Dr. Niamh Hamill is the primary lecturer for this series of classes. Niamh is the Director of the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland and a lecturer in comparative Irish studies. She has a PhD in History from Drew University NJ and an M.A. in American Studies from University College Dublin.

Niamh is head of the academic department at ISAI and drafts the syllabi and curricula for visiting student groups. The syllabus for the Global Perspectives program was selected in consultation with academic colleagues across the U.S.A to maximise the development of cultural competency and critical thinking.

We have many interviews and chats with a range of experts, lecturers and guests who have first-hand knowledge and experience of our topics- this includes poet Dr. Paula Meehan, Professor Christine Kinealy, Quinnipiac University, Professor Liam Kennedy, Professor Diane Negra, UCD, Senator Eileen Flynn, Niall O'Dowd, Don Mullan, Jounalist Úna-Minh Kavanagh (pictured), Femi Bankole, Ailbhe Smyth, Captain Bartley McFadden, John O'Connell, Rory Fallon, Conor Donnan, Syliva Rios& more. We also have site visits to many places of interest in Dublin, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim & surrounds.

Dr. Melissa Whatley is an assistant professor of international and global education at the School for International Training's Graduate Institute .

Dr. Whatley has built in an evaluation method to the Global Perspectives through the Narratives of Ireland using the Global Perspective Inventory (GPI). The GPI is a survey instrument developed at Iowa State University (https://www.gpi.hs.iastate.edu/) that measures three dimensions of global learning: cognitive, intrapersonal, and interpersonal. For the ISA evaluation, students complete the 32-item GPI at the beginning and at the end of their program to measure progress over the course of their virtual experience.

Ireland's multifaceted history includes narratives of colonization, displacement, emigration, civil rights movements, conflict resolution, peace building and the challenge of building better in the 21st century. All of these events provide us with excellent material for comparative and critical thinking about ourselves, our community, and our past, present and future

Each of the modules in this course are based on core values of empathy, cultural awareness, social justice and environmental responsibility. Students engage with each of the classes through creative assignments that will develop intercultural skills and global experiences. These are invaluable tools to take with on your future or current career path, but more importantly, make you a more informed and educated world citizen.

You may not yet have had the opportunity to travel or study abroad, but we hope that this program will encourage you to consider it. The world is full of exciting and interesting places and people. Ireland is a tiny example of all that happens outside of your country, and it will provide you with a friendly introduction into things we have in common, and the differences in our cultures. This is the beginning of a beautiful adventure!