This trip was incredibly eye-opening and allowed me to apply everything I learn and discuss daily in my classes to a real-world experience. It was one thing reading material and watching documentaries detailing what the Troubles were like and how it affected the community, but having the opportunity to see the lasting effects of the conflict throughout the cities and speaking to the people who were at the heart of it was an entirely different experience. As a sociology major, a lot of what I study has to do with taking social theory and using it to explain things like group conflict, and it was especially useful in this environment. Like I said before the trip, I enjoy engaging in meaningful discussions in my classes that have to do with unpacking how theory connects to real-world issues. However, I will admit that sometimes, in the classroom, it can get repetitive and difficult to imagine what these dynamics actually look like in real communities. Being on this trip allowed me to break out of my academic bubble and fully immerse myself in an area that is, to this day, deeply affected by the trauma of its past. Looking back on my first blog post, I talked about wanting to gain more clarity and understanding on how the content of my major connects to the real world, and not only seeing but hearing an array of different perspectives all across Northern Ireland got me excited about my academic future. 

The steps the community has taken to repair and reconcile after decades of conflict were inspiring to see. A highlight for me was attending the panel with the two ex-political prisoners, one from a loyalist background, one from a republican background, and an ex-British army soldier. These men, all of whom were on opposing sides of this conflict, who once spent their lives viewing each other as enemies and risking their freedom to fight for their identity, were sitting across from us side by side, engaging in dialogue about peace and moving forward. Each of them gave us a quick individual backstory and where they are now, and their display of growth and resilience despite their pasts was incredibly powerful. They reflected on how they were once caught in cycles of violence but eventually chose a path of healing. This resonated with me on a personal level because it reminded me of the importance of rehabilitation. Career-wise, although I am unsure of the specific job title I’d like to pursue, I have always known that I wanted to work in rehabilitation. Growing up, I’ve seen firsthand how things like addiction, incarceration, or generational trauma have the power to deeply negatively impact individuals. But I’ve also seen how, when people are given the right support and resources, change is possible, and this panel was a key example of that.

A big challenge for me was the lack of women’s representation in the remembrance efforts of this conflict. Although many organizations have taken steps to recognize women’s contributions, it was alarming how often their stories were overshadowed or just completely left out of the narrative. Memorials and murals are heavily centered around men and the role they played, while women are barely acknowledged in this space. It is disappointing to see, especially taking into consideration that women are at the heart of the peacebuilding process and continue to play a crucial part in helping the community heal. Unfortunately, though, I was not surprised by this, it is a common pattern in society to exclude women’s stories. There are thousands of women who were pivotal in sustaining their communities and driving reconciliation efforts, yet many of their contributions will never get the chance to be honored, and that was a hard reality to face.