Student Ambassador Javier Donoso explores Irish history, finding surprising connections between Ireland and his home country, Chile. Read more on the blog!
EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, is a place I visited a couple of years after arriving in Dublin. Learning the history of Ireland and its people has been an enriching journey since I came as a student, as language and a bachelor’s degree mean little without understanding the past and popular culture.
Sometimes we think that distant countries, such as Chile and Ireland, might have unrelated histories, but the truth is that, in this world, we are all somehow connected. Did you know that the first Head of State of Chile (Supreme Director) was of Irish descent? Bernardo O’Higgins, a leader in Chile’s independence, was the son of Ambrose Bernard O’Higgins, who was born in County Sligo and later moved to Spain before working for the Spanish in Chile. 
The more I learn about Irish history, the better I can understand the modern society where I study, work, and live. One of the aspects that astonished me most at EPIC was discovering how the Irish were forced to flee their country due to the Great Famine in the mid-1800s. Although it is a sad moment in Ireland’s history, it has now become part of the Irish identity. You can see this in the streets: there is always someone—a volunteer or a passer-by—caring for the homeless and ensuring they do not go hungry. There is always a hot meal, always a cup of tea, and always solidarity and hope. It shows that people know and remember their collective story.
Finally, with regards to migration in general, knowing that so many people left Ireland for the wider world in the harshest conditions, often with a one-way ticket and the hope of survival and a new beginning, makes me reflect on how fortunate we are today to migrate in this technological era. Whenever we feel homesick, we can call or text our families, or get a plane ticket to return home if an emergency arises. In the past, people left with only the hope of one day seeing their loved ones again. This part of history teaches us resilience and gratitude, qualities that we can carry forward to be stronger and more appreciative of what we have.
Javier Donoso is studying Bachelor of Arts at Independent College via Education in Ireland.