Abigail Guerra on the Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland in March 2018.
During her freshman year, Abigail Guerra ’18 learned about the Human Rights, Law & Justice spring break program in Northern Ireland during a meeting with Dr. Haley Duschinski.
Taking the course, which focuses on the post-conflict transition of Northern Ireland after its long legacy of violence and human rights abuses, became a goal for Guerra.
Going to another country to learn about human rights fascinated Guerra. And getting the opportunity to travel while still a student was irresistible.
So she decided to use the GoFundMe as a way to fund her travel expenses because many of her friends had successfully done the same.
“I was sort of embarrassed to ask for money to begin with,” explains Guerra, an Anthropology and Sociology-Criminology major and earning certificates in Diversity Studies and East Asian Studies. “But as time went on, I realized there were so many people out there in my life that wanted to see me travel and succeed through my education.”
This Northern Ireland study abroad program aligns with the Making and Breaking the Law theme. Students learn about the current peace-building efforts, with much of the course material drawn from on-site activities and interactions.
Expectations Fulfilled—and More
Guerra expected to come back from the trip with a new outlook on the places around her and a better understanding of the conflicts that took place in Northern Ireland and how the country as a whole overcame problems post-conflict.
While in Northern Ireland, Guerra realized that many Americans are stuck in their own bubble, with little idea about what is going on around the world. When she talked with people prior to her trip, not one person knew what “the Troubles” were until she gave them a short background that the Troubles were still going on less than 20 years ago.
She returned to the United States with fulfilled expectations. All her questions were answered and then some.
“There is such a rich culture in this country,” Guerra says, “and I wish more people could experience what I have.”
The Most Surprising Part
The most interesting thing for her was learning about the human rights issues when it came to the political prisoners (members of the IRA) in the jails. Because they were fighting against the Loyalist side, they were thought of as terrorists in their own country. They went on hunger strikes and even refused to wear the clothes provided because their community meant more to them than their own lives. They would die of starvation if it meant saving the lives of many others.
The most surprising thing to Guerra was how close the Protestants and Catholics lived to each other. For example, there is just a cement wall separating their neighborhoods in Belfast. There were spots on the wall that show where individuals tried to throw pipe bombs over to the other side.
Abigail Guerra on the Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland in March 2018.
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