Learning Abroad Center
A group of students pose for a photo in Dunluce, Ireland

Leadership & Social Change in Ireland & Northern Ireland

Europe
LAC Program
Global Seminar
Instructor-Led

Investigate ethical leadership while studying the historical, cultural, and political events that led to the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland.

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Program Details

Location icon
Location
Belfast & Dublin, Ireland
Term icon
Term
Winter Break
May Session
Housing icon
Housing
Apartment
Hotel
Languages Taught In icon
Languages Taught In
English

Program Eligibility

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Student Type
UofM Students
Non UofM Students
Student Year icon
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
Graduate Students
GPA Requirement icon
GPA
2.5

About

While Northern Ireland is often viewed as a model for peace and reconciliation, more walls have gone up since the peace agreement was signed, and there is still pervasive segregation between Catholics and Protestants. In this seminar, we will visit several “interface” areas where ordinary citizens and informal leaders are attempting to facilitate change and provide safe strategies to move forward from this conflict. We will also learn about the role of elected officials and how their views and strategies might be similar or different from the community organizations.

The Brexit discussion and implementation in the past few years has also reopened the divide that was present during the Troubles. The challenges currently facing the two major parties (Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party) in Northern Ireland to work together and compromise will provide a good comparative analysis with the US structure of governance.

Program Model

Global Seminar
Instructor-Led

Housing & Meals

You will live in shared housing with other program participants. Welcome and farewell meals, and some other additional meals, are included in the program fee. Additional meals can be prepared in the housing or taken at local eateries.

Excursions

This program will be based primarily in Dublin and Belfast. Excursions may include:

  • Dublin city tours with Irish history lectures
  • Visit to County Wicklow including Glendalough
  • Literary Pub Crawl
  • Belfast City Bus Tour
  • The Stormont Assembly, with the possibility of meeting local politicians
  • Day trip to Derry /Londonderry including walking the city walls and the Peace Bridge
  • Giant’s Causeway
  • Grianan Aileach
  • Tour of Trinity College

Accessibility

If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.

Flight

All program participants will take the coordinated group flight to and from the program site. The cost of the group flight is included in the program fee that will be posted to your student account. Do not book your own flight; you will receive information from the Learning Abroad Center about your seat on the group flight once your participation has been confirmed.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop independence by challenging yourself in a new environment
  • Function as an effective team member by utilizing your personal strengths in a group setting
  • Explore a specific topic through experiential and interdisciplinary approaches

Faculty & Staff

This seminar is led by Maggie Harris, the Capstone Course & Global Programs Coordinator, and a Teaching Specialist in the Leadership Minor, and has lead multiple programs abroad to Ireland as well as Bali.

Program Structure

Program Level
4000-level coursework
Courseload

One 3-credit course

Global Seminars are 3-week study abroad programs led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff that feature:

  • Intensive learning in a location that illuminates the topic
  • Small groups of 15–25 students
  • No prerequisites or language requirements
  • Included excursions and cultural activities
  • Instruction in English

Course Description

Throughout the seminar, explore different views on the future of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We will cover the historical, cultural, and political events that led to the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland. We will examine the ethics of the role that the United Kingdom played, as well as the strategies used by leaders on both sides in Northern Ireland.

Through excursions and assignments, you will reflect on your capacity for leadership and cultural competence, as well as how you might use them to impact change on a social issue important to you.

Coursework

You will be assessed on attendance, participation, and assignments throughout the course. Assignments include a journal, papers, and digital story presentations.

Receive Credit for: LEAD 4481

Liberal Education Fulfillments: Global Perspectives

Approved for a Leadership Minor Elective.

Approved for upper division elective credit in the Public and Nonprofit Management Co-Major.

*Itinerary and activities shown within syllabus subject to change

Sustainability

The Learning Abroad Center is committed to sustainability and incorporating this into its programs. This course can be tied to Sustainable Development Goals through course content and program activities including:

SDG 5: Gender Equality—Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Ireland and Northern Ireland place a heavy emphasis on strengthening women's rights and the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. As we study peace amidst historical conflict, gender identity has been key to that.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth—Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs. The "Irish Tiger" years are a key component of study, and Ireland's powerful international partnerships and economic growth, contrasted with BREXIT's impact in Northern Ireland, help put this SDG into stark necessity and clarity.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities—To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations. Ireland and Northern Ireland's history of and modern attempts to rectify inequality through policy, activism, and more, will be deeply explored.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, & Strong Institutions—Access to justice for all and building effective, accountable, institutions at all levels. As a course on peace, community, and conflict, this SDG will be heavily studied.

By learning about all of these goals in context, you are also asked to consider them in your own realities and futures in order to consider how to meaningfully apply and pursue the SDG tenets in your own life and work.

Academic Registration

If confirmed, you will be registered for your course by the Learning Abroad Center once registration opens for your term abroad. Make sure you have no holds that would prevent registration.

If you haven't already, communicate with your academic adviser(s) as applicable to review the course for your major, minor, or college requirements. University of Minnesota students should use the Academic Planning Form (PDF), located on your confirmation checklist.

Dates Details

Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:

Program TermProgram DatesApplication Deadline
May Session 2026May 22–June 12, 2026February 22, 2026
Winter Break 2026TBDTBD

Note that the program dates will be slightly later than other May Session Global Seminars.

Program dates are subject to change.

If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.

Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.

Information Sessions

Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page. The following table of information sessions is for the upcoming Winter Break program.

DateTimeLocation
TBDTBDTBD

Orientation Dates & Locations

The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.

Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:

  • Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. 
  • LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
  • LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
  • Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**

The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:

Fees

The cost of participation includes educational costs, group flight airfare, program administration, housing, some meals, international health insurance, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, and local transportation. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. You must also budget for visa, passport and passport photos, meals not included, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses.

Recent increases in international airfare and accommodation costs have impacted all instructor-led program fees. The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

Enrollment Note: This program is considered part of summer enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.

Fischer Study Abroad Scholarship

Special funding is available if you are a first-year student through the Gerald B. & Catherine L. Fischer Study Abroad Scholarship.

Additional Scholarship Opportunity for Passport Funding

Students on a 2025–26 winter break, May, and summer Learning Abroad Center Seminar who apply for the Gopher Study Abroad Scholarship during the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 scholarship application cycles will receive an additional $500. Recipients will be selected based on score and awarded while funding remains. No additional scholarship application is required. This award is funded by the generous support of WorldStrides, an LAC partner organization.

Funding for Leadership Minor Students

If you are a Leadership minor student, you may be eligible for funds from the Leadership Minor. Once confirmed, you will receive information directly from the minor as to how to apply. For questions, you can reach out to [email protected] for more information.

External Scholarship: Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant

Undergraduate students with a minimum 3.75 GPA are encouraged to apply for the Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant. There are 75 $1,000 grants that will be given to students who travel between May 1, 2026–June 30 2027. Learn more and apply for the grant.

Application deadline: March 15, 2026
Award Date: May 1, 2026

Cancellation Policy

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.

May 2026

Global Seminar: Leadership & Social Change in Ireland & Northern Ireland

May Session 2026

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $6,413
International health insurance $55
Housing and/or mealsThree group meals included. Shared rooms in an apartment in Belfast and single rooms in a share student dorm/apartment in Dublin. $1,412
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $1,540
Total Program Fee $9,820
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $-500
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $9,320

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site $0
Passport/photos $175
Visa/required documentsUK Electronic Travel Authorization ETA required for Northern Ireland $15
Travel clinic/immunizations*Optional travel clinic visit $50
Housing deposit $0
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $240
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $0
Housing and/or meals not included in program feeMost meals are not included but kitchen/kitchenette access is provided in student housing. $350
Essential daily living expensesInternational phone plan, etc. $200
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $550

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $10,110
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $150
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Prepare

Be aware: Learning Abroad Center programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.

Apply

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

Complete

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

  • Application Essay

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

Next Steps

  1. After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
  2. Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
  3. If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
  4. Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
    • Passport Information
    • Emergency Contacts
    • Health Information Form
    • Online Health & Safety Orientation
    • Release & Waiver
  5. You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.

After You Apply

Before your program begins, review these resources.

Health & Safety

Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.

Power of Attorney

Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.

Student Identity

Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.

Travel Resources

Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Anna DeWitt at [email protected], or call at 612.626.2234.