Eight students from Northern Arizona University — seven majoring in psychological sciences and one in education — completed an intensive course exploring the psychology of community and culture in Ireland during the summer semester. The course was taught by Eylin Palamaro-Munsell, Ph.D., a specialist in community psychology who completed her postdoctoral training in Dublin. In this 4-week, 6-credit, special topics course, students were completely immersed in the Irish context. Students attended lectures, traveled to various cultural and historical sites throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and gained insight into an alternative worldview through a variety of face-to-face meetings with Irish citizens — community leaders, business and civic leaders, historians, artists, psychologists, faculty, and students. Each week’s content was focused on a different aspect of Irish life and culture including topics such as history, mythology & folklore, and the arts and modern community.
The eight NAU students lived on the University College Dublin (UCD) Campus in South Dublin. Classes were held on UCD campus, at the James Joyce Centre, at Ballymun AXIS Cultural and Arts Centre, and in the streets of Dublin.
Throughout the course, students had the opportunity to apply their knowledge of psychological principles and theories to a cultural setting. They returned with a greater appreciation for the role that that culture plays in the well-being and challenges of individuals. Student reflections and photographs from the event showcase the power of studying abroad.
In the students’ words…
- This trip was a true Irish experience and I am so glad that I got to make new friends and connections from a life different than my own. My newfound knowledge on Irish culture and history makes me eager to learn more about world and observe how similar and different our communities really are.
- This trip has truly been the trip of a lifetime. I learned so much about not only the Irish people and their struggles/triumphs, but I also learned a lot about traveling and myself too.
- This experience has changed my life and my perspective forever and I could not be more grateful to have had this wonderful opportunity.
Please feel free to contact Dr. Palamaro-Munsell for more information about this study abroad event.
