A Derry, PA, Girl Learns About the Real-Life Derry Girls, Northern Ireland in Fulbright UK Summer Institute

This summer, Mara Lewis (C'27) traveled to Northern Ireland, where she participated in a Fulbright UK Summer Institute, a competitive and fully-funded program that empowers exceptional American undergraduates to study abroad.

Lewis stayed at Queen's University Belfast, where she studied the historical, political and cultural landscape of Northern Ireland. The program focused on the historical, cultural and political history of the region as a jumping-off point for discussions of division and conflict resolution around the world.

"My time in Belfast was transformative," said Lewis. "I made deep connections with those in my program and spoke with so many brilliant professors. I'm thankful to have been welcomed into the community and I hope to one day return to Queen's University Belfast."

A Derry, PA Girl Learns About the Real-Life Derry Girls

Lewis, who is originally from Derry, Pennsylvania, came to the Hilltop interested in exploring conflict and communion between different groups of people.

"I chose Georgetown due to its commitment to community service and fostering understanding between different cultures and communities," said Lewis. "One of my favorite experiences at Georgetown was through the Center for Social Justice, when I visited Detroit and learned about it through the lens of racial justice. Many of the discussions and themes discussed during the Summer Institute at Queen's University Belfast were reminiscent of my experiences in the Alternative Breaks Program."

Lewis' summer program was divided into two halves, one that focused on the particular history of Northern Ireland and Belfast and another that included a broader exploration of identity and intergroup relations in divided societies.

"I learned about identity and intergroup relations in divided societies and I explored the psychology of division, the process of "othering" and how that leads to extreme polarization and radicalism," said Lewis, who plans to major in psychology. "As someone interested in social psychology, this part of the summer institute was fascinating and relevant to my academic path."

For Lewis, seeing firsthand how a lasting peace can be built on the grounds of violent disagreement was an eye-opening experience.

"In all of my conversations with cab drivers, professors and Belfast locals, there was a shared understanding that though Northern Ireland is deeply divided, there is no place for violence," said Lewis. "Tension hangs over the region - and stances on the future of Northern Ireland remain polarized - yet each community has found ways to build peace and create connections among one another."

A visit to the Museum of Free Derry, which commemorates the massacre of Bloody Sunday and the events of the Troubles, will remain with Lewis as she returns to campus.

"This visit stuck with me because it reminded me how alive Northern Ireland's history is and how it continues to affect everyone living there," said Lewis. "Through all of these moments, I am reminded of the importance of listening to the stories of those affected by times of conflict and violence to gain a nuanced perspective of the situation."

Lewis on the Hilltop

As an extension of her academic interests, Lewis worked as a research assistant in Jennifer Woolard's Community Research Group. Woolard, a professor in the Department of Psychology and vice dean of faculty affairs in the College of Arts & Sciences, studies ways that individuals and families interact with systems of care and control, such as the criminal justice system and the school system.

As a research assistant, Lewis worked on the Protection Orders Project examining restraining orders in Washington, DC. Her work involved collecting cases at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, entering case data and engaging with the scientific literature on protection orders.

"Mara joined our research group and jumped right in to the work, actively engaging in our lab meetings and asking questions of our research partners," said Woolard. "As a first year student, she quickly became an important part of our team."

During her first year at Georgetown, Lewis has also been an active member of the Hilltop community outside of the lab, becoming involved with GU Women of Color, a member organization of the Student of Color Alliance, and playing on the Club Ultimate Frisbee team. This fall, Lewis will be a member of the Black Student Alliance Board and a tutor at the Writing Center.

Lewis received her summer scholarship from the Fulbright Commission, which selects awardees through a rigorous process.

"In making these awards, the Commission looks not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills and a plan to give back to the recipient's home country upon returning," they said in a release.

Lewis is excited to be back on the Hilltop and hopes more academic travel is in her future.

"During this program, I reflected a lot on how language is used and how it changes based on where one stands," said Lewis. "The summer institute not only gave me insight into Northern Ireland but also made me more mindful of global affairs and conflicts."

-by Hayden Frye (C'17)

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