INTRODUCTION The Belfast program, initiated in 1993, is one of a number of Education Abroad Programs conducted by Penn State in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. More than 600 students from a wide variety of majors participate annually in these programs. OBJECTIVES The Penn State Education Abroad Program for agriculture at Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, functions within the contect of the objectives characterizing all of Penn State's study abroad opportunities, especially to: 1. enable students to receive instruction in several disciplines within the contect of another culture and to enrich their general academic studies; 2. to enable students to expand their knowledge of the culture of a country or region of the world by living and studying abroad, as well as gain a more objective perspective of the values and way of life in their own country; 3. promote the educational goals of the University by providing overseas programs designed to increase the international understanding of students; 4. provide opportunities for students from cooperating universities in other countries to benefit from study at Penn State through reciprocal exchange programs. In addition, the agricultural program at Queen’s University of Belfast aims to: 1. provide students with a thorough understanding of agricultural, business, and rural development within the context of Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Europe. 2. enable students to take courses in technical agriculture with a special emphasis on Irish/European extensive grassland management systems. 3. allow students to interact with an international faculty and student body in lectures, laboratories, and other academic activities as an integrated part of the academic community at Queen’s University of Belfast. THE CITY OF BELFAST Belfast, the largest city in Northern Ireland, is a major seaport located on the east coast of the Province. The city’s name, which refers to its location, comes from the Gaelic beol feirste, meaning “the ford at the sand bank.” Situated on the river Lagan at the head of Belfast Lough, the city is a major industrial and commercial center as well as a bustling seaport. Despite its commercial and industrial importance, Belfast is only a short distance from the countryside with excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, and climbing. In the late 19th century Belfast became the center of a vigorous political movement over the union with Great Britain. When the Government of Ireland Act was passed in 1920, uniting six counties of the province of Ulster in the new state of Northern Ireland, Belfast was named the capital and Northern Ireland’s central seat of government. Students interested in this program should become familiar with the political history of Belfast. QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST The Queen’s University of Belfast was originally established as Queen’s College Belfast by Queen Victoria in 1845 as one of three colleges in Ireland. It opened with 20 professors and 90 matriculated students; now the university has over 100 professors, 800 lecturers and some 9,600 students. Situated in the inner suburbs of Belfast, the university is located only a mile from the city center. Queen’s is unique as a university in having its own International Arts Festival. Every November the Festival hosts more than 200 performances in every area of the Arts. Alongside major visiting orchestras and musicians are a wide-ranging theatre programme, jazz, and folk music. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Students participating in the Education Abroad Program at Queen’s University of Belfast may enroll for the academic year, fall, or the spring semester. Both undergraduates and graduate students in the College of Agricultural Sciences may apply for the program. Participants register for courses in the Agricultural Economics and Management program at Queen’s University and attend classes with regular Queen’s University students. While at Queen’s University, students may complete 13-18 credits each semester, the same as at Penn State. For students in agricultural business the program also includes a series of visits to agribusiness firms in Ireland and a possible study tour during the second semester to the EEC Headquarters in Brussels and to agribusiness organizations on the European mainland. GRADING As with any course at Penn State, students studying at Queen’s University will be graded by their course instructors according to their academic performance. ACCREDITATION Participants may choose courses from those available to students in the Agricultural Economics and Management program at Queen’s University. If participants elect to take a course that has not previously been accredited by Penn State, they must work with the appropriate academic department to ensure proper accreditation. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS Students are housed in university dormitories and have their meals in the dining halls. The on-site coordinator at Queen’s University is responsible for assigning students to their particular dorm rooms. ELIGIBILITY The Agricultural Economics program at Queen’s University is open to all regularly enrolled Penn State students. Applicants must be in good academic standing and must show evidence of maturity, stability, adaptability, self-discipline, and strong academic motivation. Participants are typically juniors at the time of commencing their study at Queen’s University, and should have a strong academic record. PROGRAM PREREQUISITES There are no specific course prerequisites for this program. Each student will be considered on an individual basis and courses selected to reflect the needs and aptitudes of the individual. ORIENTATION A specially designed orientation program, conducted during the semester prior to departure is intended to prepare students for the adjustment to living and studying in Belfast. Attendance is mandatory. COSTS Tuition is the same as at the University Park campus and is payable at the Bursar’s Office in accordance with the standard procedures and deadlines for regular semester charges at University Park Campus. Room and board costs are based on a double room charge at University Park Campsu and a meal payment #6 plan, and are paid to Penn State. In addition, a non-refundable program fee of $150.00 is required from each participant at the time of accepting an offer of enrollment. Round- trip air transportation is an additional cost to the student. Students are responsible for making their own flight arrangements. Textbooks and personal expenses are extra. The Office of Education Abroad Programs has a cost sheet that gives an estimate of overall expenses for each semester. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The standard forms of financial assistance are available through the Office of Student Aid. Since students remain registered at Penn State, financial aid packages continue during the period of time in which they are enrolled in this program. The Office of Education Abroad Programs coordinates closely with the Office of Student Aid to help needy students obtain funds to cover the additional costs entailed by study abroad. The Office of Education Abroad Programs also has a modest Grant- In-Aid Fund that can be drawn upon for exceptionally needy and qualified students. HEALTH INSURANCE All participants are expected to carry sufficient health and accident insurance. Personal liability insurance is strongly recommended. PLANNING AHEAD To exploit the many advantages and opportunities of a study abroad experience, it is essential that students, in consultation with their advisers, plan well in advance. With careful planning, every program participant not only gains regular Penn State credit but can also apply the credits earned abroad to general education requirements, major and minor requirements. Like all Penn State’s semester and year-long Education Abroad Programs, this program satisfies the University’s cultural diversity requirement. As part of the application process, students are required to check with their advisers or deans to discuss what impact study abroad may have on their program toward graduation. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR EDUCATION ABROAD ADVISER OR: Professor Milton B. Hallberg 208B Armsby Building University Park, PA 16802-5601 Tel: (814) 863-8634 or Office of Education Abroad Programs 222 Boucke Building University Park, PA 16802-5900 Tel: (814) 865-7681