Our Familiarization Trips are intended to acquaint IES Abroad Consortium members with our study abroad programs. While on these trips, participants see and experience much of what our students do in that host city. In March, our Dublin Center Director Megan Markey and her staff welcomed 16 Familiarization Trip participants to the IES Abroad Dublin Center. The group consisted of faculty, academic advisors, study abroad professionals, and experiential learning advisors from across the United States.
During the week, the group gained a deeper understanding of the 10 programs we offer in Dublin—including our newest programs: Entrepreneurship & Technology and our Writer’s Program.
From observing an acting class at one of our Dublin Direct Enrollment institutions, the famed National Theatre School of Ireland- Gaiety School of Acting, to listening to a showcase of student writing in our Dublin Writer’s Program, the week in Dublin was filled with hands-on experiences for the participants to see firsthand what it’s like to study abroad in Dublin. Our participants also visited our other two Direct Enrollment partners, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and Dublin City University, where our students study with local Irish and other international students.
The group had the opportunity to learn more about the work our students do with the Fighting Words nonprofit organization, geared to help students develop their skills and create excitement for writing and reading. The group also was able to take part in several other activities, such as visiting the Book of Kells Museum on the Trinity campus, touring Glendalough in the county of Wicklow, sitting in on various IES Abroad classes, and dining with our students in their student apartments!
It was a busy, interesting, productive, and fun week for everyone involved.
Learn more about our Familiarization Trips!
