Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or Above
Location: Europe, Ireland
GPA: 2.5

Program Overview

This four-week program in Dublin, Ireland, will introduce you to an exciting and engaging backdrop from which you’ll explore and study a new sports culture. You’ll develop various journalistic and communication skills – including reporting, interviewing, and feature-writing – while also honing your multimedia and social media skills. You'll also meet sports marketing executives who will introduce you to the business of sports in Ireland. 

Through the two courses offered, you’ll attend sporting events, meet and interview athletes and sports promoters, and produce written and visual stories about the games you see and the people you meet. The work you do will fit nicely in your journalism portfolio.

In addition, potential excursions and site visits in Dublin may include: The Irish Independent, RTE One, Croke Park Stadium, the Guinness PR team, and EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum. A weekend excursion to Galway is included to visit the Cliffs of Moher. 

 

Dates and Deadlines

 
TermYearDeadlineArrival DateDeparture Date
Summer20253/15/20256/29/20257/26/2025

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff (and the program faculty leader, if applicable) will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about acceptance will be made shortly after you submit a complete application. There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early.

Acceptance is based on a holistic review of your application.  This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and the short statement. Some programs require a letter of recommendation from a faculty that is not the program's faculty leader. If a letter of recommendation is required, you will find more information in your GEO application portal.

Faculty-Led Scholarship Opportunity

Applicants to this program are eligible for program-specific scholarship funds. Award recipients are chosen based on academic merit, financial need, and overall quality of their essay. Individual awards range from $500-$1,500. To be considered, apply to the GEO General Scholarship by the advertised deadline for the term you will be abroad. Students who apply will automatically be considered for all available funding within the General Scholarship, including this program's scholarship funds.

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

You will enroll in two 4-credit courses on this program, for a total of eight credits:

  • 300-level sports feature writing
  • 400-level sports reporting

Students within the UO SOJC should consult the SOJC Student Success Center to determine if the courses are equivalent to specific major requirements.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Faculty and Staff

Charlie Butler is a Professor of Practice in the School of Journalism and Communication. At the University of Oregon, Charlie teaches courses in reporting, feature-writing and sports journalism.  

During his journalism career, Charlie has worked as an editor and writer for such publications as Runner’s World, SmartMoney, Sales & Marketing Management, and SportsTravel. His freelance work has appeared on ESPN.com and in The New York Times, Fortune, Men’s Health, BusinessWeek, and CJR, among other publications. He is the co-author of two books: “The Golden Rules, 10 Steps to World-Class Excellence in Your Life and Work” with Bob Bowman (coach of Olympian Michael Phelps), and “The Long Run,” a narrative that chronicles the heroic recovery of a New York City firefighter after sustaining a tragic accident.  

Housing Description

Your accommodations in Dublin will be in single rooms with private bathroom in shared student apartments with other program participants. Each apartment has a living room and kitchen facilities where you can cook your own meals. Wi-Fi and bed linens are included, but you will need to bring your own towels. Laundry facilities are on site.