Studying Peace, Trauma, and Religion: A Story from a PTR Student
Do you also have the feeling that Covid now feels far behind us? I’m really sorry if I’m bringing up a topic now you’d rather not be reminded of. However, during this period, I actually had my first introduction to The Amsterdam Centre for Religion and Peace & Justice Studies. Because, I did the minor Peace & Conflict at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam. It was super interesting and I enjoyed it a lot. At the time, I was doing my bachelor’s in International Development Studies at the Wageningen University, and this minor was a refreshing and broadening addition to that. The Peace, Trauma and Religion (PTR) master’s track was mentioned during my minor at that time as a potential follow-up. I let it sit for a while, but when I started looking at master’s programs as I approached the end of my bachelor’s, it resurfaced.
And so, after the summer holidays of ’23, I started PTR, together with wonderful fellows. We kicked off with an intensive but rewarding summer school and we followed several courses. The program has taught me more about visible and invisible power structures and the need to be aware of them, especially as someone privileged. The master’s has also deepened my understanding of the interrelation of peace, trauma, and religion. We had a very moving excursion to Colombia, where we learned more about the conflict and the ongoing peace process. But not only that; the people we met were very hospitable and shared their experiences, emotions, and thoughts with us. Something for which I am deeply grateful to them.
During this year, I also did an internship at the policy department of Nidos, an organisation that arranges guardianship and youth protection for unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) in the Netherlands. I worked on a project for the organisation, reviving an outdated study. This study, along with the project it was part of, aimed to improve the guidance for families in cases of reunification, supervision orders, and teenage parenthood. In addition to this, I also joined staff members in several meetings and work visits, including one in Ter Apel. During the internship, I gained new experiences and knowledge considering the work of Nidos. It was valuable to get an understanding of what life as and employee can look like, but just as important was the opportunity to learn more about the situation in the Netherlands regarding the reception and care of newcomers, especially of URMs.
At the moment, I am still working on my thesis, which I am writing about the role of religion in working with URMs. As you might understand, PTR and the internship have caused this inspiration. When I have written my thesis, I will graduate. And what then? For the ones who like open endings… it still remains a question to me too. Right now, I sometimes look up some vacancies, since I do know that I want to look for a job. But what kind of job that will become? Future will tell.
Written by: Nadia Huisman
