Community Engagement in Rural Ireland

General Schedule
(a more detailed schedule will be given to study abroad participants)

Wednesday Depart U.S. in the afternoon or evening; fly overnight
Thursday Arrive at Shannon Airport by 11:00 am, purchase phone card, change money
Travel by minibus to Tochar Valley, drop off at host families
Friday In-country orientation, review syllabus, discuss expectations & questions
Field Trip: Tom Hennigan's Heritage Center
Saturday & Sunday Settle in with your family
WEEK ONE Meet with your mentor(s), refine your project, agree upon final products
Kick-off Dinner/Celebration
Reflection Day on Thursday afternoon
GROUP WEEKEND
Field Trip to Achill Island
Guest speakers on community development, Irish Island culture & history
WEEK TWO Gather materials & information for your project
Meet and interview key resource people
Outline your project and complete project management plan
Reflection Day on Thursday afternoon
FREE WEEKEND
Free Weekend
WEEK THREE Meet with mentor(s), make plans to meet with village council
Continue gathering materials, interviewing resource people
Start draft of your final project plan (and other products)
Mid-program meeting, mid-term grade discussion
Reflection Day on Thursday afternoon
GROUP WEEKEND
Field Trip
Guest speakers on cultural and natural heritage of Tochar
WEEK FOUR Finish gathering materials, finish interviews
Complete full rough draft of final project plan and final presentation
Share it with mentor, village council, & program faculty for final edits
Reflection Day on Thursday
FREE WEEKEND
Free Weekend
WEEK FIVE Make copies of your project & distribute as necessary
Presentations to Tochar Board at Closing Celebration on Tuesday
Final Reflection Day & evaluations on Wednesday
Say good-bye to your family & mentors on Thursday
Friday morning leave for Shannon airport, depart Ireland around 1:00 pm
JULY Final Reflective Essays Due