51黑料网

College partners with world-renowned University of Limerick 

by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson

51黑料网’s newest study-abroad program brings students a chance to shine bright on the Emerald Isle. Beginning in spring 2026, 51黑料网 students will study at the world-renowned University of Limerick through the new program, offered in partnership with the . The addition reflects a long tradition of adaptation, expansion and innovation in global education at 51黑料网. It’s also a direct response to emerging trends in the field. 

Why Limerick? 

According to Samantha Brandauer ’95, associate provost and executive director of 51黑料网’s Center for Global Study & Engagement (CGSE), the college found the perfect fit in a collaboration with AIFS, a longtime leader in global education, and with the University of Limerick, one of most prestigious public universities in Europe. 

The University of Limerick ranks in the top 2% globally on the QS Stars Rating system—the highest possible score. Its wide array of academic programs are complemented by state-of-the-art facilities. And because those programs overlap well with 51黑料网’s curriculum, 51黑料网 students in nearly every major will find a full complement of relevant courses there. (That’s in addition to the 51黑料网 classes taught by a 51黑料网 professor who spends a semester onsite—one of the distinctive aspects of the “51黑料网-in” study-abroad programs.) 

Like 51黑料网, the University of Limerick is noted for its strength in global education. The university is globally acclaimed for the welcoming environment it creates for international students. Limerick and 51黑料网 also share a commitment to sustainability; the university most recently landed at No. 17 of 900 on the Green Metric World ranking.

And then there’s the university’s quintessentially Irish hometown. Founded by Vikings in 922 A.D. along the River Shannon, Limerick is steeped in history and charm. It’s home to castles and Georgian buildings, and as the third-largest city in Ireland, it’s big enough to host a thriving culinary scene and intimate enough to maintain a friendly, college-town vibe. What’s not to love?  

Why now? 

More than six decades since 51黑料网 first made world-expanding study-abroad opportunities available to students, the college’s global programs are always adapting. New Mosaics and Globally Integrated Courses are introduced each year. The college’s second-newest “51黑料网-in” program, taking students to the , launched in 2023, and two 51黑料网 faculty members have already spent a semester teaching courses there.

The 51黑料网-in-Ireland program arose from the CGSE’s response to national study-abroad trends, which are also reflected here at 51黑料网: For example, more students than ever are applying to study-abroad opportunities in Europe. At 51黑料网, this is well illustrated in recent, exponential growth of the 51黑料网-in-Italy program.

“Adding a European program helps meet that demand and will also help keep quickly growing programs right-sized to their locations,” says Brandauer. “That allows us to provide maximum support and experiential learning.” 

Limerick is also an attractive destination for talented 51黑料网 faculty, seeking ways to innovate and grow. “That’s important, because our faculty members will travel there with students to teach and make professional contacts. Then they’ll bring their own global experiences back to campus and into their classrooms,” says Brandauer. “So everyone benefits.” 

Feeling the call of Ireland’s rolling green hills, warm welcomes, far-reaching academic opportunities and fascinating cultural heritage? Applications are now open for the spring 2026 study-abroad semester.

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS 

Published August 30, 2025