famous locations in Ireland such as Killarney, Galway, and the Cliffs of Moher. The semester also includes a weekend trip to London, where students get to experience British culture and visit many famous London landmarks.
If you have any questions about Dingle or the study abroad program, I would be more than happy to answer them for you. Please feel free to email me at [email protected].
Grace
Dr. Grace Flannery
Program Co-director
Sacred Heart University in Dingle
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