Program Site: Trinity College Dublin's Irish School of Ecumenics (ISE) Belfast Campus in Northern Ireland

Eligibility: 3.3 cumulative USC GPA; must have completed two years of college/university before start of program.  

Description: Belfast is a city rich in culture and history. Once a location travelers were told to avoid during the Troubles, Belfast is an ideal and dynamic context in which to learn about conflict transformation. The city of Belfast is constantly abuzz with happenings; there is never a shortage of things to do. 

Academics: The semester abroad program at ISE Belfast is interdisciplinary and suitable for students with a variety of majors and minors, including Political Science, International Relations, Religion, Sociology, and Anthropology. At ISE Belfast, students are immersed in a cutting-edge program of study that examines the causes and consequences of war and armed conflict, with a view to understanding how to achieve sustainable peace. Courses draw on perspectives from politics and political science, international relations, ethics and conflict resolution, allowing students to engage critically with the social, political and economic issues associated with peace and violence.

Course load and Credit: Students take three courses for a total of 15 USC units:
     - Conflict & Conflict Resolution
     - Social & Political Reconciliation
     - Lessons from the Peace Process in Northern Ireland

Activities and Other Program Features: The program includes several field trips and conflict resolution workshops in Ireland as well as a field trip to either the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands or the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Fees for trips are paid for in part by USC. 

Accommodations: Students may live in Queen's University Belfast dormitories if rooms are available for spring term. Students may also opt for private apartment rental in the city center.

Dates: Spring only; early January to early May.

Estimated Semester Cost:
Tuition..............................$21,081
Additional Expenses*............$8,840
Total.................................$29,921

Cost Updated: 12/12/11
Text Updated: 7/11/12

*Additional expenses include estimated costs for airfare, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, and personal expenses (which can vary greatly from student to student). USC financial aid, scholarships, and tuition remission may be applied to program costs. Please visit the Office of Overseas Studies for more detailed cost information.

Links:
Irish School of Ecumenics
ISE Study Abroad Semester for Undergraduates
Belfast Welcome Center