IRELAND & SCOTLAND
Celtic Agriculture & Horticulture

Explore Celtic agriculture and horticulture in golf courses, historic sites, national gardens, processors and farms in and around Ireland and Scotland.

 

About the Program

The program features a two week study abroad component to Ireland and Scotland in the United Kingdom, with mandatory pre- and post-travel class meetings regarding the course subjects.

Students will explore historical, social, economic and environmental issues as a comparative study of agronomy, horticulture, plant production and utilization, and animal science as well as related issues to agriculture and food industries as they exist and are practiced in the United States. Various marketing and production sites will be visited.

Emphasis will be on innovations in crop and livestock production, garden and landscape development, value-added marketing, turf and golf, as well as environmental stewardship.

Students will interact with officials of government, professors, producers and marketers of agricultural products and agriculture leaders in Ireland and Scotland.

Anticipated Learning Outcomes

• Compare agricultural variables between Ireland & Scotland and the US
• Develop an appreciation for horticultural preservation as it is practiced in the UK
• Investigate the environmental parameters and innovations that have led to current maize production in the UK
• Determine the practices and problems of plant and animal production in the UK versus the US
• Distinguish between the value of grains grown in the UK as a raw crop and as value-added products; compare to the products of KY
• Describe the approach to landscapes and the variety of gardens seen in the UK
• Experience living in another culture
• Adapt knowledge learned to further success in your field of study

Highlights

• Students will have the opportunity to visit both Ireland and Scotland in the United Kingdom as part of the program.
• Students may choose to depart back to the United States after the first part of the program ends in Dublin, Ireland.

Program Requirements 

• Complete the Study Abroad & Global Learning application process on TopNet prior to being registered in this course. We suggest you start this application process immediately and respond to all emails promptly.
• Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Students enrolled in AGRI 675 are required to identify a topic relevant to their graduate work (must be approved by the instructor and student's major professor at least 6 weeks prior to departure) for which they will prepare a scholarly review paper. See syllabus for more information..

Eligibility

The Program Leaders may determine other eligibility requirements, but at a minimum, all applicants need to meet these requirements:

• Current WKU student eligible to register for WKU courses
• Students from outside WKU may participate as visiting students
• Good academic standing (Undergraduate Catalog p.27; Graduate Catalog p.30)
• 18 years of age or older at time of departure (parent/guardian permission for anyone under 18 at time of departure)
• Possess passport valid for at least six (6) months after FLSA return date
• No current disciplinary sanctions as verified by Judicial Affairs
• Full payment (or signed payment agreement) prior to departure
• Completion of all pre-departure orientation
• Permission of instructor(s).
• Complete the Study Abroad & Global Learning application process on TopNet prior to being registered in this course. We suggest you start this application process immediately and respond to all emails promptly.

Program Package

Includes:

• Tuition for 3 credit hours ($1,059 value for resident undergraduates – see Summer Session costs)
• Round-trip airfare
• Accommodations
• Some meals
• Some excursions
• Transportation between Ireland and Scotland
• International medical insurance.

Not included in program fee:

• Transportation from home to the U.S. departure airport /return from airport to your home.
• Tips and personal expenses.
• Cost of independent travel (non-program travel).

*  Final program fee subject to change due to travel arrangements. 

 Logistical Considerations

• The course includes a group flight that originates and returns to Nashville.
• Independent travel (before and/or after the programs start and end date) is permitted with prior notification to Program Leaders. There may be medical insurance issues to deal with, as well as changes to the airline reservations (with possible additional cost to participant), so advanced notice is required.
• This program has a 3 or 6 credit option.  Program costs cover only the 3 credit option.  If students wish to participate in the 6 credit option there is an additional charge of $553.

Planned Itinerary

June 16	Depart from Nashville, TN (BNA Airport)
June 17	Arrive Dublin, Ireland, Tour Sights (Kilhamaneon Gaol, Guiness Brewery)
June 18	Pick up by Chartered Coach, to rural locations, visit Johnstown Castle
June 19	Visit MaizeTech Ltd. and maize and wheat farms
June 20	Visit the Barrens, Cliffs of Mohr and sheep and beef operations
June 21	Visit Ulster and dairy farms in the region, Discuss policy with Mr. Doug Rowe
June 22	Visit livestock farms, museum of rural life
June 23	Participants returning to USA board flight in Dublin. Participants continuing on to Scotland board ferry to Stirling
June 24	Tour Stirling Castle & Gardens, Wallace Monument
June 25	Visit Benmore Gardens
June 26	Visit Scottish Highlands
June 27	Visit Golf courses and Logan Gardens
June 28	Visit local farms
June 29	Travel to Edinburgh to tour Castle, visit Farmer's Market
June 30	Board flight in Edinburgh, Scotland and return to Nashville, TN, USA

* subject to change

 

Contact us to learn more.