Mo Fahad Explores Humanity in Northern Ireland Through Fulbright

This summer, Mo Fahad, a rising sophomore in Carnegie Mellon University’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is studying abroad at Queen’s University Belfast through the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes. As part of the program, Fahad is delving into questions of identity, conflict and reconciliation in a region with a complex history.

Fahad, a member of the National and International Fellowships and Scholarships listing.

“I saw Northern Ireland and immediately knew I had to apply,” he said. “I have a specific interest in Northern Ireland because I want to write a comparative paper on South Asia and Northern Ireland — how both regions were raised under British imperial rule and how that shaped their national identities and literature.”

The program, “Identity and Intergroup Relations in Divided Societies,” takes students across Northern Ireland to explore how Protestant and Catholic communities are working toward peace following decades of conflict.

“I'll be working with NGOs, policymakers and government agencies to see how they create a community where people accept each other despite a history of fighting,” Fahad said.

The experience is not just academic, but also personal for Fahad.

“I feel like it will be a great experience for me to branch out and learn more about what it means to be human, because I feel like that's kind of what I've been wanting to target while studying the humanities. I feel like I'm at a loss for myself as well, so I took up the challenge of reading the world’s fundamental religious texts,” he said. “Going to Northern Ireland encapsulates that search — Protestants and Catholics with religious differences, and I’ll be able to explore how those influence identity.”

The Humanities Scholars Program at CMU has played a key role in shaping Fahad’s path.

“It provided me with so many opportunities to experience the world,” Fahad said. “It’s shown me how disciplines interact in an interdisciplinary format, especially at a place like CMU, where there’s such a big focus on STEM and technology culture.”

As he embarks on his first trip outside the United States, Fahad is ready for the challenge.

“To be a foreigner is to see the world through a new pair of eyes,” he said, quoting writer Pico Iyer. “I can’t wait to return and share how this experience has helped me grow — not just as a student, but as a human being.”