Understanding the Politics of the Northern Ireland Conflict (1 course)
Building a Sustainable Democracy (1 course)
Internship Placement and Integration Seminar (equivalent to 2 courses)

Sample Syllabus (PDF)

Example of Internship Sites

You will be provided with a private room. During the seven-week internship, you will live in a student village in Belfast or London/Derry and share living space with other students. Meals are provided through home stay or food stipend.

HECUA distributes three distinctive scholarships to students applying or enrolled in HECUA programs. To learn more visit HECUA Scholarship Resource Page.

Apply and Pay Application Fee of $50 online, submit a copy to the Study Abroad Office along with Saint Mary’s required paperwork.  Application may be picked up in the Study Abroad Office, Saint Mary’s Hall, Room 136.

Apply Now!

Acceptance is contingent on a thorough review of the student's application and subsequent approval from HECUA.

1.  Pay $400 non-refundable program deposit payable to SMU.
2.  Attend all orientation sessions.
3.  Obtain a passport. Submit a copy of the first page to the Study Abroad Office.
4.  Arrange travel plans. Submit a copy of your flight itinerary to the Study Abroad Office.
5.  Purchase the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) for $25 in the Study Abroad Office.

Coleraine is a large town in County Londonderry at the mouth of the River Bann. It is 56 miles northwest of Belfast and 31 miles east of Derry. It has a population of approximately 24,000.

Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland and the second largest city of Ireland. The population within city limits is approximately 276,000, and approximately 579,000 live in the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area. It is near the mouth of River Lagan and has the Castlereagh Hills on the south and the Antrim Hills on the north.

Derry (Londonderry) is the second largest city in Northern Ireland and covers both banks of the River Foyle that is connected by two bridges. The population within the city proper is approximately 83,000, and approximately 91,000 live in the Derry Urban area.

Climate
The whole of Northern Ireland has an oceanic climate, rather wetter in the west than the east, although cloud cover is persistent across the region. The weather is unpredictable at all times of the year, and although the seasons are distinct, they are considerably less pronounced than in Minnesota. Average daytime maximums are 44 °F (7 °C) in January and 64 °F (18 °C) in July.

Time
When Central Standard Time is in effect in the United States, Northern Ireland is six hours ahead.

Currency
British currency (sterling) consists of pounds (£) and pence (p), sometimes referred to as “quid” and “p." 100p = £1. Notes are issued for £5, £10, £20, and £50 and coins for 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2.

More Information

• BBC Northern Ireland News
• British Embassy
• Consulate General Belfast
• Go to Belfast
• Map of Central Belfast
• The Northern Ireland Guide
• Northern Ireland Tourist Board
• UK Travel
• US Department of State Consular Information Sheet UK