DUBLIN, IRELAND

International Social Work in Ireland

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Program Description

The purpose of this course is to enhance students’ knowledge about international social work in Ireland, tracing the emergence and history of social services in the region analyzing the influence of existing challenges in current delivery of social services in Ireland.  Students will visit important sites that impact social services including, but not limited to shelters, faith based organizations, and local social services agencies. This will be a unique opportunity to study the roots of current social services by exploring the past and present delivery of social services in Ireland and by critically examining how these practices have evolved and how they could influence the current delivery of social services in the United States.       

International Social Work in Ireland 2025 - a video on what to experience on this program in 2025!

APPLY NOW FACULTY-LED APPLICATION

 

Program Dates and Deadlines:
Term Year Application Deadline
(or as space permits)		 Start Date/Check-in End Date/Check-out
Summer 2025 February 4, 2025 June 15, 2025 June 25, 2025


Program fee payment deadline: See details below in program cost section. Program fees cannot be deferred. Plan accordingly. 

Information Sheet

Open to Open to all students
Language of Instruction English
Level of Study Undergraduate/Graduate
Credit Offered 3-6 FAU credits
Program Primary Subject Social Work
Sponsoring College College of Social Work
Education Abroad Contact Alex Baker

 

Program Course Offerings:

  • SOW 4957: International Social Work in Ireland (3 credits of undergraduate work)
  • SOW 4930: International Perspectives of Harm Reduction in Substance Abuse (3 credits of undergraduate work)
  • SOW 6930: International Social Work in Ireland (3 credits of graduate work)
  • SOW 6930: International Perspectives in Harm Reduction for Substance Abuse (3 credits of gradaute work)

Course Eligibility & Requirements:

Students participating on the program must enroll in one of the 3 credit program course offerings to participate. Students have the option to enroll in two courses should they choose. 

Note your course of interest on your study abroad application in the course section.

Program Eligibility & Requirement

  • Must have a 2.5 overall GPA at the time of application for undergraduate students and a 3.0 overall for graduate students
  • Must be in good academic standing at the time of application
  • Must be eligible to take FAU courses during the study abroad program term
  • See Policies & Procedures page for more information
 

In-country Program Faculty Leaders: Dr. Patricia Temes and Kyle Matera

Education Abroad Contact: Madison McShane

College of Social Work Director

Dr. Temes Email: ptemes@fau.edu

Phone number: 561-297-1080

Kyle Matera Email: kmatera@fau.edu 

Email: mmcshane@fau.edu

 

Travel Documentation

*Important notice* Passport processing times have changed. Review up-to-date details HERE.

Routine processing times can take 10-13 weeks, and expedited applications in 7-9 weeks. Processing times begin when your application is received by a passport agency or center, and do not include mailing times. It may take up to 2 weeks for your application to be received by passport agency, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive your completed passport after agency mails it to you. Therefore, you should add an additional 4 weeks to you passport application processing time. 

A valid passport is required for all international travel. If you are traveling anywhere abroad, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.

Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Check the Country Information to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling.  

If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to renew your passport, or you have any other passport questions, you can find information on the Travel.State.Gov website. In addition, several U.S. Embassies and Consulates provide information to assist applicants in collecting the documentation needed. For a list of Embassies, please visit U.S. Embassy.gov.

Location

Dublin is the capital and largest city in the Republic of Ireland. Dublin is situated on Ireland's east coast where it houses some historic buildings such as Dublin Castle and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Housing

Participants will be housed in university apartments on the campus of University College Dublin. Students will have a single ensuite (own bathroom) with shared kitchen and living space during the program dates. Bed linens will be provided.  

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Program Cost and Funding

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information 

  • Students participating on FAU Faculty-led Programs may use eligible financial aid
  • Program participants may be eligible to apply for the FAU Education Abroad Scholarship
  • See additional scholarship and funding information here.

 

Program Cost

$2,514 program fee + tuition for the required program summer course(s). FAU in-state or out-of-state rates apply. 

Program fee payment deadlines: 
1ST PAYMENT:      $1,257.00 Due on Thursday, February 15th
2ND PAYMENT:     $1,257.00 Due on Thursday, February 29th

Accepted participants will receive detailed payment instructions from the Education Abroad team via email. 

Program Fee Includes:

  • Accommodations at UCD campus from check-in through check-out date
  • International medical insurance
  • Welcome and farewell group meal
  • Site visits to various organizations of interest to social work
  • Visits to Dublin Castle, EPIC museum, Kilmainham Gaol, Book of Kells, Howth Cliff Walk, and more
  • Guest speakers
  • Local transportation pass

Activities and excursions are subject to change by faculty leader or program provider/vendor if needed. Replacement activity or excursion would be provided.

Program Fee Does Not Include :

  • $200 administrative fee paid at time of application submission
  • International flight
  • Tuition for courses/credits taken on program (FAU in-state and out-of-state rates apply)
  • Personal spending money

 

Travel Documentation, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Passport and Travel Documentation

  • A valid passport is required for all international travel. You need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.
  • Review up-to-date details  HERE. Routine processing times can take 6-8 weeks, and expedited applications in 2-3 weeks. Processing times does not include the time it takes for shipping. Processing times begin when your application is received by a passport agency or center, and do not include mailing times. It may take up to 2 weeks for your application to be received by passport agency, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive your completed passport after agency mails it to you. Therefore, you should add an additional 4 weeks to you passport application processing time.
  • Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Check the  Country Information  to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling.  
  • If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to renew your passport, or you have any other passport questions, you can find information on the  Travel.State.Gov  website. In addition, several U.S. Embassies and Consulates provide information to assist applicants in collecting the documentation needed. For a list of Embassies, please visit  U.S. Embassy.gov.
  • Non-U.S. Citizens may need additional travel documentation. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should research the study abroad program destination and your home country to determine if a visa or additional travel documentation is required. 

International Health Insurance

All FAU students participating on an FAU Faculty-led Program will be registered in international health and travel insurance coverage through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This mandatory insurance ensures that students have access to medical and emergency support services while abroad. This is included in the program cost. The 2025 Coverage plan will be available in January 2025. Participants can review the current 2024 plan  HERE  for reference.

Health and Safety Resources to Explore Prior to Traveling Abroad

Pre-departure Orientation and Meetings
All students must attend pre-departure sessions prior to study abroad. Education Abroad and your program faculty leaders will provide you with further details pertaining to dates, times, and location in the semester before your program. 

1) Mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Education Abroad office. This session will cover general international travel related topics such as health, safety, insurance, and travel tips. 
2) Mandatory pre-departure meeting hosted by program faculty leader. This session will cover program and location specific information such as arrival, expectations, itinerary, and course overview.