In a time when sustainable business practices have never been more important, Temple University’s Klein College students traveled to Dublin, Ireland, in Klein Global Opportunities' early-term program, Fair Play: Corporate Social Responsibility + Sustainability in Dublin, to see how corporate social responsibility (CSR) shapes businesses around the world.
The adventure began with a week of intensive preparatory classes in Philadelphia before the 16 students crossed the Atlantic for a blend of professional site visits, cultural immersion and hands-on learning. Over the course of the immersive experience, participants earned three academic credits while engaging directly with experts in Irish business, European Union regulators and media professionals to explore how CSR and sustainability influence today’s communication strategies.
Taking Corporate Social Responsibility Abroad
Students got the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and learn in one of Europe’s leading sustainable markets. By traveling across the sea, students gained first-hand knowledge of the impact of the European Union’s increased sustainability efforts. Ireland, in particular, has positioned itself as a hub for green innovation, setting ambitious renewable energy targets and encouraging companies to align their practices with those consistent with the European Union’s standards.
“As an EU member nation, Ireland is subject to sustainability laws that we do not have here,” explained Steve Ryan, faculty program leader and assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Public Relations. “The differences between the U.S. and Ireland are quite evident. It’s a vivid learning experience.”
A central theme in both the classroom studies and hands-on experiences was the rise of B Corporations in Ireland, where companies are recognized not only for profit but also for their commitment to people and the planet. According to Ireland’s governmental website, there has been an 82% year-on-year increase in the number of certified B Corps in Ireland in 2025.
For students, this gave them the opportunity to see how organizations globally are now placing their social and environmental impact at the center of their values. Through engaging with Irish professionals, students were able to connect their classroom lessons to real-world demonstrations on how communication can facilitate change.
Sustainability and Social Impact: Business Immersion for Students
The week in Dublin commenced with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse, where students got their first sips of life in Ireland. Students learned about the deep philanthropic history of one of Ireland’s most famous brands while interacting with company representatives who shared how Guinness has woven corporate social responsibility into its legacy.
Throughout the trip, students visited a variety of businesses to discuss sustainability and CSR practices. Some local businesses included:
Airfield Estate, where students learned how the estate operates as Ireland’s only urban 100% organic farm. The tour showed students how sustainability and organic practices can be embedded into agriculture while educating the public.
Allied Irish Banks and Goodbody Clearstream, where students learned about AIB’s commitment to authenticity in their sustainability efforts, including raising €19 for the Climate Action Fund, and their aim to be net-zero in carbon emissions by 2030.
Jameson and the Irish Whiskey Association, where students toured the Bow Street Distillery and learned about the industry’s focus on CSR, sustainability and responsible consumption.
Alice PR, where students learned about how communications fuel advocacy and social change through campaigns. Students were given insights into how storytelling and risk management are critical to long-term success in advocacy.
William Fry, where students saw CSR through the lens of the law, participated in an interactive case study and discovered how service organizations, like law firms, integrate sustainability into their work.
The Iveagh Trust, where they toured the historic housing built by Guinness for their employees during the Irish famine, learning how philanthropy and corporate responsibility create lasting community infrastructure.
THINKHOUSE, an independent agency, taught students about the intricacies that go into youth marketing, the values behind being a certified B Corporation and how agencies align their work with social and environmental accountability.
Students also experienced Ireland’s larger culture with guided walking tours and ample time for their own free exploration. Excursions like visits to 14 Henrietta Street and the Jameson Distillery provided a historical background before connecting those lessons to the present-day conversations around sustainability and responsibility.
What Students Took Home from Dublin
For students, the week in Dublin extended further than just an academic program and was an opportunity for them to connect their learning to their personal and professional futures. For Gabriela Barrett, a junior advertising major, the most impactful lesson was the importance of authenticity.
“Authenticity was an overarching aspect of CSR that we touched on before coming to Ireland; however, as our trip continued, this concept really took root in my mind,” Barrett said. “I realized that, once I begin to grow into my career field, examining the heart of potential employers beyond just their advertised and projected values is just as important as any other aspect of job research.”
For other students, like senior public relations major Ila van Sheik, the experience was just as much about personal growth and memories as it was about academics.
“Going to Dublin was one of the best choices I’ve made,” said van Sheik. “It was the perfect way to end my summer and warm up for the school year. I got to make new friends, made beautiful memories and gained three credits before the semester—can’t get much better than that!”