The tentative dates for 2024 are May 22 - June 22 (we will fly to/from Ireland as a group).

The costs for 2024 have not been finalized yet. The list below will be updated once the costs are finalized and approved. 

Here is an estimated cost breakdown for 2023 (pending approval from KU Council of Trustees):

Program fee of $2900 (includes $100 flight deposit, room, daily breakfast, meals associated with program events, ground transportation, site entrance fees, program excursions, OPW cards for accessing cultural and historical locations, and a LEAP card for independent travel in Ireland)

KU in-state tuition & fees of $1122.60 (The cost of tuition and fees is estimated based on the in-state tuition and fees rate for summer. Please contact the Office of Student Accounts for the non-resident tuition and fees rate for summer 2023 faculty-led programs.)

Round-trip airfare of $821.77 (The total flight cost is $921.77. Flights have already been secured with $100 deposit that is paid as part of the program fees. The remaining $821.77 is due in February.)

Study abroad insurance of $80

US Passport fees of $145

Estimated additional expenses of $1000 (e.g., other meals, personal spending, souvenirs)

Estimated grand total cost of $6069.37

Please look at the Places page for information about our hostels and the exact dates for when will be in each city. You can also view our hostels, as well as other cultural sights, via the Map page.

This program is not affiliated with an Irish University and, as such, will not follow a traditional class format. We have the tremendous flexibility to have "class" on the lawn overlooking a 16th century castle, on the bus while traveling between cities, on an island next to a 6th century abbey, in the lounge at the hostels, etc. 

Kutztown University Study-Abroad programs are monitoring Coronavirus (COVID-19) developments in consultation with Kutztown University Administration and the PASSHE system utilizing the CDC and US State Department travel advisories. If it becomes necessary to cancel a Summer study-abroad program, participating students will be notified as quickly as possible. Decisions regarding travel safety will be made on a program by program basis. Please consult the main Kutztown University web page for more information regarding COVID-19 response planning.

"Ireland's climate is influenced most by the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, it doesn’t have the extreme temperatures that other countries at similar latitude would have. The average temperature is a mild 50°F. A major warm ocean current called the North Atlantic Drift keeps sea temperatures mild too. Hills and mountains, mainly around the coast, shelter the rest of the island from strong winds coming off the ocean. So while the weather can be changeable – it's rarely extreme." (from the Ireland website)

The average temperature in June for the cities we will visit is an average low in the mid-40s(F) and an average high in the low-60s(F). You can check the weather averages for each city on WeatherSpark.

Due to the fluctuating nature of the weather, "you'll need to be adaptable. So go for layers that you can put on or take off as the temperature changes. Bring a sweater, even in summer; waterproofs to accompany all outdoor activities; sunglasses; comfortable walking shoes and an umbrella." (from the Ireland website)

Ideally you should use a backpack.  We will be on the move quite a bit, with a major change in location every week or so.  You can expect to move on foot a lot with your belongings, including up and down stairs, so a suitcase will be rather cumbersome. This also means you should pack lightly and efficiently; check the tips from Lonely Planet, Discover Ireland, and this video on compact packing. 

You will make your life easier by packing as lightly as you can (here are some tips for men and women via the Savvy Backpacker), and Ireland means layers of clothing, good walking shoes (for outdoor trails, cobblestone streets, and urban sidewalks), and planning for rain on any given day. No one will care if you wear the same shirt more than once in the same week, so you are better off being practical rather than overly fashionable. Here are a couple of good suggested packing lists for a first trip to Ireland from Infinite Ireland and Ireland.com. In our experience shorts are not necessary and sometimes even too cool on some summer days. We may be visiting some churches and some churches require modest dress (i.e., no tank tops, flip flops, shorts). 

Yes! The final itinerary is still in progress as the professors finalize plans. This itinerary will include program days where all of us travel together, course days where each course heads to its own destination, and open days where everyone, professors and students, will have free days to explore the cities. We strongly encourage you to think about what other places, experiences, etc. you want to have in Ireland, and then use these free days to fulfill your dreams. Here are some travel hacks for these free days, and you can also learn some Irish slang terms to help you converse with locals on your free days. 

Ireland is at least as safe as the United States and, in some parts, perhaps safer. You should take the same precautions in Irish cities as you would in an American city: stay out in the open, do not travel in remote or unlit areas alone, and stay together in groups as much as possible - use the same common sense you would use here. Do not carry a lot of cash, keep your passport in a secure location, and do not wear any jewelry or valuables you would not want to lose. Here is a link to more information about safety in Ireland. 

The electrical system is different in Ireland than in the USA. You should review this site for more details about plugs, outlets, and current converters. 

We highly doubt you will need cellphone service while you are there. You can get by with your phone in airplane mode and using available WiFi networks; you can always turn off airplane mode in an emergency situation to make a call. You can use mapping apps (Google Maps or Apple Maps) offline without cell service or WiFi. You can call family and friends in US over Wifi via a VOIP app.

Go to one of the info sessions as listed on the main page. We will have a meeting in April 2024 (date, time, location TBA) for accepted students and parents. This meeting will allow us to get-to-know one another, discuss plans, and answer any questions. If you have any questions at the moment, then please email the program or Drs. Johnson, Lanter, or Vogel individually.