Lessons From Local People by Gary Norris

For Gary, studying abroad in Ireland transformed history from something he studied into something he experienced. Through the Representing Empire Study Abroad program, he explored the streets of Dublin, where reminders of the 1916 Uprising and the Irish War of Independence remain visible in the city’s landmarks and in the stories shared by local residents.

As he visited historic sites, Gary discovered bullet marks preserved on monuments and buildings that served as lasting reminders of Ireland’s past. Conversations with Dublin locals, including a bookstore employee whose family was affected by the Irish Civil War and a veteran who shared the history of Fusiliers’ Arch, gave him a deeper understanding of how these events continue to shape people’s lives today.

His story reflects how Global Initiatives may help UW Bothell students connect classroom learning with meaningful cultural experiences that leave a lasting impact.