By Chidinma Ikenwa | MA Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Manchester

I never expected that something I first learned about in a history class would one day bring me to Bosnia.

I applied for the Master’s in Peace and Conflict Studies at Manchester because I want to become an international relations analyst with the knowledge to support people affected by conflict. As part of our course, we get the opportunity to go on a research field trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina and gain practical experience. The conflict between 1992-1995 creates an opportunity to understand our studies in a real-life situation. This was a full circle moment for me as I had first heard about Bosnia in 2014 with respect to the first world war and the killing of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife and was now visiting. Aside from what I’d read, I did not know much about it so was really excited to visit.

The war museums and other monuments in Bosnia which help with memorialisation was my focus. We visited several important institutions in Sarajevo, including the Parliamentary Assembly, the EU Delegation, and the OSCE, as well as museums in Jablanica and cultural sites in Mostar. Some of my highlights were visiting the War Childhood Museum and seeing the Neretva River, which was beautiful.The Yellow Fortress in Sarajevo, which I climbed and relaxed on the last day of the trip before we departed Bosnia, was the apogee for me as it represented how exciting and unnerving it was coming to Bosnia, while I had researched and prepared well. There were some challenges along the way, but it ended up being one of the best trips of my life. This was because getting to the Yellow Fortress involved climbing a hill. Nevertheless, the view of the city from that point was amazing. My highlights also include the food, the people and the blend of different cultures which represents the unique identity of Bosnians.

This trip really brought my course to life and helped me think about how to understand and approach real-world conflicts. It showed me that clarity comes with action. On my Masters I have become more equipped, skilled and experienced to know what I want to do and how to do it. Whether it’s to work with an international organization or a national one or to work as a volunteer or get a PhD, my options and opportunities have expanded. I am excited about what will come next. This trip provided an opportunity to see and understand Bosnia before, during, and after the war from different sides, and that is something only first-hand experience can give you. The program offers a unique opportunity to go on a research field trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina for a week, gaining direct insight into the peculiarities of peace and conflict studies in an ever-evolving international system, some aspects familiar and some not so familiar. I highly recommend this program, the faculty, and the University of Manchester.

N.B. I will definitely visit again as I truly learnt a lot and enjoyed the trip.

Chidinma Ikenwa is a postgraduate student on the MA Peace and Conflict Studies programme at the University of Manchester.

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