Ireland: Galway - Irish Literature, History, and Music

I honestly think going to Ireland was the best decision I ever made. At first, I was nervous to even apply, but then my close friend gave me some good advice: "If not now, when?" So, I took my time and submitted an application just to try, and I am so happy I did. I remember sitting at JFK Airport before leaving for a flight to Dublin and I had no idea how amazing the next 5 weeks of my life would be. In Galway, I lived in a shared apartment in a village filled with pastel colored buildings with three other girls from all around the USA. I never experienced homesickness once because once I got there, my days were filled with making shared dinners in our kitchen, singing songs on our way to town, watching movies and doing homework on slow nights, and finding a new family to explore Galway with. I am still in contact with the people that I met on our trip, and in fact, some of us are planning an annual trip to go back. Our program director was so supportive, making sure we knew the ins and outs of the city before letting us loose, and he was always very diligent to make time for one of us if anything arose. The classes were amazing, the professors came from all over Ireland, and our tour guides on field trips were charismatic, reciting poetry at times and truly immersing us in hidden spots all over Galway county. I was really intimidated by the prospect of European travel, as I was born and raised in a pretty isolated part of Montana, and this trip made me realize that I belonged to something on a global scale. Going to Galway really did change me and I am so grateful for the effect it has had on my life. Since going to Galway, I have made friends from Ireland, Germany, and the UK. There are so many people out there, so many connections to be made, so many things to learn. If you even have an inkling of an idea to apply, I would say, do not underestimate the liberation of traveling. It may seem daunting, but it is possible and it will be so amazing.

I studied abroad in Galway, Ireland in the Summer of 2023. It was such an amazing experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. I was able to leave the country for the first time and be immersed in the culture. The USAC staff supported me on every step of the way, but I still felt like I had freedom to explore on my own as well. I made amazing friends from my program and we would adventure throughout Galway. It is a beautiful city and by spending five weeks there I was able to truly get to know the ins and outs. I got to watch live traditional Irish music in a pub, as well as go on field trips to the beautiful Aran Islands and Connemara. Studying abroad helped me push myself and grow as a person and I can't wait to visit Ireland again!

I had a blast in this program. Everything was great and the timing was wonderful with the GIAF. Perfect for students on the quarter system who still want to be able to work in the summer.
Do not skip the day trips and go to the arts festival whenever you can, they're so much fun and a great way to see the country and culture. Bring sea bands or ginger for the trip to the Aran Islands though.
I highly recommend taking an afternoon to walk to Menlo Castle, it's just across the river and has some interesting history.
If you take a trip to Blarney, DO NOT KISS THE STONE.
Bring at least 2 pairs of good walking/hiking shoes, one pair will get wet and you want a dry pair to change into.
The music class is fun, but I wouldn't say it's terribly enlightening if you're a music major already. The theater class is very much worth it.

Studying abroad in Ireland, with USAC, was one of the best things I ever did for myself. I am a musician and being in the cultural heart of Ireland was the best way I could explore this. The streets are filled with Irish talent, and pretty much every local I talked with was very kind and accommodating.
The dorms were located in Corrib Village. Had my own room, with a shared kitchen and bathroom alongside 5 other girls. It was very convenient and also offered a free shuttle into the city centre every hour.
I never had a problem with safety, *but always be cautious*.
The academics were great as the teachers very much cared about whether you learned the material or not.
The field trips were some of the best parts. My favorite- Inishmore. We took this trip to the Aran Islands and it was one of the most beautiful things I've experienced. HOWEVER, when you go to the Aran Islands, make sure you wear long pants, because some of us (not me) on the group got ticks while walking through the brush.

Everyone talks about what's "truly Irish," but this experience captured it all. Fantastic history class with field trips to forgotten places of real historical impact; theater class where we got to participate in the Galway Arts Fest along with locals; in-depth Dublin tour; it's hard to list everything that made me feel like an honorary Irish citizen before I came home! (And it made me want to become one for real!)

I participated in this program in the summer of 2009 and it was an absolutely amazing experience. Galway is a beautiful city on the west coast of Ireland that is near the Connemara Gaeltacht (Irish speaking areas of Ireland). The teachers that I had were amazing and they were able to get through quite a bit of material in just a five week time period. I participated in the music class and learned how to play the tin whistle within the first week.
There were several field trips that were part of the five weeks. During the time of the program, Galway has three different festivals, the Galway film fleadh, the Galway Arts Festival, and Race week which are all important parts of a summer in Galway that not many people get to experience.
I found my teachers and the rest of the support staff to be incredibly nice and helpful and worked hard to give us such an amazing experience. I also created a close group of friends who I still keep in touch with and can't wait to see again.
I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to spend time in Ireland or someone who just wants to get an experience that they will never forget.