Each semester and summer, KEI and GCD organize two day trips and one overnight excursion. Destinations change each term based on availability, local festivals and interest. The most commonly organized excursions are listed below. During these excursions, transportation, lodging and group activities are included. Students must budget for meals and personal expenses.

KEI reserves the right to change planned excursions for destinations of equal value and interest. Excursions may change based on availability, local festivals and interest. Academic year and multiple term students participate on planned excursions during one of their terms.

DUBLIN (half-day)
Dublin is the capital of Ireland and the center of he political, diplomatic, administrative and commercial life of the country. The Dublin city tour is organized during the orientation period.

GLENDALOUGH (day)
Just a short distance outside of Dublin, Glendalough lives up to its traditional name meaning "The Valley of the Two Lakes." It's a peaceful, pastoral scene, perfect for hiking and nature-watching. Perhaps the remote setting was what drew Glendalough's most famous settler, St. Kevin. This early saint retreated to the valley in 6th century and built a monastery. Although the monasterial complex was mostly destroyed in the 8th and 12th centuries, parts of it remain and serve as breathtaking focal points in the countryside. A lovely website about Glendalough and the surrounding regions can be found at www.wicklow.com/glendalough/.

BELFAST (overnight)
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, and as such, is part of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland uses British pounds as their currency, like the rest of the United Kingdom.

When the Republic of Ireland seceded from the United Kingdom in 1922, six counties chose to remain in the UK. These six counties are primarily Protestant, although there is still a significant Catholic minority. Although the "Troubles," the sectarian violence that ripped apart Irish society between 1969 and 1998 are primarily over, the division can still be seen in Belfast today. There are two distinct parts of town. Pay special attention to the frequently-changing murals in some of the poorer (but still safe) communities. Shankhills Road and Falls Road are the best places to find them. It's clear from the context which side painted them! The official city tourist website can be found at www.gotobelfast.com.

LONDON (overnight)
London is home to countless historical and modern attractions. KEI's favorite places to visit in London:

• London Eye
• Houses of Parliament with Big Ben
• Tower Bridge
• Buckingham Palace
• Natural History Museum
• British Museum

The official city website can be found at www.visitlondon.com.

SLIGO (overnight)
A scenic county on the west coast of Ireland, Sligo is commonly associated with the poet W.B. Yeats, although its history goes back much further. Traces of Stone Age settlements have been found, and the oldest building in Sligo is a medieval abbey, built in 1253. Yeats spent much of his childhood and adult life in County Sligo, and is buried there. His memorable poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree refers to Lough Gill, a small lake in the area. To read more of Yeats' work, visit www.online-literature.com/yeats/.

GALWAY (overnight)
Ireland's third largest city, Galway is by far the most ethnically diverse. Despite immigration from Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and Africa, County Galway is also known for its "Irishness," due to several Gaeltacht, or traditional Gaelic-speaking communities. Galway is one of the best places to hear both contemporary and traditional Irish music. The official city tourist website can be found at www.galwaytourism.ie.