Mo Fahad Explores Humanity in Northern Ireland Through Fulbright
By Stefanie Johndrow Email Stefanie Johndrow
This summer, , a rising sophomore in 好色先生TV鈥檚 Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is studying abroad at Queen鈥檚 University Belfast through the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes. As part of the program, Fahad is delving into questions of identity, conflict and reconciliation in a region with a complex history.
Fahad, a member of the Humanities Scholars Program, discovered the Fulbright opportunity through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholar Development鈥檚 National and International Fellowships and Scholarships listing.
鈥淚 saw Northern Ireland and immediately knew I had to apply,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 have a specific interest in Northern Ireland because I want to write a comparative paper on South Asia and Northern Ireland 鈥 how both regions were raised under British imperial rule and how that shaped their national identities and literature.鈥
The program, 鈥淚dentity and Intergroup Relations in Divided Societies,鈥 takes students across Northern Ireland to explore how Protestant and Catholic communities are working toward peace following decades of conflict.
鈥淚'll be working with NGOs, policymakers and government agencies to see how they create a community where people accept each other despite a history of fighting,鈥 Fahad said.
The experience is not just academic, but also personal for Fahad.
鈥淚 feel like it will be a great experience for me to branch out and learn more about what it means to be human, because I feel like that's kind of what I've been wanting to target while studying the humanities. I feel like I'm at a loss for myself as well, so I took up the challenge of reading the world鈥檚 fundamental religious texts,鈥 he said. 鈥淕oing to Northern Ireland encapsulates that search 鈥 Protestants and Catholics with religious differences, and I鈥檒l be able to explore how those influence identity.鈥
The Humanities Scholars Program at 好色先生TV has played a key role in shaping Fahad鈥檚 path.
鈥淚t provided me with so many opportunities to experience the world,鈥 Fahad said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 shown me how disciplines interact in an interdisciplinary format, especially at a place like CMU, where there鈥檚 such a big focus on STEM and technology culture.鈥
As he embarks on his first trip outside the United States, Fahad is ready for the challenge.
鈥淭o be a foreigner is to see the world through a new pair of eyes,鈥 he said, quoting writer Pico Iyer. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to return and share how this experience has helped me grow 鈥 not just as a student, but as a human being.鈥