My first two days in Northern Ireland were very different from what I expected. Before arriving, I assumed the conflict here would be similar to modern politics in the United States. I expected there to be disagreements and some resentment between groups, but I thought it would mostly exist in people’s opinions rather than in their daily lives. After visiting the Peace Walls and learning more about the history of the Troubles, I quickly realized that this conflict is much more real and personal. Although Northern Ireland has made significant progress toward peace, there is still a feeling of tension that exists beneath the surface.

The moment that had the biggest impact on me was seeing the Peace Walls and the homes behind them. Looking at the walls themselves was powerful, but what really stayed with me were the protective barriers and security measures on the houses nearby. It made me realize that this is not just a political disagreement or something people read about in history books—it has shaped the way people live every day. That realization became even stronger during our visit to the Ulster Museum. Seeing propaganda that warned a firebomber could be anyone and viewing a diagram that showed where to search a car for bombs completely changed my perspective. It was eye-opening to think that people once went to work, walked down the street, or drove to school knowing they had to be alert because the person next to them could be carrying out an attack. That experience grounded me in the reality of what people lived through during the Troubles. Instead of seeing the conflict as a historical event, I began to understand it as a lived experience whose effects are still felt today, even as Northern Ireland continues to move toward a more peaceful future.