A Legen-Derry Time

Coming to Northern Ireland I had no idea what to expect. As someone who had never left the United States, and had done very little traveling inside the states I really had not experienced much outside of my current way of life. With this trip I was about to step into the unknown, and I was doing it with a class of 13 others whom I had never met before. Anxious, nervous, but mostly excited perfectly describe how I was feeling leading up to this class. But by the time we made it to Derry on that first night I had already become friends with most of the class and I felt confident and ready to experience everything this city has to offer. During my time here I learned plenty about myself, about this country, and made countless memories.

Leaving this trip I feel that I learned a lot about this country. I learned that the country is full of friendly people who love Americans for truly no reason at all. I noticed the strong sense of pride that exists within this tight-knit community. Even though these two communities have been at each others throat for hundreds of years, they are eager to come together and heal. People want to see change, and I see that people are willing to step-up and be that change. Activists and community leaders are emerging to lead projects that help heal the wounds, and mend the divide between the communities. Difficult conversations are being had, cross-community work is taking place, change is happening every day and I believe that it wont be long before a new Northern Ireland exists, one that is a shell of its dark and violent past.

Seeing the Giants Causeway, exploring Dublin, and having adventures out around the town with the others are just some of my favorite memories on this trip. I am extremely grateful and lucky to say that coming back from this trip I have 13 more friends than when we arrived. Spending time with these people, playing games, having drinks, sharing some laughs, bonding and getting closer while learning and exploring a foreign land. The history that I learned on this trip will eventually start to fade, but the memories and bonds that I created on this trip are things that I can never forget.