Hello, my name is Olivia Gluck, and I am a sociology major with a minor in peace and justice studies. In my first year attending Chapman, I was unfamiliar with peace studies, but after taking my first introductory course, I quickly grew deeply interested in the subject matter. I really enjoyed learning about the roots of conflict in different contexts and how the application of nonviolent strategies can promote meaningful change. Freshman year, I was an undecided major, so I spent most of my time sampling classes to find out what I could see myself doing. Upon declaring sociology, I knew I wanted to find a minor that both fit my interests and aligned with what I am passionate about, and after my first peace studies class, I found exactly what I was looking for. I’ve taken multiple peace studies classes on account of my requirements, it is the cornerstone of my education here at Chapman. Although it is a huge part of my academic pursuits, I don’t have many opportunities in my day-to-day life to fully experience what it is I’m learning about, which is one of the reasons I was so drawn to participating in this course. I have done many projects and written papers on all sorts of different conflicts, both modern day and historical however, I have never had the chance to witness firsthand how peace building and reconciliation efforts are carried out in real communities. That being said, I was also excited to find out the course would take place in Northern Ireland. As a Derry Girls fan, I’ve had a growing curiosity about Northern Ireland’s history. Although the show is a comedy, there are moments that showcase the everyday realities of growing up during the Troubles. I am eager to deepen my understanding of this period beyond what I’ve seen on screen and read in preparation for this course. In addition to this, I hope to gain a more nuanced perspective on the long-term impact of conflict and the various approaches communities use to foster peace. I am confident this experience will provide me with that opportunity and enrich my senior year because I will have had practical insight that aligns with my academics. As far as challenges go, I’m a little apprehensive about seeing firsthand the violence that occurred, however, it’s important to face these truths as it is necessary in understanding the entirety of the region’s history.