Previously in our Northern Roots series we’ve spoken to readers originally from Northern Ireland but currently living elsewhere. This week we’re mixing things up. We speak to Karolina Urbańska, from Poland and lived in Northern Ireland throughout her years at school and university. She now resides in France. You can follow Karolina on Twitter @kurbanska01.

 

1. Tell us about yourself. When did you leave Northern Ireland, and where did you go? What do you do now?

Originally, I am from Poland, but I moved Northern Ireland with my family in my teenage years. I remember coming here for the first time and going for a trip with my parents. We got to this beautiful city up north, but confused by conflicting signs, I asked my dad: “So, what is this city called? Is it Derry or Londonderry?” just to be shushed and told to never ask questions like this in public – just to be safe. And here started my journey.

I went to school here, I attended Queen’s where I did my undergrad and my PhD. So, Northern Ireland is very much a second home to me. Sadly, I left a few months ago as I accepted a job offer in central France. I currently work as a postdoctoral researcher at a university. I am a social and political psychologist with an interest on relations between social groups.

 

2. What do you think when you see the Northern Ireland of today, in the news and on social media?

There is so much happening now (at least politically) that concerns Northern Ireland. One part of me is happy because we are finally getting the attention with the media across the Irish Sea, which increases some understanding of the complexities of politics here. More recently, however, I saw that the Lonely Planet website listed Belfast as the number one place to visit in 2018, which reminded me how beautiful Northern Ireland is ; it really elicited a sense of pride.

 

3. Are you hopeful for Northern Ireland’s future? Will Brexit make a difference?

I would like to be hopeful because in the last few years I saw Belfast transform so much. It is amazing to see how much tourism has grown and how the culinary scene has developed, so in those terms I really want to hope that it will continue to head in that direction. As for the Brexit, I really don’t know… but I want to be optimistic and think that there will be no negative consequences. One can dream.

 

4. Do you think you will return to Northern Ireland? What could convince you to come back?

Maybe not soon, but one day perhaps. At the minute, there are too many places I would like to live in and it does not help that there are so many uncertainties regarding the impact of Brexit. So, for now, I will be watching closely from far away.

 

5. What can Northern Ireland learn from the place you live now?

It’s a difficult one because I haven’t lived in France that long, but I think one quality that I found admirable is how the country really came together after terrorist attacks. There is actually scientific evidence which comes from the university department I work in at the minute, which shows that after the attacks the prejudice against Muslims has decreased in comparison to before the attacks. For me, it’s really note-worthy to see how in the face of the threat, people come together and show how they can unite against the common enemy instead of creating further divisions. I would like to see this sort of response in Northern Ireland one day, because I think we have the potential. But, you know, if that doesn’t happen then having wine and cheese will do just fine too!

 

6. If Northern Ireland had a president with sweeping powers, and it was you, what would you do?

Where do I start with this one, really? There are a lot of things that really need attention (abortion and same-sex marriage legislation, segregated education and housing, abuse of Stormont’s Petition of Concern), but I think none of these really matter unless we have a government.

So, I think that bringing back the Assembly is really the pressing issue at the minute. And I think I am going to please one of the Northern Slant editors with this one: I really think that citizens’ assembly is a viable option for moving forward along with the re-established Assembly.

 

7. What would you like to see more of on Northern Slant?

You guys are really doing an awesome job with the videos.

 

8. If you could ask three Northern Ireland politicians (past or present) to dinner, who would they be? And why?

Naomi Long (Alliance Party leader and MLA) is the person that comes to my mind first. In terms of politics, I feel that she represents the Northern Ireland that I hope to see one day: a country for everyone.

Second, would be Gerry Carroll (People Before Profit MLA for West Belfast) because he represents a form of a populist voice that is not widely present in the current political scene. Usually, when we talk about populist movements we think of the extreme right, but this could not be more detached from Gerry’s politics. So, I am just interested (mostly as a political psychologist) to find out what is the appeal of the left-wing populism.

For the third one, let’s be controversial. I would pick Jonathan Bell (ex-DUP MLA and minister) because although I do not agree with his political stance, as a researcher it was fascinating for me to see how politicians who belong to very established camps can choose to become the black sheep in the name of higher morals of what is right and wrong (or at least that’s how it was portrayed).

 

9. Do you have a favourite quote, or mantra?

Sorry, I’m too cynical to live my life by mantras 🙂

 

10. What’s your message for people back home?

Northern Ireland is really full of wonderful and kind people, and these are the people who are the postcard for this country – not the ones who try to create divisions.

Also published on Medium.