DAY 1: Saturday, October 21, 2023
The day has finally arrived, and you are Ireland bound! Travel to Toronto Pearson International Airport to join your fellow Niagara College peers to board your Air Transat flight to Dublin. Sit back, relax, and try to catch a few winks on this overnight flight as the adventure begins in the morning.
DAY 2: Sunday, October 22, 2023
Rub the sleep from your eyes and don your finest green, you have officially touched down in Dublin! Collect your bags and board our private transportation and prepare to begin our adventure by visiting the Cliffs of Moher before making our way to Galway for the night!
These visually spectacular cliffs formed more than 320 million years ago! Rising out of the Atlantic waters reaching a staggering 700+ feet in height at O’Brien’s Tower, they run for nearly 14 kilometers along the coast of Clare and help to form part of the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Geopark. After we finish visiting this beautiful wonder, we make our way to Galway for the night where you will have time to grab a bit to eat, enjoy an evening walk or sleep!
- Cliffs of Moher
- Overnight Galway
Included Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Monday, October 23, 2023
Wake up and pinch yourself because it’s not a dream – you’re in Galway! Take the morning to explore on your own before packing up for our next destination. Maybe consider adding a little Ed Sheerhan to your playlist as you stroll the beautiful streets and learn of the stories they tell. Known for its near constant festival-like atmosphere, Galway ranks as the cultural capital of Ireland and is home to 10% of the country’s Irish speakers.
The next four days of your time abroad will be spent in one of Ireland’s fastest growing communities – Castlebar! Named after an 11th century castle, Castlebar began as a small market town and has grown into the prominent community in County Mayo. While in Castlebar we will have the opportunity to learn alongside leaders in Irish community services at the Atlantic Technological University and visit local industries to discover the impact that social services have on Castlebar’s community. This will include the impact of regional initiatives, the benefits of engaging locals to be active, and caring for the vulnerable.
Included Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
After enjoying breakfast at your accommodations, your Irish educational experience begins by making your way over to campus for an orientation session on Atlantic Technological University Mayo Campus and of Ireland! Our afternoon will include educational sessions.
Tonight, we will get together as a group to toast our glad tidings of our time together in Ireland.
- Sessions at ATU
- Group Dinner
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5: Wednesday, October 25, 2023
We begin our day at the ATU campus by breaking off into groups to visit multiple service partners. This afternoon, we engage in thought provoking sessions as we learn about Early Childhood Education and Care in Ireland. Take this opportunity to take the lessons and skills learned in our Niagara classrooms to analyze the similarities and differences in the approach and practice that is taken in Ireland.
This evening, enjoy some free time to explore Castlebar and find delicious local eats. Perhaps consider coming together as a group to enjoy some music and toast the day and the incredible ones ahead.
- Sessions at ATU
- Free evening
Included Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: Thursday, October 26, 2023
Fuel up for the day with another delicious breakfast at the Ellison before heading back to ATU to partake in more amazing educational sessions and incredible industry visits in the afternoon.
Enjoy a free evening to try some amazing food and explore this beautiful city!
- Sessions at ATU
- Free evening
Included Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: Friday, October 27, 2023
Wake up and seize the day for our last sessions and industry visits at ATU! Cheers to the new friends we have made and memorable lessons and experiences that will stay with us always!
- Sessions at MTU
- Free evening
Included Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Our last day in Ireland brings us back to the nation’s capital where we will have the opportunity to reflect on the importance and impact that community services have and the role that they will continue to have with shaping this beautiful country.
Enjoy your final evening in Dublin and unite with your fellow peers aboard a battery powered barge for a private farewell dinner at the Canal Boat Restaurant. Sit back, relax, enjoy the scenery, delicious food, and some live music while watching the crew operate manual locks as you sail up and down the canal. Sláinte!
- Return to Dublin
- Free time
- Dinner cruise
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9: Sunday, October 29, 2023
Board your private transportation for the final time as you head to the Dublin Airport. Board your flight on Air Transat and take in one final aerial view of the Emerald Isle and reflect on your amazing experience on your way home to Toronto.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Disclaimers: Be World Ready does their best to execute the itinerary as outlined above, however all elements are subject to change based on availability or requirement to adapt due to circumstances outside of our control. Students are reminded that it is their responsibility to research the entry requirements to the destination countries visited per their nationality and vaccination status.
* Price per student is in Canadian Dollars and reflects the Be World Ready (BWR) grant which has been applied to the total trip cost to heavily subsidize the rate per person for our Fall 2023 International Field Studies (IFS). Our future IFS BWR grants will not remain this high. To qualify for the full value of the BWR grant applied to this IFS, mandatory training and tasks are required to be completed, training and task expectations will be clearly communicated by BWR staff upon registration. Failure to complete the requirements as outlined by BWR staff will result in the value of the grant being billed back to the applicable student account, up to a maximum of $2500. Securing your seat on this trip will occur on a first come, first serve basis based on registration date, and meeting payment timelines.
