Immerse yourself in the literary traditions of Ireland and England with this January Term study abroad program offered by AIFS Abroad in partnership with Fairfield University. Over 16 days, you'll spend 8 nights in Dublin and 7 nights in London, exploring how storytelling shapes national identity through the works of celebrated authors, playwrights, and poets. This isn't a passive lecture course—you'll study in the halls of Trinity College Dublin, attend performances at the historic Abbey Theatre and West End theaters, and engage in creative writing workshops led by faculty approved by Fairfield University who travel with you throughout the program.

In Dublin, your coursework centers on Irish literary giants including W.B. Yeats, James Joyce, Seamus Heaney, and contemporary authors like Sally Rooney. You'll visit the James Joyce Center, explore the Museum of Literature, and participate in poetry slams at authentic Irish pubs. The program includes a guided tour of the Leprechaun Museum for an immersive storytelling experience and a full-day excursion to the Wicklow Mountains where you'll receive a tutorial on Yeats and visit the stunning Powerscourt Gardens. You'll also experience Irish culture firsthand with a welcome dinner featuring live Irish music and dance.

Your journey continues in London, where you'll analyze Victorian literature through the lens of Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, including a walking tour of Jack the Ripper's historical London. You'll study Virginia Woolf and take a Mrs. Dalloway walking tour through Bloomsbury, enjoy traditional afternoon tea, and explore contemporary London through authors like Zadie Smith and Kae Tempest. The program incorporates cultural experiences such as guided visits to the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, and British Museum, as well as explorations of multicultural neighborhoods including a tasting tour at Shepherds Bush market and a street art tour of East London.

The program includes 3 semester credits of academic work toward your degree, with your course titled "Narrating the Nation" framing national identity through literary analysis. All housing is provided in shared rooms in student residences or tourist-class hotels in both cities, and your fees cover flights between Dublin and London, travel passes in both cities, and all cultural and academic activities listed in the itinerary. You'll receive 24/7 emergency support, comprehensive insurance, and access to pre-departure resources and cultural orientation. An optional travel package includes round-trip flights from 25 U.S. gateways and airport transfers, with prices ranging from $1,580 to $2,040 depending on your departure city.

This program is open to first-year through senior undergraduates with a minimum 2.5 GPA. It's ideal for English, literature, and humanities majors, as well as any student interested in exploring how literature reflects and shapes cultural identity. With rolling admissions, you can expect acceptance confirmation within 2 working days of completing all required materials. The application deadline is October 1, 2026, for the January 2027 session, with a deposit due October 31, 2026, and final payment due November 15, 2026.