Tag: emilie roussis Page 1 of 2

Corrymeela begins when we leave: Peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland

Emilie Roussis sits on the beach with a circle of friends, near Corrymeela, Northern Ireland.

For almost three months now I have been living at Corrymeela, a peace and reconciliation center in Northern Ireland.

I have felt overwhelmed and privileged to spend my time here encountering countless courageous individuals and groups working around the globe. In the face of violence and despair, many have taken risks to chase their visions of Shalom.

Some of these peacebuilding initiatives have manifested into cross-community storytelling with Protestants and Catholics in hopes of creating mutual understanding and empathy; as well as building environments where refugees can feel safe in a foreign land, and empowering youth for their futures.

When I arrived for the first time in Northern Ireland, I am ashamed to say that I was completely unaware of the history I was walking into. The violence, death, hatred, and sorrow that I soon became very acquainted with, were completely off my radar.

As far as I knew, I was in one country: Ireland.

I was ignorant of the horrors that had taken place, and eventually devolved into the separation of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

All my preconceived thoughts and assumptions continue to unravel as I meet and converse with people from around the world.

As I think about returning to Canada at the end of the summer, it is my hope that the wisdom I have gained from my new friends, will not only be applied to my studies, but also lived out into my everyday.

Sunset at Corrymeela, Northern Ireland.

At Corrymeela, they say that our experience begins after we leave. This assures me that I have no clue what will happen next.

If I had to try and sum up my time here, this poem would express it best. It is read every morning at worship as we think back to the people who established this place, the volunteers and staff who sustain it, and how we as individuals can embody it.

Courage comes from the heart.
And we are always welcomed by God,
The Croi of all being

We bear witness to our faith,
Knowing that we are called
To live lives of courage, love and reconciliation
In the ordinary and extraordinary moments of each day

We bear witness, too, to our failures
And our complicity in the fractures of our world.

May we be courageous today.
May we learn today.
May we love today. Amen

– Pádraig Ó Tuama

Emilie Roussis is entering her fourth year of a Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies major this fall at CMU.

Outtatown: Two years later

It has officially been two years since my Outtatown (OT) experience. Since then, I have attended CMU and have been working towards completing a Social Science degree in Peace and Conflict Transformation studies. When I think back to my OT experience, three things stand out to me. They are lessons that continue to shape me today. OT helped me discover what it means to be in a relationship with Jesus, taught me the need for community, and helped me discover my passions.

Benefits of attending a small university

There are so many great benefits to a small university. Coming from a small high school of 30 students total, the idea of attending a really big university and getting lost in the shuffle really freaked me out! This is a big reason why CMU caught my eye. Since I decided to attend a small school, I have not regretted my decision to attend CMU. In fact, it has helped me out tremendously!

Living on campus

Living in residence was one of my top highlights of my first year at CMU! Being from out of province, I was nervous that I might get a little lost in the craziness of things in my first year, but being in residence gave me the support and care that I needed in order to properly succeed in school as well as successfully transition from moving away from home to being a more independent person.

Why BAs matter

I often find myself wondering in moments of stress, why am I in school? I begin to daydream about traveling around the world and going on exotic adventures. Seriously, why am I here studying in Winnipeg? This is usually when my parents’ voices start to kick in: “But what about your future, Emilie?” Three things generally come to mind when I think of this question: getting a Bachelor of Arts (BA) can help me build a basic knowledge of diverse subjects; it will open doors and present me with opportunities to benefit my future; and it gives my soon-to-be employers confidence that I am credible and self-motivated.

Page 1 of 2

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén