Belfast trip

This week is our last week in Portrush before we all go our different ways for our internships. On Monday we spent time with Derick talking about the importance of relationships, and diversity, equity and interdependence. Tuesday we had a speaker Neil Aldred come in to talk to us about his experiences in Africa and transferring these to the issue in Northern Ireland. He spent 15 years in Africa in different countries but never really experienced democracy, mostly dictatorships, and it was interesting to hear him speak about change, fair trade, freedom of religion, and other topics. Than we had Clare Magill come and speak to us about her work on a qualitative research project involving the perceptions of the conflict that young people had. They compared the responses of those youth in Northern Ireland to those who faced conflict in Bosnia in the early 90's. It was interesting to hear audio of youth who would like to be a part of integrated schools, and to hear them respond to what they do and do not know about the conflict. A lot of youth may not have been exposed to both sides of history of the conflict.

On Wednesday we traveled to Belfast for a day trip. I met with my supervisor James Knox with AWARE-defeat depression. The 8 of us from HECUA who will have internships in Belfast will be moving in on Sunday and then we begin our internships on Monday. Afterwards we got a tour of the nationalists side of Belfast from an ex IRA prisoner. We saw the Bobby Sands mural who was the first hungerstriker to die. We saw many more murals that were related to international conflicts such as the palestinian/israeli, and civil rights movement in the U.S. We then had lunch at a place for nationalists and republican families more specifically those prisoners who had served time. There was a museum with IRA artifacts and memorabilia from the troubles. We than got to speak with an ex IRA officer who had served 16 or so years in prison, but because of the Good Friday agreement was released in 2000. Some of our questions were answered with the republicans but a lot of them were not.

After lunch we got to meet with the first loyalist person. We met him on the otherside of the peace wall. He told us his personal story about growing up admiring Ian Paisley, and became a member of the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force). He openly admitted to killing 4 people and after 16 years in prison, and integrating back into the community, he openly admits that what he did was wrong and that he is sorry. He was the first person that answered most if all of our questions. He didn't dillydally around the questions and told us the truth from the beginning. It was good to see such a contrast between the ex republican prisoners and loyalist prisoners.

On Thursday we spent time talking with Derick again about preparing for our internships, and being a critical friend! Then later we met Nigel's wife and kids and had some soup and bread! They are so cute, and I think all of us felt a little homesick! We than went down Benone and dipped our feet in the ocean!

Last night we all got together one last time before the Derry and Ballycastle folk depart today for internships. We went to the Springhill pub which has international student night! It was good craic (fun/enjoyment)! I will hopefully have a better internet schedule in Belfast to skype and email more consistently! More to come soon I'm sure!