International Peace Leadership Academy, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland

 

Nurturing Hope Summer Learning Journey, July 2026

 

Overview:

Are you someone who believes in peace? Are you interested in how we can reduce conflict and foster connection between people with different viewpoints or life experiences? Do you enjoy working with people of different beliefs to create a better world for all?  

UT San Antonio will select and fund 3 students to attend the 10 day Nurturing Hope program in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Rotary San Antonio Club. 

The Summer Learning Journey will focus on how trust and hope can be nurtured and sustained in personal, community, and political life; consider what practices might support reconciliation and restoring relationships; and contribute to an intergenerational and intercultural global community of practice committed to building cross-tradition and trans-local relationships in conflicted societies. You will learn alongside local participants completing the Seeds of Hope year-long program; young adult leaders from across the globe; and adults involved in parallel organizations from across the globe. 

Nurturing Hope - Northern Ireland 

Dates: July 6 – 19, 2026

  • July 6: depart to Northern Ireland
  • July 7:  arrive in Belfast
  • July 8-13: International Peace Leadership Academy, Ballycastle
  • July 13-18: Guided travel and activities through Northern Ireland to learn about work to connect communities 
  • July 19: depart to the United States

Cost per student:  all costs covered by UT San Antonio. 4,500 USD, includes transportation, programming, and in-country travel. 

Eligibility*

  • Current UT San Antonio undergraduate or graduate student in Summer 2026 (if undergraduate, you do not need to be an Honors College student to apply!) 
  • Minimum cumulative UT San Antonio GPA: 2.5 
  • Demonstrated involvement in community outreach or educational activities to reduce conflict, promote understanding across difference, and encourage an environment of positive peace.  
  • Commitment to share what you learn with others when you return. 
  • Special consideration will be given to students involved in peace efforts such as Nurturing Hope San Antonio, the Center for Dialogue and Deliberation or similar efforts. 
  • The committee may give special consideration to students who have had limited opportunities to travel internationally. 

*Domestic students must have a valid U.S. passport at time of travel (see for processing times). International students must have appropriate visa, if needed, by time of travel (see for more information).

Application Materials:

  1. 1000-word essay describing: 
  • Describe your experience in community outreach or educational activities to reduce conflict, promote understanding across different groups, and encourage an environment of positive peace.  
  • Why do you want to participate in the Nurturing Hope Summer Learning Journey? How does this program relate to your civic, intellectual, professional, or personal goals? 
  • How do you plan to share your experience at the Summer Learning Journey with others on your campus and local community when you return? 

     2. UT San Antonio unofficial transcript 

     3. Reference: the name and contact information of a person who can speak to your efforts to reduce conflict, promote understanding, and encourage positive peace.

    4. Resume 

Send the essay, resume and unofficial transcript as a single pdf attachment with your full name in the title to honors@utsa.edu by April 1. The email title should be “application for International Peace Leadership Academy” No late submissions accepted. 

Students who are accepted are required to present at the Honors Experiential Learning Fair and to represent the program at campus and community events the following academic year. Participants are encouraged to plan a service event to share the Corrymeela Nurturing Hope curriculum with other students. 

Timeline

  • March 23: applications open 
  • April 1: Application Deadline 
  • April 1-7: Stage 1 application review 
  • April 8 - 10: Stage 2 interviews 
  • April 13: Students notified 
  • April 17: Student acceptance deadline

Global Compassion

Meet Sahana Babu, a neuroscience major and Top Scholar. Through her classes, global experiences and leadership opportunities, she has developed a perspective on healthcare that centers on empathy, communication and policy. Her experience in the Nurturing Hope program in Northern Ireland in the summer of 2024 deepened her understanding of trauma, reconciliation and the power of dialogue in divided communities.