Logistics and Details

This trip itinerary was designed to align with the goals and missions of the Parlee Center for Science and the Common Good and the Hub for Civic and Global Leadership.

Climate policy should be shaped by climate science, but many people (scientists included) fail to understand that science must be weighed alongside other factors (e.g., economics, geopolitics, social programs) when making policy decisions. Learning about the diverse array of considerations that impact climate policy at the local and national levels will help students understand the role of science in government decision-making, ultimately making them better advocates for science-based policy. Furthermore, by considering how social biases, norms, and historical context impact how different communities experience climate change, students will learn how policies can be designed to ensure maximum benefit to society.

• Panel discussion with government officials advancing climate and environmental policy

• Visit to a local business focused on the circular economy and sustainability

• Guided hike of Howth seashore and boat tour around Ireland’s eye

• Museum visit(s) and/or Irish cooking class

• Walking tour of Dublin, including sites such as Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Christ Church, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral

All participants must have a valid U.S. passport. We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date (i.e., through September 2027 for this program), even though Ireland’s entry requirements may not always require six months of validity. If you do not yet have a passport or need to renew one, plan to apply as early as possible. Ursinus will host a Passport Application Event on campus in early September, providing a convenient opportunity to apply for a new passport or submit a renewal (if eligible).

Students should expect approximately 10–12 hours of total travel time, including a nonstop overnight flight from the U.S. East Coast to Dublin (about 6.5–7 hours) plus airport check-in, customs, and ground transportation. Dublin is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Time, so students should anticipate some jet lag during the first day of the program. The itinerary is designed to allow time to adjust while beginning to explore Dublin.

Students should pack lightly and bring luggage they can manage independently through airports, sidewalks, hotel lobbies, and public transit areas. Students are responsible for their own passports, phones, wallets, medications, and personal belongings throughout the program.

Students will stay in a Dublin hotel arranged through the program provider. Final hotel details, including the hotel name, rooming arrangements, and exact location, will be shared with participants closer to departure.

Students should expect shared student accommodations, typically double or multi-person rooms depending on hotel availability and final program arrangements. Faculty leaders and/or on-site staff will also be housed with or near the group.

While in Dublin, the group should expect to travel primarily by walking and public transportation, with possible private coach transportation from airport transfers or excursions. Students should be prepared to navigate a busy urban environment, move efficiently as a group, and follow all instructions from faculty leaders and on-site staff.

Because hotel rooms in European cities may be smaller than typical U.S. hotel rooms, students should avoid overpacking. A manageable suitcase and a small day bag are recommended.

March is a transitional weather month in Dublin. You may experience “four seasons in a day,” ranging from brisk sunshine to sudden cold snaps, high winds, and brief downpours. Average daily high temperatures are often around 50 °F, while lows can drop to around 39 °F.

Students should pack:

• Comfortable walking shoes.

• A rain jacket or waterproof outer layer.

• Warm layers, such as sweaters or fleece.

• A compact umbrella.

• Clothing appropriate for cultural site visits, group dinners, and professional meetings.

• Any needed medications in original containers.

• Travel adapters for Ireland/UK-style outlets.

• A small day bag for daily activities.

• Snacks, especially for students with specific dietary needs.

We strongly encourage participants to pack light and limit their luggage to one carry-on-sized bag and one personal item whenever possible. Traveling with minimal luggage makes it easier to navigate airports, group transportation, and program activities. If you choose to check a bag, please be aware that checked luggage may be delayed, misplaced, or otherwise disrupted during travel. Keep essential items, medications, travel documents, and valuables in your carry-on and plan accordingly.

Participants should be prepared for a moderately active program. Daily activities will involve substantial walking (often 3–6 miles per day), extended periods of standing during tours and site visits, and frequent use of stairs. While Dublin is a modern, walkable city, many historic buildings, museums, and cultural sites have uneven surfaces, cobblestones, narrow walkways, and limited elevator access.

Transportation will primarily consist of walking and public transit (bus and rail), with occasional private coach transportation for excursions outside the city. Students should be comfortable navigating airports, carrying their own luggage, and keeping pace with the group while traveling. Participants with mobility concerns, medical conditions, or accessibility needs are encouraged to discuss accommodations with the program director well in advance of departure so that appropriate planning can be made.

Students are expected to follow all health and safety guidance provided by Ursinus, the faculty leaders, WorldStrides, and any on-site staff or local partners. This includes all required orientations, remaining with the group during scheduled programming, prompt communication if issues arise, and following expectations for independent time.

Students with medical conditions, mental health needs, religious accommodations, dietary restrictions, severe allergies, or accessibility concerns should communicate with the program director as early as possible to appropriate planning can occur.

Since the program is six days long, each day of our itinerary will be fairly full, but at least one afternoon or evening of free time will be built into the schedule to facilitate your own exploration (in small groups) or to rest.

During independent time, students must travel in small groups, keep their phones charged, share their plans with faculty leaders, remain in approved areas, and return to the hotel or meeting points by the designated time. Independent time is part of the learning experience and depends on students demonstrating responsible behavior throughout the program.

Students should use independent time respectfully and safely, remembering that they are representing Ursinus while abroad.

Ireland offers a wide variety of dining options, and vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other common dietary needs can generally be accommodated. Students will be asked to disclose any dietary restrictions, food allergies, or medical dietary requirements well in advance of departure so that accommodations can be communicated to hotels, restaurants, and program partners whenever possible. While every reasonable effort will be made to meet documented dietary needs, students with severe allergies or highly specialized diets should be prepared to discuss their needs with the program leader before committing to the program and may wish to bring specialty snacks or other appropriate foods for travel days.

Students observing Ramadan or other religious dietary practices should speak with the faculty leaders in advance so that reasonable accommodations can be explored when possible, including considerations around meal timing, prayer space, and the pace of itinerary.

As the primary language in Dublin is English, students on this itinerary can experience international travel without the stress of a language barrier. As with any travel experience, students should be prepared to encounter and respectfully adapt to different cultural norms, customs, and social expectations, approaching new experiences with curiosity, flexibility, and an openness to learning from the communities they visit. Students should also expect to encounter different accents, vocabulary, communication styles, and cultural references.

Students are expected to:

• Attend all required pre-departure meetings.

• Participate fully in all scheduled programming.

• Arrive on time for group departures and activities.

• Remain respectful during site visits, performances, workshops, and community engagements.

• Follow all instructions from faculty leaders, on-site staff, and local partners.

• Travel in small groups during independent time.

• Communicate promptly with leaders if they are ill, delayed, uncomfortable, or in need of assistance.

• Represent Ursinus respectfully while abroad.
  
  
• Approach all communities with humility, care, and ethical awareness. Be mindful of how to observe, ask questions, take photographs, and discuss the people and communities they encounter.

Students will participate in guided reflection before, during, and after the program. Reflection may include journaling, group discussion, observational field notes, or short written responses connecting program experiences to broader themes of identity, humanity, democracy, advocacy, and global citizenship.

After returning to campus, students will participate in a post-travel meeting to discuss what they learned, how their perspectives changed, and how the experience connects to future academic, civic, professional, or creative goals.

The final itinerary is subject to change, but students can expect most days to include:

• Breakfast and morning meetings

• Morning site visit, workshop, walking tour, or guided activity

• Lunch or independent meal time
  
  
• Afternoon cultural, professional, or social impact activity
  
  
• Faculty-led discussion, group debrief, dinner, performance, or independent evening time