Comments of participants on Explore programme
‘I was totally shocked at the level of frankness, openness and honesty expected from us. Instead of side stepping important issues, we were actively encouraged to discuss them in depth and describe our feelings connected with these issues'
'I used to live in a bubble, believing I was not affected by sectarianism in Northern Ireland. It was only when I was pushed to think about it that I realised just how deeply sectarianism was embedded in my community'
‘This programme has shown me what I can do, how the smallest action can really have the biggest impact. I now know that I actually can make a difference'
- ‘Before I went on the trip I was almost wishy washy in my views and took for granted so many things in my culture and I found myself so proud of who I was, where I came from, my culture and even my school. My identity was not watered down by SOE but strengthened so much so that I now have a stronger sense of being ‘Irish' and a Roman Catholic'
- ‘I can honestly say I have never felt prouder to be a Protestant in all my life'
‘On the first day of the programme I knew exactly who was Protestant and who was Catholic but at the end of the overseas visit I found myself unaware of the difference'
‘I could never fully express what SOE has given me, its' an indescribable feeling, a whole new attitude and outlook that money just can't buy. It's just priceless'
‘It has made me more aware of certain issues such as sexuality, racism and sectarianism...... The reason I have become a lot more aware of issues like these is due to the fact that within our workshops overseas I was encouraged to talk about these issues rather than just ignoring them or pushing them aside'
‘Overall it's made me a stronger person and I feel I have a clearer identity and more aspirations to the person I want to become'
'As a young Catholic woman I always had my faith but until now I don't think I ever had such an appreciation of it. I have learned that religion forms a lot of my morals and opinions. Before I thought I didn't care about my religion because I saw it as one of the things that caused so much trouble in NI, but now I see it as an identity. I am proud to say I am a young Catholic woman yet I also respect those of other traditions'
‘As a staunch Protestant from Belfast I was wholly submersed in my own culture growing up, and never got the opportunity to interact or even see the other side's point of view, the trip overseas enabled me to look at Catholic traditions and views in a surrounding that made each of us feel comfortable, away from the political struggle, we were also able to look at the problems Northern Ireland has faced in the past and what new ones may arise. I quickly found out that many of my perceptions were incredibly naïve and bred of years of my experiences with only one culture. This is not to say that my views were wrong, my views have not changed, but my perceptions have'
‘I've learnt something that cannot be taught by any school or university. I've learnt these things from nine other young people'
'I learnt that for any of my opinions to be valid I have to be able to justify them or have some way to back them up or else they were only ideas' ‘I was able to live with people of another belief for two weeks, some of them believing in things that are polar to my beliefs, some growing up with ideas that I grew up learning to oppose, yet not only was I able to survive, I was able to get along with these people and produce an experience that has educated me and that I have come to value extremely highly'
- ‘Although I cannot change my family or friends, I can change myself and I have'
‘It was only when I got home that I realised just how much I learned! I found a new confidence in myself and I am proud of my background and of my country'
'Since returning from the trip I feel a greater sense of personal identity in that I feel I can consider myself a dual citizen, both British and Irish, and not have to resign myself to what might be expected of me or what flag is flown in my area'
‘although I now have strong views I also have a new found understanding of the Protestant community concerning their traditions and faiths'
‘My life has changed for the better, some of my views have not changed but I have been transformed from a hard hearted loyalist to a mature citizen of NI which is willing to contribute to make NI a success'
‘Before the Spirit of Enniskillen I did not feel I could or would play any part in the future of Northern Ireland. In fact I planned to leave as soon as possible and go to a university on the mainland, thus leaving all the problems behind me. However, I am more determined than ever to be part of Northern Ireland's future. I can make a difference'
‘It took me a while but I now realise that you really don't have to agree with anyone's point of view. As long as you understand why they think what they do'
‘He's the one who had the most different lifestyle from mine - he's Catholic, he lives in a city, he see's himself as ‘working class', he works etc. I don't think I have met someone like that before and naturally, outside of this project, I don't think I would have been friends with him'
‘I feel that I have developed a deeper and more empathetic understanding for people who have views contrary to my own; and through this understanding I believe that I have learnt a certain sense of mutual respect for their opinions and culture'
‘Since coming home (from the USA) I now really understand how important it was to have that safe environment to debate and discuss such issues like symbolism, politics, peer pressure and religion'
'Through my SOE experience I have found that I have become more curious about other religions and cultures. I've begun to ask more questions to find out as much as I can'
‘My learning has affected my view on Northern Ireland. I was rather sheltered before and didn't ask questions. It has made me more aware of the situation and it has given me the incentive to find out more and to do what I can'
'Being aware of other people's opinions has made me strengthen my own'
- ‘Although I was stretched farther both mentally and physically than I had ever anticipated, each stage of challenges brought rewards which far outweighed fatigue'