Dear Mom,

It's the second semester of my Masters course in Written and Verbal Arts here in the University of Ulster Magee and I'm sadly realizing I have only a few months left here in Northern Ireland.

One thing I've found myself wondering about is how much my time here will really change my life.  I've learned so much, not just in the great Irish novels I've read, or the writing workshops I've done with Northern Ireland's best authors.  Not just in the Irish-language lessons I've audited, or the British identity course I sat in on.  Not just in the Gaelic football practices or televised Man U matches.  Not even just in the time spent walking the historic city walls, or in my nights pulling pints at the bar that I tend on weekends (hey, pouring ale is hard!)  All of these moments have taught me and changed me.  All of these moments add up to the complete experience in which I've learned so much about myself.

Now I have a new question: how much can my time here change the life of others?  The answer, I hope, is a lot.  A few weeks ago, with one of my modules, I visited a place in Derry called the Nerve Centre.  The Nerve Centre is an organization furthering the creative arts in Derry and Northern Ireland.  They hold concerts and host film festivals.  They screen independent movies and create educational cartoons.  And they teach children creative arts, too.   

One of the foundations of the Nerve Centre's educational component is that when children look at their own identities analytically, it forces them to consider other groups' identities with more of an open mind.  Through providing children with the means to tell their own story, they're disarming the tensions these children might feel towards others in different communities.  The Nerve Centre is not just enhancing children's individual lives, but making a positive impact on Northern Ireland's future.

After studying the history of the conflict here, I'm moved to see what people are doing to take steps out of the 'Troubles' and into the future.  It is a truly unique Northern Irish experience to witness this healing process and see the innovative ways people are reaching across the divide.

We could all learn a lot from the progress this community has made. I want to bring these ideas to our home, New York.  The fundamental concepts are not limited to Unionist and Nationalist communities, but would help bridge the gap between the diverse groups that make up the mosaic of urban America: the Asian, Muslim, African-American, Latino and Caucasian communities; the different religious communities; the socio-economic communities. When I see what the Nerve Centre has done for Northern Ireland, I am inspired to act, too.   

I want to bring this idea back to the United States and start a non-profit to teach children all the creative arts I've learned over the years, as a way to tell their own New York story. After internships in audio production and graphic design, and a year long course in creative writing, I know I have the skills to put this plan into action. I want to use my love of the arts to make a difference.  I hope that I, too, can give these children the gift of creative expression, and make a difference in the greater New York City community as well.   

In these few months I have left, I'm going to be meeting with the educational directors of the Nerve Centre and speaking with educational consultants from the States.  I will return home not only with a degree and a year of memories, but a concrete plan to make this dream a reality.

Remember how I told you I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life, that I loved all my coursework and internships but nothing stuck out as my life's ambition?  Remember how I said I was hoping to just walk into something while over here that would give me a goal for my life?  You laughed, and told me to just go and enjoy it, that living abroad is about having a good time.   

Well I've had a blast—I adore the culture here, and the people that have made this place feel like home.  But I've found myself too, just like I hoped.  When I walked into the Nerve Centre, I took a step into something that will give shape and meaning to my life when I return home.   

Not bad for a year abroad...and no, I won't say 'I told you so.'

Love, Kerry