Last night the ERASMUS students got a different perspective on the history of Belfast with a guided Historical Pub Tour. The tour is an innovative way of exploring the city's past by visiting the oldest taverns in the centre of the city and getting a colourful insight into local life as far back as the seventeenth century by an experienced courier. In all, six taverns were visited but it must be said that most of the talks were delivered outside of the establishments!!! Further links with the USA: - The Irish-American Scholars' Programme As a result of St Mary's recently deciding to become involved in the above programme, the College was represented at the recent meeting of the steering team that manages the programme. The team included representatives from the participating local institutions, St. Mary's, QUB,UU, BIFHE and Stranmillis College and representatives from the inter-Church groups in the USA, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian who are US partners in the programme. The purpose of this annual meeting is to match the US students as closely as possible to an institution and appropriate learning programme with regard to their academic profile and stated educational preferences. The outcome of this has been that St. Mary's has agreed to accept two students for a full academic year and one student for one semester, commencing in September 2006. - Millersville University Pennsylvania The College has agreed to enter into bilateral exchanges of staff and students with Millersville University, Pennsylvania, USA. As a result of a visit by Millersville faculty to the College, exchanges will begin in the next academic year with a visit of two St. Mary's staff for a week's orientation. This will be followed by exchange of students in semester two of the next academic year.