There's no place like home

Hello from Ellicott City, MD! While this summer has been an absolutely amazing experience, there is just nothing like driving down Old Annapolis Rd. when the sun is shining, with the windows down listening to Dave Matthews on the radio :-D

I've been home for about a week now and am really enjoying catching up with my family and friends here. We had some relatives in from out of town this weekend and on Saturday I got to show them around DC. After being away so long it was really great getting to see so much of the city in one day. I made sure to include a stop at Georgetown on the tour :)

There are about a million people I want to thank for making my trip this summer possible...I'll be sending out emails later this month but I just wanted you to know that I couldn't have done any of it (the research or all the logistical stuff) without your love and support, so THANK YOU!

And finally, as always, pictures!!


Queen's University


City Hall in Belfast


Stormont (the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly)


One of several political murals in West Belfast


Dunluce Castle

This trip has gone by way too (Bel)fast

Hey there! Can't believe it's actually the last night of my trip...nearly 3 months ago I set out on what has been an absolute whirwind of a summer. While I'm definitely sad that it's over, I'm also extremely excited to finally get home and catch up with my friends and family :)

Despite the everpresent rain (they say there are only 2 types of weather in Northern Ireland: raining and about to rain), the last 2 weeks in Belfast have been just lovely. My hosts, Maria and Fearghal O'Loan, have been unbelievably sweet and I've had a great time getting to know them, their friends, and their crazy dog Daisy.

Research wise, I interviewed several people from both the Nationalist and Unionist communities and found many points of comparison between the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the other countries I've visited this summer. For one, the conflict, which is generally political in nature, is often misrepresented as an ethnic clash between Catholics and Protestants. This phenomenon seemed to affect the Thai and Indian situations as well. Also, while the current political system was created to ensure each group a voice, it often leads to gridlock/stalemate (like in Bosnia-Herzegovina). There's a ton more to say about the research and I'll definitely try and upload my paper somehow when I finish it in December.

While in town, I also managed to fit in some touristy visits to the Giant's Causeway, the parliament building at Stormont, and the famous political murals in West Belfast. I promise more pictures to come once I get home :)

That's all for now so I'm going to finish packing before heading to bed, see you on the other side of the Atlantic!!