Peace and Conflict Resolution

Hello! My name is Kathleen Stephan and I’m enrolled in the Washington Semester at American University program on Peace and Conflict Resolution. This is my senior year and even though it is strange to think I only have one semester left, I’m really enjoying being in the nation’s capital. Living and studying in DC is helping me to better understand how I can apply my International Studies degree after graduation.

My program is intensive and I am constantly on the go, from my internship at a human trafficking think tank to attending speakers on conflict resolution and peace-building in the Balkans, my days are always full. At times it’s pretty exhausting but I am learning a lot about this field and am getting very excited for my trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Vienna, Austria!

I’d like to talk about two things that are specific to my program and that I’m both anxious and excited about. The first is my research paper. This is a major research project that I have the semester to complete. In the AU program you can select to do a research elective, course elective or just do the seminar and internship. I chose the research elective and even though it is stressful at times the process is teaching me how to better conduct research and plan for longer papers. My topic is an exploration of the provision for elderly persons in post-conflict areas and advocating for their importance to the peace building process. I hope to compile policy recommendations for how existing NGOs can incorporate programs for the elderly into their existing initiatives.

The second is my upcoming trip to the Balkans. My group is flying to Europe in 8 days and I cannot believe it is almost here! I’m excited to see the countries that we have been studying and to learn more about peace building. We will first visit Sarajevo, the capital Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The country of Bosnia and Herzegovina was divided into two federations, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, by the Dayton Accords in 1994. Even though it is one country there remain many cultural and political divisions between the two sides. From Sarajevo we will travel into Republika Srpska and visit Banja Luka. We will also travel to Belgrade in Serbia, through Croatia back into BiH and end in Dubrovnik on the Croatian coast. We will leave Dubrovnik by boat up, travel up the coast and ultimately fly to Vienna for the last three days.

I am still waiting for the exact schedule for our trip but I know we will be very, very busy. My director has already mentioned that we will be meeting with survivors of the war from all sides, religious leaders, politicians, NGO representatives and visiting two orphanages-and those are only the things he’s mentioned in passing!

I’ll be sure to post during my trip if I can and definitely after. I hope everyone is having a good semester at Stonehill and if you have any questions about the Peace and Conflict Program feel free to email me, kathleenstephan@gmail.com