The Doyle Engaging Difference Program - Georgetown University

Throughout college, I have always looked forward to when I could set off on my study abroad journey, hoping to learn more about international relations by immersing myself in a new community. Although I was anxious about the drastic change this would present in my life, I was excited to learn everything I could about a new country and society. When that day finally arrived, despite my extensive preparation driven by my growing excitement for years, I found myself completely unprepared for what I would experience and learn throughout the next four months.

Prior to arriving in Ireland, I had of course recognized that, as a Hindu, I was unlikely to find a large community of people from the same background. In fact, with nearly 70% of the Irish population identifying as Catholic, I was prepared to immerse myself in a largely homogenous religious environment that was unfamiliar to me. However, participating in the Doyle Global Dialogue while studying abroad pushed me to examine the social, political, and cultural impacts of religion on a deeper level in Ireland and in other countries. At the end of it, I can confidently say that my experience studying abroad as a Hindu woman in Ireland was unexpected, educational, and transformative.

The DGD program certainly led me to recognize how deeply rooted Catholicism was in the foundation of Irish society and culture and how heavily it still affected politics. There is a constant push and pull between growing liberalism and the conservative influence of religion in Irish society. For example, two referendums to expand family and care provisions in the Irish constitution were proposed in Ireland in March. Their introduction, however, was highly controversial among the Irish people and on March 8, both referendums were ultimately rejected by a large margin. Ireland had rejected overwhelming liberal change in politics in favor of adherence to religion and tradition. Life in Ireland is heavily structured around Catholicism, whether through church services, festivals, or beliefs.

However, despite my expectations, this influence was not exclusive to those who were religious. Despite not being Catholic, many other friends and I were swept up in the traditions and culture of Catholicism in Ireland. I did not expect to participate in Catholic traditions and culture so extensively, but I quickly learned that it was perhaps the most enriching part of my study abroad experience. From festivals such as Imbolc to attending church services in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, I began immersing myself in Catholicism. Despite my beliefs as a Hindu, I found the Irish community extremely open, welcoming people from many different backgrounds to experience their culture. Furthermore, I saw this trend reflected in the experiences of many others in the DGD program in other countries. I was surprised to see many countries welcome religious diversity even in relatively homogenous communities.

Additionally, I was also surprised to observe that, despite their smaller number, many different religious communities maintained a strong and active presence in Ireland. Hindu festivals such as Holi were celebrated not just by student organizations on college campuses, but by smaller communities in the cities and countryside. For example, Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, was celebrated not only by the Hindu and South Asian campus clubs but also all over Dublin city. The participants were not just limited to Hindus, but also included many native residents of Ireland who sought to join in the festivities and cultures that were not their own. I realized that no matter the number of participants, different cultures were truly represented all over Ireland, making me realize that despite my worries, many different religions had found a place in the country and were equally respected. Many other students in our program also expressed similar experiences, and I was glad to share in this exciting discovery.

Going forward, I hope to adopt the nature of those I met in Ireland and become just as open and welcoming to the differences I observe around me. This includes not just creating a place of community and celebration for my own background, but actively seeking out and understanding those around me, no matter how different they may be. In a country like Ireland, it would have been easy for those around me to ignore my differences. Instead, they welcomed my differences and sought to include them in many different ways while also introducing me to their own lives. It was an experience that gave me new insight into the kindness and knowledge that others can provide. Out of the many things I learned in Ireland, this lesson is one I wish to carry with me in the future.