THE NORTHERN IRELAND PROGRAM

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NORTHERN IRELAND is a gloriously green, romantic countryside, with spectacular coasts and mountains; an ancient land with a rich historical and cultural tradition and some of the friendliest people anywhere! Dozens of small towns are hidden away among the green places of the countryside and there are many fishing villages along the shores. Distinctive field patterns are especially striking as are the ruined castles. These were built from the 12th century onwards and are now among Ulster’s finest architectural treasures. Northern Ireland is a small province with three historic cities of Belfast, Londonderry and Armagh; the Mountains of Mourne and Strangford Lough; the Causeway Coast and the Glens of Antrim; the Fermanagh Lakeland in the west and the Sperrin Mountains.

THE CITY OF BELFAST is the capital of Northern Ireland and has a population of nearly half a million people, which is a third of Northern Ireland’s total population. Belfast was the starting point of the industrial revolution in Ulster and the development of industries like linen, rope-making and shipbuilding doubled the size of the town every ten years. It has the world’s largest dry dock and the giant cranes of the shipyard tower over the port. A great deal is being done today to transform the city and the river front. Much of the city centre is pedestrianised, with benches where you can stop to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds. There are many lavish Victorian and Edwardian buildings, with elaborate sculptures over doors and windows that are worth seeing. The main shopping area of Belfast is dominated by the City Hall, built around 1903, in the grand Classical Renaissance style, with an Italian marble interior.

STRANMILLIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE , QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST , NORTHERN IRELAND , UK
Stranmillis is one of the most attractive college campuses in the British Isles . It occupies a completely enclosed site of great natural beauty - the grounds consist of 46 acres of woodland, richly endowed with wildlife. Stranmillis University College was founded in 1922 to provide state-funded training in the northern portion of the then recently partitioned island. Facilities have been much extended and improved in the last seventy years. These now include the Main Building , the Henry Garret Building , the Orchard Building and the Central Building . These provide the administration and the general specialist teaching accommodation. In addition there are modern Halls of Residence and Refectory, a Drama Theatre, Information Technology Centre, Learning Resources Unit, Language and Literacy Workshop, Conference Hall, Library with seating for 300 readers and a stock of over 100,000 items as well as a Language Laboratory. Stranmillis House now contains the Student’s Union , the College Club and various common rooms. U.S. students will live on-campus in Stranmillis residence halls, and use local transportation to get to and from schools.

IN THE LOCAL AREA
Only a few minutes walk away, towards the city centre, are the cafes, restaurants and shops of Stranmillis Village . The "Village", as it is known is the home of the Lyric Players Theatre, acclaimed for its adventurous programme policy and its high quality productions. Just beyond the Village are the Botanic Gardens with their renowned Victorian Palm House, an elegant structure of curved glass and cast iron dating from 1839. Adjoining the Botanic Gardens is the Ulster Museum , famous for its collections of antiquities, its art galleries and specialist exhibitions. Next is the Queen’s University of Belfast whose original building from 1849 still forms the Tudor-Gothic facade of the University. Charles Lanyon who designed most of the notable buildings in Belfast designed the University. Just beyond the university area is the bustling nightlife of Belfast ’s "Golden Mile" of entertainment, with its Grand Opera House, Concert Hall, theatres, cinemas and a large variety of restaurants.

 TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME
The College's track record in teacher education since 1922 has been second to none. Teacher education at pre-service and in-service levels is the primary focus. The four year, full-time BEd degree prepares students to teach in nursery, primary and special schools, as well as the BEd for those wishing to teach Business Studies, Religious Studies and Technology and Design in the secondary and further education sectors. One year, full-time PGCE courses are available for intending educational psychologists and Early Years specialists.

The Bachelor of Education degree of Queen’s University comprises a total of 24 modules (6 in each of the four years) of Education and a main subject. For students intending to teach in primary schools, Curriculum Studies forms a third strand to the degree. For students intending to teach in the post-primary sector, a subsidiary subject is studied during the first two years. Main subject – 8 modules, Curriculum studies – 8 modules, Education studies – 6 modules, School based work – 2 modules. Primary students chose one of the following main subjects: art and design, dramatic art with English, English, geography, history, information technology, mathematics, music, physical education, religious studies and science. Students spend 32 weeks in practical training. Secondary students have 10 modules of Main subject, 4 of Subsidiary subject, 8 of Educational studies and 2 of School based work. Secondary students chose one of the following main subjects: business studies, religious studies, or technology and design. Secondary students also chose one of the following subsidiary subjects: English, geography, physical education, music, history, information technology, mathematics, or art, and spend 32 weeks of practical training. The BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies degree is offered in response to both national and local recognition of the need for qualified professionals to undertake the demanding and complex roles involved in supporting, caring for and educating young children. It has been developed by a group of experienced professionals in consultation with representatives from the voluntary sector. The course is organised on a modular basis with the students’ workplace experience forming the ‘core’ of the degree. Supporting modules will provide opportunities for the development of the key skills of reflection, analysis and research. Elective tutorials will ensure that the individual needs of students are catered for and fully supported. The degree has been planned as a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies which will provide the essential knowledge and experience for work with young children in a variety of establishments and contexts e.g. inspection and review, childcare, family centre, pre-school and social work.

AT-RISK IN NORTHERN IRELAND
Two major issues impact educational achievement in Northern Ireland . (1) Education is selective. In the final year of primary education, at age eleven, the majority of school pupils sit examinations papers in English, maths and science. On the basis of the results, some thirty percent of the year group are offered a place at a grammar school, to which pupils will proceed to university and professional occupations. The other two-thirds of the population are deemed to have “failed” this first hurdle and will have less prestigious career opportunities (Gallagher, 2003). (2) Education is segregated by religious affiliation. The vast majority of the school population attends schools controlled by the Education or Library Boards which are open to all, but are mostly Protestant children. The other schools are maintained by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools and attended by only Roman Catholic children. There are a few other schools which are integrated, Irish medium, or independent Christian schools (Gallagher, 2000).  Research has found a marked correlation between social disadvantage and achievement. Since 2001, Catholic maintained grammar and secondary schools have out performed Other maintained schools at the A level.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This program provides students with several school practice opportunities: (1) work with children at-risk of failing academically, (2) work in academically advanced schools, (3) work in single-gender schools in and around Belfast , Northern Ireland , or (4) work in a mainstream classroom.

TIME FRAME
Block IV - Second half of fall semester (mid-October to end of semester) or second half of spring semester (mid-March to the end of the semester). 8 weeks total. Arrive back in the states in time for graduation or stay on in Europe and travel independently. Block II and III – Full semester, spring and fall.

ELIGIBILITY
Open to all Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education, Middle School, and Secondary majors who are in good academic standing. Block IV applicants must have finished all of their professional coursework and blocks, including special blocks such as Early Childhood and Special Education, as well as completion of all professional portfolio/TWS requirements at the end of Block III. Block II and III students must have been admitted to the teacher education program at the time of application. Only students who have shown exemplary academic performance should apply for this challenging program. 

SE303 STUDY ABROAD SEMINAR
All students planning to participate in this student teaching opportunity must enroll in this 2-credit course the semester before their Block II, II, or IV semester. This seminar provides students with information about their host culture and the educational system. This course must be successfully completed the semester prior to the study abroad semester.

COLLEGE CLASSES
Block II and III students must have approved, register and make arrangements for their semester program with their SEMO professors during the preceding semester.  Block IV students register for student teaching as they would if they were completing their student teaching in Missouri .

SCHOOL PLACEMENTS AND SUPERVISION
Placements for this program are made individually. You will be placed in a primary or secondary school in and around Belfast . Supervision of your student teaching is done by a Stranmillis faculty member. For Block II and III students, the practicum experience mirrors the requirements needed for Block II or III classes, but may not have the exact same structure that it would have at SEMO. You may do more coursework in the first half with more concentrated field experiences in the latter half of the semester, or you may be working one or two days per week in your field setting right away.  Expectations for teaching will be the same, e.g., you will engage in general class teaching, i.e., preparing lessons and teaching the whole class; identify a small group of “at risk” students for whom you will design a special curriculum to address “at risk” needs; and act as an assistant teacher when not teaching by being proactive in helping the teacher as needed doing classroom teaching, but not act as a teacher’s aide. You will prepare and hand in all assignments as required by professors, e.g., textbook, field, teacher work sample (TWS), journals, and portfolio assignments. Block IV students will complete 8 weeks of student teaching, i.e., 5 full days per week. As part of your professional experiences in Block II, III, or IV, you will also have opportunities to visit other schools that may have unique and interesting programs, or are taught in other languages.

HOUSING AND TRANSPORT
You will live on-campus in a residence hall at the Stranmillis University College, Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, and have access to the cafeteria, either as included in the price of your program (Block IV) or pay as you go (Block II and III). Your accommodation will generally be a single room. In the residence hall, where you will have access to basic cooking facilities as well as campus facilities, e.g., library, computer labs, and recreation facilities. You could have transportation provided to your school, you may be within walking distance, or you may have to use public transportation. 

COST

q       Room and board on campus in an on-campus residence hall: $1500-2000.

q       Airfare: Estimated between $800-1000 for round-trip airfare.

q       Passport fee: $100

q       Personal expenses: Estimated at $2000-3000 based on previous students’ experiences, and current exchange rates in Northern Ireland .

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
There are many ways to finance your trip abroad so that you do not have to pay any money out of your own pocket, provided that YOU begin at least six months before the start of your program. Please note that Southeast is NOT responsible for finding financial assistance for you.

q       SEMO scholarships and loans: Any SEMO scholarships or loans that you have that help pay for your education can be applied to this experience since it is a requirement for graduation and state certification. Also, there are several SEMO scholarships specifically designated for study abroad. See: http://www5.semo.edu/international/Wales/scholars.htm

You should also consider the numerous endowed scholarships also available to education majors. See:
http://www6.semo.edu/sfs/Scholarships/endowed/htm

q       National Scholarships: There are two national scholarships, IIE ($1000+) and Gilman ($2,400-5,000), which are available. IIE is merit-based, while Gilman is need-based. SEMO students have received both IIE and Gilman. See:  http://www5.semo.edu/international

q       State Scholarships: There are three state scholarships for education majors administered through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE): the Missouri Teacher Education Scholarship, the Missouri Minority Teaching Scholarship, and the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship. For more information about these scholarships go to: http://www.dese.state.mo.us/divteachqual/scholarships

q       Mini-grants: Your local service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Jaycees, Zonta, etc.) are always willing to support educational endeavors such as this. By following instructions at: http://www5.semo.edu/international you can learn how to apply for these grants. Many students in the past have benefited from these grants, some having their entire program paid for, others receiving up to $1200.

q       Bank account: Open a savings account today and start putting away a few dollars every week. You’d be surprised how much you will have when you are ready to leave for your student teaching experience!

q       Graduation and birthday gifts: If you know that graduation and birthday gifts are coming your way, you might suggest that they be in the form of travel-related items such as luggage, travel gear, passport fees, or any other type of expense you might want to cover.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Dr. Jean Benton, Director of International Programs, College of Education
Southeast Missouri State University
Scully 240
Mailbox – Scully 245
(573) 651-2440
jbenton@semo.edu

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
April 1 for the Spring program
October 1 for the Fall program
Send application to Dr. Jean Benton  

http://www.stran-ni.ac.uk

THE WALES PROGRAM