This is a guest blog post from our student social media ambassador, Garrett. Currently studying abroad on the semester program, “Conflict, Peace, and Transition in Northern Ireland” at our program in Derry-Londonderry.
Since touching down in Northern Ireland at the end of August, it feels as if it’s been nothing but go-go-go! Our wee group of four have been so welcomed by the university, city, and country that is hosting us. Of course, what those welcomers are called is part of what we’re studying here. Just recently our Ulster University campus has been renamed from the Magee Campus to the Derry ~ Londonderry Campus. The city to some is known as Derry. To others as Londonderry. The country is sometimes called Northern Ireland, other times simply the North. We as students have spent the last four weeks learning why.
Our first week was spent in retreat up the north coast of Co. Antrim, staying with the Corrymeela Community near Ballycastle. Between discussions on how to “come in right” to the Northern Irish context and deciding our internship placements, we had the opportunities to see some of the iconic Ulster landscapes. Giant’s Causeway, Benone Strand, Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, Rathlin Island, the Scottish island of Jura, Murlough Bay, and beachfront Ballycastle have filled not just our camera rolls, but our hearts. Buried in our understanding of this nation and its people exists this concept of land – how it’s been loved, farmed, fought for. These spaces, whether protected by the National Trust or tucked away along twisting European roads, are crucial to the understanding of the Northern Irish places and peoples. Geopolitics is nothing without geography, and forms a crucial if not irreplaceable dimension to our studies here.
Two additional weeks brought us up to speed on the history and politics of Northern Ireland through lectures by our lovely program director, Nigel Glenny, and a number of fantastic guest speakers – some professors of the UU Incore (International Conflict Research Institute) program, others from organizations dedicated to the peace process and people of Northern Ireland.
Currently we’re into our second week of internship. The organizations we work with are often based in either Protestant or Catholic communities, the historical ethnic divide here. The Museum of Free Derry works to keep alive the memory of Catholic loss on Bloody Sunday and to continue justice work. Triax works within the Catholic Bogside neighborhood to support community needs and renewal. The Rainbow Project works with the LGBTQIA+ community to fulfill health and community needs. New Gate Arts & Culture Centre fosters community and peacebuilding through arts initiatives in the Protestant Fountain neighborhood. This last one, New Gate, has been becoming my home here in the city in a way. Alongside a long-term survey project, I’ve had the chance to work with some great people here on community projects. Last week I got to sit in on a flute class at the local primary school where students get a chance to explore their musical talent. I’ve been in conversations between various local orgs about how to engage audiences and provide them with meaningful arts programming. I also get to sit in on some pretty crucial meetings between the organization and various government officials, navigating both the tensions of community sector funding and raising concerns about things that affect the communities we work with.
At present I’m helping with New Gate’s contribution to Derry Halloween, considered Europe’s largest Halloween festival. Working with different parts of the Northwest Cultural Partnership, we’ve got so many parts in motion – lights, dance, sound, and set – all for a Back to the Future themed street performance. I can’t wait to share with everyone, here in the city and back home, this fantastic production! Until then, I, my peers, and my colleagues will keep working here in Northern Ireland to better understand the legacy of conflict and how we reconcile together into a positive peace.