What Our Customers & Advisors Say
Berkshire School MA
The week was truly a powerful and unique educational experience for our students, many of who had never been outside the United States. The students left the island with a better understanding of the cultures on the island and encouraged them to personally engage with the resistance that exists in Irish and their own cultures. Jason Gappa (Berkshire School MA)
Georgetown Day School DC
"I happily recount every aspect of our trip to Ireland … The benefit to the students seems very clear and immediate to me as their teacher and fellow traveller. The itinerary was conceived as a very logical progression that laid out the historical events that helped create the conflict giving a clear foundation to the 'Troubles' … The opportunity to link those events forward … and see precisely how and where those events unfolded … was extraordinary. The first-hand testimony of active participants to these events, as well as political figures active today, enriched the experience and provided insights into human nature and motivations that are still very much alive in 2015…I also appreciated and I know the students enjoyed the stunning landscapes…In short, this was a remarkable trip and educational experience that will resonate with me and the students for years to come." Nick Ryan (Georgetown Day School DC)
Northfield Mount Hermon MA
“According to any standard, the type of program that you offer is of the highest educational caliber, bringing to life the historical, political, and literary (among other) attributes of the physical spaces throughout Ireland. In my 21 years as an educator, in reflecting back on those trips I have engaged with you and your programs, I find myself confronted with the most impactful educational experiences, both for me and for my students. Seeing those elements come to life, as it were, that had previously only been relegated to books and assignments proves to be a palpable and powerful force in the educational journey of individuals.” Jeffrey R. Neill (American School, Sao Paulo; International School of Dakar; Northfield Mount Hermon MA; Western Reserve OH)
"UISCE is a program that develops an in-depth understanding of the social, cultural and economic dynamics that affect change processes specifically within Ireland. The leadership program focus is to provide challenges within individuals and groups to explore leadership, change and resistance which is greatly beneficial to the youth of today."
— Bertie Ahern
FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF IRELAND
"Keith McNair has been a key figure in promoting cross-border and cross-community understanding, and has a fine record of achievement to his name."
— Lord Bew
FORMER PROFESSOR OF IRISH HISTORY AT QUEENS UNIVERSITY, MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS, WESTMINSTER PARLIAMENT & CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE
"UISCE has tremendous potential for those who want to understand not only the history of Ireland in the past 50 years but for students who want to understand any cultural/political conflict. The trip gives students a picture of the peace process - which proves to be a beautiful but fragile matter. This is a unique program that will provide an experience that will be meaningful, not only to the students but often the interest that the student's take is touching to those they interview. Students often ask questions that make community activists think hard about their own positions. It's learning and community service at its best."
- Susan Ikenberry
GEORGETOWN DAY SCHOOL TEACHER, DC USA
"UISCE is a program that I feel will benefit students by developing their own leadership skills and cross-cultural awareness while simultaneously exposing them to real-world problems that they can help resolve. Furthermore, in cultivating an appreciation for and skill-set in peace and conflict reconciliation, I believe this program stands alone in preparing our youth for a brighter future."
Jeff Neill
- UISCE ASIAN CONSULTANT, CURRENTLY AMERICAN SCHOOL TAIWAN, FORMERLY WESTERN SCHOOL RESERVE, MA
Hotchkiss School
Keith McNair's educational and global programs that delve into history, politics, economics, literature, poetry, and current events are among some of the best educational experiential learning my students have had. Tours such as his would generally be part of a US curriculum in social studies or history, but his tours encompass much more than that. Each site visit and experience is designed around different perspectives across the borders of Ireland and the UK/Northern Ireland; they are tours of "place and people" with some of Yeats' poetry woven in as a backdrop. The beauty of those tours is that the ideologies and policies (and literature) that grow up around conflict and peace are transferable across different cultures at different times. In our world, that type of education is priceless. Jennifer Craig (The American School in London, Hotchkiss school, prep school development in China)