Our first stop in Belfast set the tone for the trip, a visit to a local youth center. There, we learned about their vital work in helping young people in the surrounding area and, particularly, their efforts to integrate Protestants and Catholics. Being in Belfast in person offered a starkly different perspective on the lingering divides even after the peace deal. It was astonishing to see the many walls that still separate communities, especially as I’d initially believed Northern Ireland was closer to full integration. Hearing that only about three percent of schools are integrated between Catholics and Protestants was also incredibly insightful. After our brief meeting, we visited Saint Peter’s Chapel, which quickly became the highlight of my trip. As someone from a Catholic background, having the chance to recite a short prayer in a church with such a tumultuous history was an incredibly special and unforgettable moment. After some much-needed rest at our hotel, we gathered for a group dinner. Eager to experience traditional Irish fare, I ordered the delicious Guinness Stew. Over dinner, we also had the opportunity to delve deeper into our project topics, discussing them with Brandon and learning more about Carrigart. Later that evening, we returned to the youth center to hear a firsthand account of the Troubles from Steven, who lived through the events as a young boy. His perspective on witnessing people die was both heartbreaking and crucial for a full understanding of the conflict. He then elaborated on the youth center’s activities, highlighting one particularly poignant aspect: they feed local children every night, as some lack access to food at home. To cap off the night, a few other Haller students and I ventured out to local pubs, where we had engaging conversations with the incredibly inviting locals, all of whom were genuinely interested in why we were visiting. The next day kicked off with a city tour, taking us through areas heavily impacted by the Troubles. We visited one of Europe’s largest peace walls, where we not only signed our names but also added some of our own artwork – I even drew a duck, though it paled in comparison to the impressive art already there! Next, a tour of a parliament building gave us a fascinating glimpse into the vastly different political system compared to the American government. We rounded out our day with dinner at John Longs, where I savored one of the most famous Irish/British dishes: fish and chips.