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• FAQs
• Why Study Abroad?
• 2009 Freshman Abroad Orientation Program
• New Student Orientation

In September 2008 our fifth group of Freshman Abroad Program students boarded a flight at Boston’s Logan Airport, bound for the University of Limerick in Ireland. They’ll be accompanied by one of our senior PSU faculty member, who will remain in Ireland for the semester, serving as their instructor for two Plymouth State courses. The remaining three courses — from the Limerick curriculum — are all pre-approved to dovetail with our students’ degree programs at PSU.

Freshman Abroad Program students live in Kilmurry Village on the University of Limerick campus. PSU students are placed with Irish students as well as other international students in these six-eight person townhouse units. Learn more about the University of Limerick campus facilities.

Is this Program Right for You?

If you are a self-motivated student who is comfortable making friends, exploring new environments, making independent decisions and solving problems, The Freshman Abroad Program may be right for you.

This program is only available to first-semester, traditional university freshmen. Non-traditional students and transfers are invited to explore our full-range of study abroad options by contacting The Bagley Center.

Here is what some of our recent students had to say:

Pamela Felie, Old Saybrook CT
"I chose the Limerick program because it is a unique and rare experience for college students. I also have always wanted to study abroad, but have known that with my major, going abroad would have been impossible. The Limerick program basically solved my dilemma by allowing me to study abroad my freshman year where I take general courses rather than my junior year where my harder more in depth classes lie."

Heidi Van Curen, Derry NH
"I wanted to experience a new culture, and what better way to experience a culture than diving into it head first? I also love to travel, so going to college and traveling at the same time was perfect, and I am so glad that I decided to come."

Noah Tipton, Portland ME
"I had been considering taking a year off to travel, but felt that it would be hard to get back into the student mind state after such a long break. When I received the program brochure in the mail, it seemed like the perfect opportunity."

Devin Bell, Minot ND
"When I first heard about the opportunity to go abroad my first semester, I didn’t think it was the right thing for me. After considering the benefits it would give me in the long run, I decided that it would be an incredible experience. I knew I wanted to go abroad while I was in college so why not my first semester? "

Courtney Webb, East Middlebury VT
"I felt it was a unique experience and the opportunity of a lifetime. I felt that this program would help me create a close bond with other students. I wanted to learn a new culture and compare it to the American culture. I also wanted to get a feel of the education system in Ireland. I knew this opportunity is very unique for freshman entering their first semester of college."

Brett Lucas, Lakeville MA
"As the job market grows more competitive and a simple college degree becomes less than the norm, I felt that this program was one great way that I could set myself apart from others entering the job market at the same time as I will be. I have some Irish heritage and a high interest in the global economy and traveling to Ireland was an immeasurable experience for me. Feel free to join our facebook group "University of Limerick Freshman Abroad Program"."

For more information and an application, contact:

Debra Regan
Director, Freshman Abroad Program
(603)535-2336
dregan@plymouth.edu

Application Deadline: April 30, 2009