The wars in Bosnia seem to be often underestimated and rarely discussed. The Bosnian Conflict began on March 1, 1992 in what was then the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. There was a substantial amount of animosity amongst the three main ethnic groups of the area, the Bosnian Muslims, Croats, and Serbs.
Traumatic ethnic cleansing had detrimental effects on all members of the communities, both demographically and psychologically. Many survivors developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to witnessing deaths and being victims of war rape. Traumatic grief was common in those who had missing family members, enduring the psychological maltreatment of violent soldiers while wondering whether their loved ones were ever coming home.
The goal of the trip was to understand the cultural, psychological, and gender-related components of resilience and recovery from trauma. My hands trembled with anticipation as I prepared my luggage for departure. I felt a plethora of emotional contradictions. I was excited, yet fearful; Optimistic, yet concerned. Why was it so difficult to be ubiquitously enthusiastic and carefree? My mind struggled to comprehend the fact that I would soon be transported to another culture, and travel internationally for the first time in my life.
As thousands of miles seemed to disappear behind us, my thoughts turned to the interactions I would have with the people in Bosnia. I was not quite sure how I would respond when others shared their traumatic experiences. It takes a lot of confidence and strength to share those kinds of stories, so I wanted to be able to respond in a caring and appropriate way.
At the concentration camp in Srebrenica, drops of water that hit the cold stone floor coincided with the slow rhythm of people observing poignantly sad images of the soldiers’ treatment of the Bosnian Muslims. Pictures of soldiers’ graffiti showed the defamation of women and ominous words such as “I’m your best friend-I kill you for nothing”. The biggest question in my mind was How can human beings commit such atrocities to one another?
Hundreds of stark white grave markers emerged from the snow like somber spikes in Srebrenica, the site of a 1995 massacre which claimed the lives of over 8,000 Bosnian Muslims. An impactful quote was engraved on my heart during a discussion with one of the Mothers of Srebrenica. She described how dozens of her family members were dead or missing after the massacre, and in talking about this said “The most joyful day of my life was when I was able to bury my son’s remains…There weren’t many, but I was proud to be able to bury them”. The fact that this mother had the ability to find peace in the midst of horrific circumstances was astonishing, inspiring, and heartbreaking all at the same time. I observed the tender-hearted nature and raw fortitude of this woman with both respect and amazement, failing to imagine in my own mind what she must have felt during that time and even now as the white grave markers serve as quotidian reminders of unspeakable horror.
These discussions were indescribably powerful. “Through these interactions, I heard stories of tragedies that I never could imagine living through, but I also heard stories of incredible strength and resilience as community members worked to rebuild their lives after the suffering the country endured”, said senior Amber Williams.
When we traveled to Croatia and Austria, the cultural differences were astonishing. There was an absence of apparent strife and there were no bullet holes in the walls. The people were still warm and kind, but there was a definite difference in the environment. It was interesting to see the contrast between countries that were so close together.
Experiences such as the Vienna Opera, the United Nations, and fulfilling a personal dream of seeing Beethoven’s house were experiences which I will cherish for the rest of my life. What’s more, I was able to share these times with a group of people I love. I have become stronger as a person, student, and global citizen.
My colleagues and I have been forever changed. “Having a study abroad experience is a life changer”, said sophomore Pawandeep Kaur, “because it gives one the opportunity to connect with a world we are uncomfortable in”. This service learning abroad will allow us as students to make a positive difference and increase awareness of cultural and societal issues in the Bosnian society.
