Name
Anne Reeder
Major(s)
History
Minor(s)
WGSS, Biology
Concentration(s)
Pre-Nursing
Academic focus while abroad
Political science, history, gender studies, conflict studies and international studies
Program and Location
HECUA - Northern Ireland: Democracy and Social Change in Derry/Londonderry, Belfast and Coleraine
What did you accomplish academically?
I completed an internship at Children in Crossfire in Derry/Londonderry, which included an internship seminar. I also took two courses on politics and history of the conflict. I wrote five papers total: two creative 'reaction' papers engaging the urban space (Derry/Londonderry and Belfast, (Dublin/South Armagh), one internship reaction paper, one independent study project entitled 'Remembering 1916: The Easter Rising and The Battle of the Somme in Popular Memory in Northern Ireland' and one group study project entitled 'The Apron and the Armalite: Nationalism and Patriarcy in Republican Feminism.'
What were the strongest aspects of this program?
My program was VERY small: 13 students in total. Additionally, it was led by a native Northern Irish man, who had his own opinion on the 'Troubles'. The fact that our learning/exploration was guided allowed for incredible growth. Working alongside other students experiencing the same intense feelings about the conflict contributed to this program's strengths. We were able to meet people through this program with whom we would not have been allowed to communicate had we been studying in N. Ireland independently. One instance had us talking to man whose wife had been killed in a fish market bombing. To listen to him speak about what it was like to lose his wife through such violent means was a painful, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity rarely afforded the solo student. The most meaningful moments from the program came from interactions with people who were directly affected by the conflict. Being allowed to work for non-profit organizations was something also contributed to the program's pedagogic strength.
What were the most challenging aspects of this program?
I would say being exposed to the harshness that continues to compose daily life in Northern Ireland, particularly in an urban setting like Belfast or Derry/Londonderry. Our first exposure to Belfast came from some of the poorest sections of the city. Seeing the poverty, anguish and extreme frustrating was very difficult. Knowing that everyone was affected by the conflict in some way or another was difficult to take at times. Post-conflict societies are difficult to understand; Northern Irish society is extremely complex and often the enormity of the complexities proved, and continue to prove, overwhelming. Getting over the 'Americanized' view of Irish history (in which the actions Nationalists are always justified) was a real challenge. Knowing that violence still occurs today (in the form of racial discrimination and punishment beatings) was hard to take. Knowing that the conflict is not over was difficult to process.
What were your living accommodations?
I spent the first three weeks in dorms at the University of Ulster: Coleraine campus taking courses along with the other students in the HECUA program. We were then split between those completing internships in Belfast and Derry. In Derry, I lived with the six other students in dorms. On our week-long field trip to Dublin, we were in a hostel/dorm situation. We spent the last two weeks in Coleraine in the dorms in which we began our experience. The living situation was very comfortable.
Suggestions for future participants?
HECUA Northern Ireland is a unique and amazing program. The program director (Nigel Glenny) takes a real interest in seeing his students grow and mature throughout the course of the program. The conflict becomes much more real when experienced, rather than read about in books. The most important lesson I learned while in Northern Ireland was despite the setbacks posed by the 35-year conflict in Northern Ireland, people desire an end to violence. You have to see this resilient spirit to believe it. I grew more in my 14 weeks in Northern Ireland that I have in my entire Macalester career
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