St Mary’s International Summer School Brings Best of Belfast to Visiting USA Students
31st Jul 2024
The annual St Mary’s summer school is a fantastic advertisement for Belfast, delivering a positive story about the diversity and inclusivity of life in the City to an international audience.
Students from the USA attending the St Mary’s Summer School return home having experienced at first hand a unique living, breathing and working museum of culture, conflict and community, delivered through an expertly curated series of events, according to St Mary’s principal Professor Peter Finn.
“The summer school is unique in that students and academic staff from universities in the USA can interact and engage directly with commentators, victims and former combatants from a very challenging time in our history. The role is to facilitate and provide context. From feedback, our US guests find this approach fascinating, captivating and enthralling with many lessons to bring home.”
“The summer school also provides a snapshot of aspects of Belfast life and perspectives from the broader population that may get overlooked, for example, the work of trade unionists, the role of women since the foundation of the state, and the role of sport in influencing change.”
Belfast Mayor Micky Murray said, “The theme of this year’s International Summer School is ‘Building Peace through Dialogue’ – and at a time when there is so much conflict in the world, it couldn’t be more apt. Peacebuilding is very much founded on inclusion and celebration of diversity, and during my year in office, I’m focusing on making Belfast a place where everyone feels welcomed and included because a more inclusive, diverse, and kinder city improves everyone’s quality of life.”
College Principal Professor Finn continued, “Added to the mix of speakers, we are delighted to draw on insights from Reverend Bill Shaw and Father Gary Donigan from their ministry and community work at the interface in North Belfast. We also feature talks on community tensions created by the views of the emerging right wing in Ireland, who oppose immigration, and an insight into the experiences of the ‘New’ Irish, people from different racial backgrounds who have made Ireland their home.”
John Brolly Marketing Manager at St Mary’s said, “We are delighted to partner with Féile an Phobail in bringing an International Summer School to the now famous and iconic festival.”
“We know from experience that the students return to their home universities with glowing testimonials about their time in Belfast and the diverse academic, cultural and social experience that they have enjoyed. Helping to market Belfast internationally is a bonus for us in promoting our own work as an educational institution committed to community engagement.”
It’s not all hard work and study. Professor Finn added, “the summer school participants also get to try their luck at traditional music, and Gaelic games. They typically enjoy the Belfast nightlife, and this year‘s itinerary includes a visit to McConnell Distillery and Crumlin Road jail. The itinerary also takes in visits to the Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the other sites in the glens of Antrim.
The Mayor concluded. “Belfast has always been proud of its universities and colleges. We can boast some of the finest third tier educational institutions in the world – and as a result, Belfast is now the destination of choice for many international students. By hosting this International Summer School in association with Féile an Phobail, St Mary’s University College is helping to create greater understanding of today’s Belfast and helping to establish a new narrative about our city and our unlimited potential. As well as focusing on their academic studies, I hope the students will also take time to relax and explore Belfast’s vibrant culture and heritage. They’re visiting at a fantastic time, with Féile underway, and during our biggest ever city-wide celebration of creativity, Belfast 2024.”
Scholars and students from the participating US universities will arrive in Belfast on the weekend of the 3/4 August to attend the annual St Mary’s International Summer School.
The International Summer School has attracted participants from the following institutions;.
- James Madison University, VA
- Bellarmine University, KY
- Merrimack College, MA
- Ohio Northern University, OH
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