Short In Cross-Cultural Experience In N. Ireland

Jacob Short

Jacob Short, son of Brian Short, Pettisville, and Sandy Short, Stryker, and a Pettisville High School graduate, is participating in a cross-cultural experience in Northern Ireland.

He is one of 16 Bluffton University students spending the fall 2008 semester abroad there. A junior, he is majoring in communications.

The 15-week residential program seeks to increase understanding of the complexities of the troubles in Northern Ireland so they can use the knowledge to analyze and increase understanding of conflict in their own and other societies.

Students will take five classes during 10 weeks at Magee College at the University of Ulster, while living with local Catholic and Protestant families. Each will be assigned to a five-week internship with organizations committed to non-violent means of resolving conflict.

They will maintain close contact with the Corrymeela community, the largest reconciliation group in Northern Ireland.

Students will also travel to Dublin and the United Kingdom.