Western Washington University
09/23/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2025 16:33
Abroad: Linguistics students immerse themselves in Irish language, culture and identity overseas
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Abroad: Linguistics students immerse themselves in Irish language, culture and identity overseas
September 23, 2025
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Students walk at Port Arthur Beach, County Donegal.
Last summer, 18 students from Western Washington University had the opportunity to travel to Ireland and take part in an immersive learning experience centered on the history of Irish language, history, power, and identity.
Chair and Professor of Linguistics Kristin Denham facilitated the month-long Global Learning Program.
Before heading to Gaoth Dobhair, Denham provided a weeklong introduction to Irish history as well as a space for classmates to get to know one another.
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Students pose in front of a "Free Derry" sign in Derry, Northern Ireland.
Once in Ireland, in collaboration with the University of Galway, students had daily Gaelic classes, excursions, and meals with host families, experiencing first-hand how deeply the Irish language is woven into life and culture in the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking region of Ireland). Many local experts shared insights on topics such as language policy, translation, law, media, archives, and the preservation of Irish music and folklore in popular culture.
After two weeks of immersion in Gaoth Dobhair, students spent a week in Galway, where they continued their studies, engaged with more local experts, and explored the vibrant city. This final week also offered time to reflect on and apply their learning to their own academic interests.
For more details about the faculty led Ireland Global Learning Program, visit Western's Education Abroad website.
Fairhaven College's Niall Ó Murchú will run the program in summer of 2026, and Denham again in 2027.
Western Washington University published this content on September 23, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 23, 2025 at 22:33 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]