What is it like being growing up in a place notorious for conflict?

Gavin, 19

I am currently a student studying in Belfast. I grew up in the west of Northern Ireland and this is just my second year living in Belfast. I stay in Belfast during the week and travel home every weekend. I live in a small village that is directly on the border. You could literally throw a stone from my house across into the Republic of Ireland.

About three years ago I was lucky enough to be picked for the Ulster Project, a cross-community project that allows Catholics and Protestants to travel across to America. I went to Tennessee for nine weeks. I really enjoyed it as I got to stay with a great family. However I found that some Americans had really strange opinions of Ireland. I got asked such questions as: "Do you have running water and electricity?" Some Americans must think that Ireland is still made up of thatched cottages!

I think that as far as the troubles go, Americans view Northern Ireland as bombs going off every day and people being shot at all the time - but it's not always like that.

Yet, unfortunately, sometimes it is. I myself had a bad experience of the troubles. My uncle was shot by loyalist paramilitaries while he was working in Belfast. They broke into the house in the middle of the night and shot him while he slept just because he was a Catholic.

I think too many people have suffered because of the troubles and that they have to stop. I have heard of some people who are afraid to visit Northern Ireland because of the troubles but everyone who has visited it will tell you that everybody is very friendly. We are well known for being laid-back and enjoying ourselves.

Of all my time in living and studying in Belfast I have never seen any trouble and am enjoying myself thoroughly. The student life here is fantastic. I think the future of Northern Ireland looks good and that the peace process is a good start to ending the troubles here.