Honors Students Immersed In Ireland During Spring Break Trip

A trip to Ireland was “a wee bit of craic” for 14 Saint Leo University Honors Program students along with faculty members who traveled to the country during spring break 2025. Not only was the trip fun, but it was immersive, giving the students the opportunity to experience the culture, locations, architecture, and more in person ­— all things they’ve been studying in the Honors Program special topics course Ireland: Celtic Canvas (Honors 300). 

“When [Dr.] Dan DuBois and I took over leadership of Honors, we decided one of our primary goals was to increase the emphasis on global citizenship within the Honors Program,” said Dr. Elisabeth Aiken, associate director of the program and an associate professor of English. “The goal to launch an international trip was set in the summer of 2023, and we began planning for this trip soon thereafter.” 

Saint Leo’s popular Honors Program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum in which students learn how to think critically, how to understand multiple perspectives, and how to communicate clearly and effectively.

“This trip aligned with the Honors Program by immersing us in a different part of the world, broadening our perspectives, and deepening our understanding of global citizenship,” said Wren Chretien, a senior marketing major, who will graduate magna cum laude in May. “It provided a valuable opportunity for personal growth, cultural awareness, and expanded knowledge of the world around us.” 

While they may be high achieving students, that didn’t stop them from scoffing at the thought of making class presentations about Ireland. “The students all rolled their eyes at presentations while we were here [on campus] but hearing them recognize their ‘places’ while we were there was priceless,” Aiken said. 

Each student presented on a place and an aspect of Irish culture. 

For Chretien, that’s where the craic comes in — her presentation on Irish culture was about Irish slang. Three phrases she learned about and later heard frequently while in Ireland were “grand,” meaning “fine” or “adequate,” or like saying something is OK; “G’wan,” a faster way to say, “go on,” and “craic,” meaning “fun.” 

Other culture topics included language; mythology and folklore; traditional music; traditional and modern architecture; cuisine; and travel tips. The students presented and then visited Trim Castle, Trim and County Meath; Galway and County Galway; County Kerry and the Ring of Kerry; the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary; Kilkenny and County Kilkenny; Blarney Castle in Cork; and Dublin where they visited Trinity College and The Book of Kells, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Guinness storehouse, and Dublin Castle. 

They started their journey on March 14 and were treated to a sunrise over the Irish Sea. The Saint Leo group also celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland. “We were busy!” Aiken said. “And students did various other things on their own time.” 

Chretien’s Irish location presentation was on Blarney Castle, famous for its Blarney Stone, a block of limestone set into a tower of the castle in 1446, which when kissed is said to give the person “eloquence” and the “gift of gab.” The Saint Leo senior did perform the traditional ritual of climbing the tower then leaned over backward on the parapet's edge. But she didn’t quite bring her lips to the stone! 

Benefits of Travel and Study Abroad

Ireland was a clear choice to ease the Honors Program into regular international travel, Aiken said. “It’s accessible to students — the flight isn’t too long, they speak the same language, and it’s somewhat familiar to everyone,” she said. “I knew we’d be traveling to small towns, which students tend to love. Additionally, I have a background in Irish literature and history, which made it easy to offer a class in conjunction with the trip.”

While many students have not traveled abroad, and the destination of Ireland was a draw, “we think students also benefit from the act of travel itself,” Aiken added. “We wanted students to have the experience of leaving their comfort zones and to be encouraged to consider new perspectives different from their own.” 

Chretien traveled to Ireland with her family when she was 9, visiting Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. “Having the opportunity to come back to Ireland as an adult was an amazing experience and being able to fully comprehend the culture I was surrounded by,” she said. 

“What I liked most about this trip was how many cities, historical sites, and local culture we were able to see within a week's time,” Chretien continued. “It was a fast-paced and culturally focused trip which allowed me to see Ireland as a whole. Every day we did and saw something different, making each day more exciting than the last.” 

The trip also deepened the understanding of global citizenship for the Saint Leo students who traveled to Ireland by providing “real world” context to what they are studying.

“Experiencing new traditions, interacting with local communities, and observing societal differences firsthand helped me develop a more nuanced and empathetic perspective,” Chretien said. “This hands-on learning opportunity not only expanded my cultural awareness but also strengthened my ability to think critically about global issues.”

Chretien offered one special “thank you” to the group’s tour bus driver (Eddy): “As someone who likes to travel, this trip was truly unforgettable,” she said. “Not only for the planned tours and sightseeing; we had an amazing bus driver who would take the time to stop at amazing sites during our travels. They were not a part of the itinerary, but he felt that it would be fun and important to stop at these places to capture the breathtaking views that Ireland holds. I am really grateful to Eddy for being so amazing and providing us with those opportunities to see the real natural Ireland.” 

What’s Next

Besides an exciting and interesting array of Honors Program classes to choose from, DuBois and Aiken are planning for the next Honors Study Abroad Experience which will take place in Fall Semester 2026. “It will be connected to a course she and I will co-teach that will cover the history and literature of the World Wars [I and II],” DuBois said. While the destination is still be determined, “we’re thinking Paris will be involved.”

Honors Program Admissions

Admission to the Honors Program for the Fall 2025 Semester takes place from Thursday, May 1, until Friday, August 1. The Honors application form must be completed by August 1. 

Interested prospective students can learn more about the Honors Program curriculum. For more information, email honors@saintleo.edu.