<p>Recent harassment of internationals in Belfast UK make me worry that I should discourage Lake Jr. from applying to an exchange program at Queens University Belfast. It would otherwise be a great opportunity, as I understand that QUB is one of the best universities in the UK. But I don't like what I've read about ugly hate crimes wherein the homes of immigrants are vandalized and even more disturbing was the incident wherein a professor from China was severely beaten by hooligans.</p>
<p>I've seen no reports of violence on or near the QUB campus, but obviously Belfast and Northern Ireland generally have a tragic past regarding ethnic conflict. On the surface QUB would seem to offer a fascinating experience for an exchange student, as I read about the international community on campus. Yet it can't be all that great if international students do not dare to step a block or two away from their dorms or lecture halls. </p>
<p>Firstly, Queens is not one of the best universities in the UK, by a long way. Secondly, it’s only parts of Belfast that are like that. Most are ok to be honest. If you’re that worried, I’d suggest looking at exchange with Scottish Universities (St. Andrews/Edinburgh) or Irish (TCD/UCD)</p>
<p>It’s one of those things where the active fighting is largely a thing of the past now - and has been for a good 15 years. So long as he keeps damn quite about both religion and politics, he’ll be fine. The conflict was never ethnic, it was sectarian, hence why I say to keep quite about religion (especially Catholic v Protestant). From what I understand, QUB is in the nice area of Belfast, and he’s unlikely to have any trouble there. He’ll have no reason to go to the seriously sectarian areas and then start antagonising people. </p>
<p>The reports of harassment are, as I understand it, fairly isolated. Don’t forget that as most of the Troubles were funded by US citizens, he’s likely to get a better reception than many others anyway. </p>
<p>However, if you’re seriously worried there are plenty of other good options throughout RoI and the UK. </p>
<p>Definitely get a hold of admissions people and find out what’s going on. Lots of great universities in the UK. St. Andrews in Scotland is great and obviously Oxford and Cambridge are unparalleled. (Oldest DD read at Oxford both for her junior year in college and for graduate school; truly the most challenging academic exercise of her life.)</p>
<p>Neither NI or RoI has much experience of non-nationals, and have historically been very homogenous - to be blunt, white- societies. Over the last 10-15 year they have both had substantial immigration, and as you will know from the US, that is not an easy process. People blame the newcomers for all sorts of things- for looking different, for speaking differently, for “taking” jobs, for crime- think of how there are pockets of hostility to hispanics in the US. Queens is a good college- not Oxford, certainly, but Ox isn’t right for everybody. In fact, Americans typically get a very warm welcome in NI - and not just for support of the Republican side of the Troubles. </p>
<p>I have worked in NI, and have friends there, and really it is a lovely place, and great fun for a student. It is a much smaller city than you may be imagining. If Lake Jr is excited about it, go for it. If Lake Jr is not Caucasian you might have some conversations about handling challenging situations, about being aware of your surroundings, etc. </p>
<p>Most of all- Caucasian or not- have conversations about drinking (legal at 18). UK & Irish students drink a <em>lot</em>. Learning how to handle that, pace yourself, deal with other drunk people, and so on is part of growing up over the way. Even a very smart, level headed kid might not get the difference between frat house drinking and lager louts. </p>
<p>I agree with collegemom. My wife is ANglo-Irish and we have been to both RoI and NI for many visits. Most of the people are absolutely lovely, eager to meet new people and very social. </p>
<p>I would counsel not worrying about it so much and just going for it. You will have an important experience, there is very little violence compared to what it was like before. It can change your life.</p>