A Summer Trip to Ireland

This time of year — smack dab in the middle of winter — no one could blame us for dreaming about this summer or reminiscing about the last one. For Management students who took part in last summer’s JWU Operations Management & Process Improvement study abroad trip, it’s probably hard not to daydream about their adventures in Ireland.

Thirteen students with varying majors in the College of Business traveled to Ireland on the faculty-led study abroad program from June 1-18. They first arrived in Dublin, where they took in the sites on bus and walking tours, visited the Guinness storehouse and explored the Dublin city center.

The students spent most of the first week at the Waterford Institute of Technology where they took courses such as An Introduction to Irish History & Culture and The Importance of Sustainability, as well as several business classes. When they weren’t in class, they were out exploring historic Waterford or taking in the famous Cliffs of Moher.

“If you’ve never traveled overseas before, Ireland is a great country to visit for your first trip abroad,” said Ashley Rushing '19. “It’s a beautiful country that offers some of the most amazing sights. You get to see essentially all of Ireland on this trip and you get to try so many new things that you may have never thought you'd have the opportunity to do.”

For many students, the best part of the trip was their experience working with Cartamundi, the world’s number one producer and seller of board games and playing cards. They spent four days at the company’s Waterford headquarters working on various projects to improve the company’s operations and process.

“With such a small group of students going, everyone became a little family and we did everything together,” said Monica Williamson ’20. “It was so helpful when doing the Cartamundi projects to bounce ideas off each other, and it made sightseeing and bus rides enjoyable!” 

Though it was a valuable educational experience worth nine credits, the trip still offered students plenty of free time outside of their studying and work to enjoy Irish culture, food and landmarks.

“The Ireland Operations trip was an amazing opportunity that really solidified my desire to work in the industry,” said Elizabeth Geiss ’20. “I was able to put so much of what I learned in class into practice. In addition to working at Cartamundi, we were able to experience Irish culture and all the country had to offer.”