FIE: London (Now Dublin) – Amman, Peace, Conflict Resolution and Arabic Language

King Hussein Mosque in Downtown Amman, Jordan

King Hussein Mosque in Downtown Amman, Jordan

My STEP signature project was a dual-program study abroad to London, England and Amman, Jordan. The first part focused on the study of the concepts of peace and conflict resolution through the case studies of the Northern-Ireland Conflict and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. For the second part of the program I learned and studied the Arabic language for four weeks while in Jordan.
This trip was one of the most transformational experiences that I have had thus far. One of the main objectives of this study abroad was to present another perspective in regards to these specific conflicts in order to demonstrate the complexity of the situation in terms of regional and tribal tensions (especially in the Israeli-Palestinian case) because t is emphasized that a more complete understanding of the conflict will enable decision makers, leaders and scholars to better assess and resolve the conflict. I think for me being in those poignant locations where the violence took place gave me a more personal perspective into what they had experienced and continue to experience. Additionally, the persistence of the conflicts, especially regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the seemingly impossibility of resolving the conflict that

The Peace Wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Peace Wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland

made me aware of how necessary it was for students to step into the conflict itself and to be present in order to even attempt to make peace; that they need to empathize with both parties to fully and totally understand the situation.
One of the many examples where I was able to get a first-hand experience of the repercussions of the Northern-Ireland conflict was when I traveled to Belfast in Northern Ireland where the group visited the Peace Wall and talked to survivors of the Troubles. What was amazing was that the Peace Wall, which had been erected to separate the two communities-the Protestants from the Catholic neighborhoods-for peace, still exists today and that every night at 11pm the gate would be brought down completely isolating the two communities from each other. This conflict was, relatively, resolved a little under 20 years ago but there are still ethnic tensions because people remember the violence, and the suffering they endured. I’ve never experienced anything that could be so persisting in my mind but acknowledging that this is an everyday thought of these people changed the way I live my everyday life. I’ve become more cognizant of what I do and how it impacts people globally. This is very important because I hope to one day work internationally therefore knowing my role, internationally, is necessary in order for me to be better equipped to handle foreign affairs. Overall, I think that this experience has shown me what role, what sort of impact, I can impart internationally.
Another example of this was when I was in Jordan. I was there for about seven weeks and got to live with a Jordanian family. It turned out that half of my family was Palestinian as well as many of my teachers. Since I got to know these people fairly well we did discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the damage it has inflicted in their own lives. For example, I was in the car driving with my host brother and his friend and we somehow got on the topic of the conflict. Both of these guys are Palestinian. I just remember the friend asking (or contemplating): “What does Israel hope to achieve through all of this violence? I just do not understand” because he had lost some relatives who had been living in the occupied territories. I could feel his pain and confusion that he was experiencing and it made me realize that there needs to be a way to end this without further violence. Unfortunately, that does not seems possible.
Although it seems impossible to find a solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict it must end, just as all of the others have ended. That is not to say that it might end unfavorably but I wish, after being in Jordan, that I will be able to at least have a part in not only the cessation of violence but also in the rebuilding of the two communities. Being over there I realized that I am majoring in International Studies for a reason and that with the privilege I have of attending a university it is necessary that I learn more about peace, war and conflict in order to hopefully help in resolving this conflict along with other international conflicts.