The Irish Media Experience offers students a unique opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the culture and media systems in one of the most dynamic environments in Europe: The Republic of Ireland.

Article by Maddie Tyler, AKSM News

WEST CHESTER, PA - Lauren Kirkpatrick - who is a rising senior at West Chester University - recently took over the University’s Instagram account to present highlights from her recent tour in Ireland. Lauren contributed snapshots, videos, and answers to viewer questions on the Rams Abroad story series published by the University.

The trip was  part of Media in Ireland, a course offered by the University’s Department of Communications and Media in the Republic of Ireland. 

This Summer, fifteen students from a variety of majors visited professional media organizations, including television networks, radio stations and newspaper offices, in Limerick, Galway and Dublin. In addition to their media studies, students visited some of the major landmarks in Ireland, including the Cliffs of Moher, the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol and King John's Castle.

The Irish Media Experience offers students a unique opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the culture and media systems in one of the most dynamic environments in Europe: The Republic of Ireland. Through a combination of learning modalities students will learn about the Easter Rising in 1916 and other significant events that have significantly impacted Irish newspapers, films, music, broadcast stations and internet operations. The course allows students - like Lauren - to experience these media by meeting and talking with major media figures. These include newspaper reporters and editors, radio hosts, as well as people in the public relations, advertising, and film-making industries. The organizers of the course don’t simply invite them into the classroom – they will go to where they work to allow students to talk with them about their jobs and consider the role and evolution of media in the nation.

The other goal of the course is to introduce students to Ireland itself – the castles, pubs, prisons, rivers, bridges and government strongholds that make the country what it is today. Throughout the eighteen days in Ireland, students will get to know the Irish culture, landmarks, history and, above all, people who make this such a vibrant part of the European Union.