Study Abroad Trip to
Northern Ireland, Scotland & England
AUGUST 18 – 30, 2025
STUDY ABROAD TRIP
Meeting in the Conversation between Trauma and Hope
St. Stephen's University offers a Study Abroad Trip to Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England with a focus on the theological, contemplative, and practical dimensions of The Troubles and colonialism. This trip is part of all our master's degree programs and is an opportunity to journey along side other peacemakers and learn from reputable scholars and practitioners of peacebuilding and reconciliation, ex-combatants and victims of violent conflict during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, theologians and mediators, contemplatives and pilgrims, and other fascinating and invested people who are directly involved in grassroots, community-based peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and reconciliation from the ground up.
Topics
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The inner transformation of a peacemaker
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Contemplative spirituality and building peace
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The role of prayer in peacebuilding
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Learning to live with differences
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Gracious remembering in truth and reconciliation
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Memory and storytelling in peacebuilding
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Theology of reconciliation
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The role of religion in sectarian conflict
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Ritual and interreligious peacebuilding
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Trauma healing
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Dialogue for peaceful change
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Place-based peacebuilding
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Decolonizing peace practices
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Pilgrimage and peacemaking
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And many more...
Our partners for this ten-day study abroad trip include the University of Glasgow; Queen's University Belfast; The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice; Corrymeela Community; An Cuan Peace and Reconciliation Centre; Guardians of the Flame; Holy Cross Abbey, Rostrevor; and the Northumbria Community.
AT A GLANCE
DATES – Aug. 18 – 30, 2025
CREDIT HOURS – 6 c/h (only if taken for credit)
TOTAL TRIP COST FOR CREDIT – $5,500 CAD + flights (includes tuition)
TOTAL TRIP COST FOR NON-CREDIT – $3,750 CAD + flights
DELIVERY MODES – readings before the trip, intensive academic sessions with experts in their fields, visiting local organizations with on-the-ground practitioners and community leaders, documentary screening with panel discussion, folk show and storytelling, learning tours and museums, pilgrimage / silent retreat, assignments after the trip.
CURRICULUM SUBJECTS – Post-conflict trauma healing, religion in peace and violence, inter-faith hospitality, identity and belonging, memory & history in truth and reconciliation, decolonizing peace practices, learning to live with differences, restorative justice, forgiveness & reconciliation, contemplation & social justice, pilgrimage & peacemaking, public theology, local place-based peacebuilding.
Check out the incredible sights and experiences from past study abroad trips
Itinerary
STUDY ABROAD TRIP
St Cuthbert's Way Pilgrimage to the Holy Island
The 2025 SSU Study Abroad Trip includes a pilgrimage along parts of St Cuthbert's Way ending on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and led by authors, pastors, and seasoned pilgrims, Brian and Peri Zahnd. The pilgrimage route starts in Melrose to Harestanes, Scotland on Day 1 and Lowick to the Holy Island on Day 2, including a tour of Melrose Abbey at the beginning and Lindisfarne at the end. The pilgrimage leads into two nights at Northumbria Community to immerse ourselves in the monastic rhythms as underpinned by Celtic spirituality and sessions on pilgrimage, Celtic spirituality, and peace and justice.
