Galway (Ireland) Study Abroad Program AND Externship Program

Suffolk's summer study abroad externship program at the National University of Ireland at Galway

Ireland Dublin Courts

For further information please review the informational brochure about the Galway Study Abroad Program [PDF]

Suffolk Law students may study abroad for two weeks at the University of Galway, and also do an Ireland-based externship in addition. These may be done together or separately.

The academic portion of this program takes place during the last two weeks of May.

The academic portion of the program provides three law school credits; the externship may be done for three credits or not for credit, depending on student preferences.

Application: Please contact Professor Sara Dillon at [email protected] for details of the study abroad program and please contact Externship Director Mary Sawicki at [email protected] for details on the summer externships in Ireland application process.

Placements

The externship placements will be predominantly in the public interest arena, including non-profits and government-related organizations. To the extent possible, our Galway affiliates will place students in organizations in Ireland corresponding with the students’ respective practice areas of interests noted on the application. Students work full-time under the supervision of an attorney in the placement organization.

Academic Credits

Externships are for three academic credits. One credit is earned for each 45 hours of legal work in the field. Credit for the field placement work is received on a pass/fail basis.

The three credits for the externship would be in addition to the three credits of coursework pursued as part of the Galway study abroad program. So students would complete six credits in total.

Academic Coursework

In addition to the courses completed as part of the Galway summer study program, students will attend a one-day orientation in mid-May in Boston to help prepare for their externship experience.

During the course of the externship, students will be required to complete weekly work logs and reflection papers, among other assignments.

Approximate Dates 

Ireland: Students are to arrive on May 16, 2025 for the Galway summer study program, which lasts for two weeks. Classes will run from Monday, May 20, 2025 through May 30. Departure is May 31. Students should apply by February 1. If applicable, students begin their externship for a period of 6-8 weeks after the two week study abroad program.

Eligibility

First and second year JD day students and second and third year evening JD students with a GPA of 2.67 and in academic good standing. Students with a lower GPA may submit a petition to participate in the program.

Application

Please contact Professor Sara Dillon for details of the study abroad application.

For further information about the program and application, please review carefully this informational packet, available here.

Questions About the Externship Program

For questions about Galway externships, contact Mary Sawicki. For questions about the Galway study abroad program, contact Prof. Sara Dillon.

My Summer Internship in Ireland

Anne Stevenson JD'17 interned with a public interest non-profit in Ireland while in law school. Read Anne's blog to learn about her eight-week externship and visits to the beautiful Irish countryside.
Read about it