What makes PACS different?
In the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) Program, we are committed to blending theory and practice so that you will have both the theoretical understanding of peaceful social change and practical skills to be an agent of change. We do this inside the classroom through the extensive use of role-plays and simulations, and through drawing on the expertise of the community practitioners who teach some of our specialized courses using insights drawn directly from field experience. We also have our own internship program that exposes students to hands-on experiences locally, nationally, and internationally. Additionally, we offer a conflict management skill training intensive course.
Below are a few stories of PACS students sharing their unique experiences in the PACS program. These stories help highlight what might be expected in being part of the PACS community at the University of Waterloo. Click on each name to read their stories.
Dustin Fulgur
Dustin Fulgur
For nearly a decade, Dustin Fulgur worked in security, as he considered a career in policing or the military. Now, as a third-year Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) student, he is reexamining the structures at play in society.
Reflecting on his decision to join PACS, Dustin spoke about how the challenges his friends faced in high school influenced him. “I think a lot of my drive for justice came from the community I had in high school. I had a kind of misfit crowd, a lot of the rainbow crew, LGBTQ+ type of thing.” Adding that “Instead of just being the hand that sends them away to a cell or brings more problems to people's lives, I want to be able to change those type of situations around.”
Adey Gebrehiwot
Adey Gebrehiwot
Adey Gebrehiwot is a final year Arts and Business student majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) whose passion for social and environmental justice is palpable. Although Adey always envisioned attending law school, she realized her career interests involved promoting community well-being and systemic change. A few weeks after enrolling in PACS 201: Roots of Conflict, Violence, and Peace, Adey was intrigued and found herself declaring a PACS major and Legal Studies minor.
Looking for ways to put PACS skills into action, she started volunteering with The Ripple Effect Education (TREE) as a workshop facilitator. In this role, she worked with children in grades five and six to teach them about conflict resolution, communication, cooperation, and empathy. Adey explained how course knowledge from the PACS program, specifically courses like PACS 202: Conflict Resolution, aided in her success teaching children everyday skills and complex, abstract ideas.
In the future, Adey hopes to complete a master’s in sustainable international development and work within the United Nations.
As Adey looks forward to graduating this year, she cites the PACS community, professors, and friendships made along the way as integral parts of her time at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo.
Learn more about Adey's experience bridging the classroom with her volunteer experiences!
Chiara McLean
Chiara McLean
Chiara McLean, a 4th year Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) student based at the University of Waterloo, is passionate about global affairs. As Chiara began studying at Waterloo, she knew her educational path involved a Political Science major and Communication Studies minor. In her first year, Chiara heard a friend mention they were enrolled in PACS 101: Peace is Everybody's Business and that it was an interesting course. Curious to know more about PACS, she enrolled in PACS 201: Roots of Conflict, Violence and Peace and PACS 203: A History of Peace Movements in her second year of undergraduate studies. In her third year, she decided the program would complement her academic plans, and declared a joint Political Science and PACS major. With an interest in international relations and affairs, Chiara sought opportunities through co-op and volunteering that were challenging yet rewarding.
Now in her final year of studies at Waterloo, Chiara hopes to pursue a master's degree in global affairs and believes her experience as a double major in Political Science and Peace and Conflict Studies are applicable to her goals of being a diplomat. Through both programs, she developed skills and insights necessary to thrive in her career and beyond and looks forward to applying her knowledge to future endeavours.
Learn more about Chiara's co-op experiences as a joint major!
Abigail Persaud
Abigail Persaud
Abigail Persaud is an example of how seizing new opportunities can lead to the most profound experiences of self-discovery and impact. As she completes her final term of her undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo, the experiences she has gained through her time at the university have provided a strong foundation for her to be a part of the meaningful change that Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) alumni are making around the world.
Abigail Persaud, a 4th-year Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) student, explored global opportunities through the Beyond Borders program at St. Jerome’s and completed a co-op term working abroad in Uganda. The Beyond Borders program provides students with an international service-learning experience where they can explore new cultures and discover alternative perspectives and ways of life around the world. She worked with Reach One Touch One Ministries (ROTOM) in Mukono, Uganda, a non-profit organization that supports international fellowship to provide care to older adults and the grandchildren that depend on them in both Uganda and Ethiopia. As an Intergenerational Support Worker, she provided direct hands-on support in Uganda.
Learn more about Abigail's story and her experiences in Uganda!
B.B. Adewusi
B.B. Adewusi
B.B. Adewusi initially accepted her offer in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo, however, her journey would lead her through three different faculties, ultimately deciding to pursue an arts degree with a major in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS). Her decision was driven by the practical benefits of the PACS program and its significance in making a positive impact on students and the world. Finding a program that was meaningful and intellectually stimulating was important to her. She felt that the other faculties could not provide the unique opportunities and perspectives that PACS offered.
The PACS program was more practical and humanitarian focused and allowed B.B. to see the real impacts on her life, equipping her with realistic knowledge and experience, to prepare her for creating a positive difference in the world. B.B. explains that “if we don’t actively strive to improve the lives of people every day who are going to conflict or war-torn areas, or the relationship you have with your family and friends, no one’s lives are going to get better.” She understands the tangible impact of peacebuilding and the importance of striving to transform areas impacted by conflict to create meaningful change. Learn more about B.B.'s academic journey.
Elaina Mohr
Like many students before her, Elaina Mohr didn’t really know what she wanted to do after high school. What she did know was that she saw a broken world, and wanted to learn more about initiatives that tried to make it better.
So, Elaina enrolled in the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) program. At first, Elaina wasn’t sure how she felt about the program, but she was soon engaged by her classes and her professors, who served as excellent mentors.
She has found that:
| “PACS engages whatever your passions are.” |
Elaina’s favourite areas of study are conflict resolution, justice, and peace, and she has had the opportunity to explore those ideas in her classes. These include: PACS 331: Trauma and Healing which examines how the conflict resolution process can be impacted by trauma, and PACS 329: Restorative Justice, which investigates the history, theory, principles, practices, and how people engage with restorative justice. These classes were especially important classes for her, as they challenged her worldview and encouraged her to think about the ways that peace can be a transformative process.
Another class that has made Elaina’s PACS journey an impactful one was PACS 313: Community Conflict Resolution, which explores the significance of two themes, identity and community, in the development and transformation of conflict. In that course, which featured a class-discussion style, Elaina learned that:
| “There’s so much to learn from the people sitting around you. Learning comes from everywhere you are.” |
Outside of her academic efforts, Elaina was able to participate in Conrad Grebel University College’s residence Peace Society in her first and second years. She has appreciated the opportunity to informally discuss important issues and try to make a difference in the community. She was able to participate in efforts like the annual Make a Difference (MAD) Market, where local vendors come to Grebel and sell items, donating proceeds to various causes.
In her fourth and final year, Elaina served as Grebel’s PACS Live-Learn leader, a position where she met with PACS students in residence and helped them to build a community. She was excited to be able to pass on her knowledge and experience, learn about alumni, and encourage younger students to build relationships with their professors.
As well, in her final year, Elaina took part in PACS 401: Senior Research Seminar, where she completed a research paper in a chosen area of study. During this time, she took full advantage of the help offered to her by Professor Reina Neufeld, who encouraged her to submit her paper to several student conferences.
Elaina’s paper, “Living in Space of Reconciliation: An Analysis of the Role of Communal Living Space in Reconciliation Processes in Post-Conflict Northern Ireland”, was chosen for two presentations at student conferences. She will have the opportunity to present them for a wide audience, which will be an asset to her career development, should she choose to pursue academia further.
After her graduation, Elaina has plans to work for the Romero House for a year, where she can experience living communally and supporting people with her PACS knowledge.
For students looking to follow in her footsteps, Elaina suggest that you:
| “Be curious! The most I’ve never gotten out of my undergrad [experience] was when I was curious. Take classes, talk to professors and fellow students, and don’t be afraid to do things that you may not be qualified for.” |
Eve Astolfi
When Eve Astolfi initially came to the University of Waterloo, it was to study economics. She had felt like a business degree was one of the only ways to find successful employment post graduation. However, Eve soon discovered that her current academic plan was not well aligned with career goals. After that, Eve switched her area of study several times, in hopes of finding the one that best fit her passion for social justice. She then discovered the PACS program.
Since she was a late transfer, Eve started the first year of Honours PACS in her second year of studies. She has since taken courses in Spring terms so that she could still graduate with her class. She loved the program. Unlike her previous degree plan, Eve did not enrol in the co-op program for PACS. But, she discovered that, in her situation, co-op was not a necessity for her to succeed, and that it was more about doing what she loved long-term.
For Eve, part of falling in love with her education was letting go of her idea that she had to be enrolled in a business degree to be “successful”:
| “Arts programs sometimes get a bad name for not being ‘elite’, but you should focus on what you’re passionate about. That’s how you’ll do well; when you’re not interested in a topic, you don’t apply yourself the same way.” |
Over the course of her degree, her favourite classes have been PACS 331: Trauma and Healing, which examines how the conflict resolution process can be impacted by trauma, and PACS 329: Restorative Justice, which investigates the history, theory, principles, practices, and people of restorative justice. She mentioned that both of these classes changed her worldview in significant ways as indicated below.
| “You don’t realize all of the areas for learning and unlearning in the world, until you are presented with a different lens. That’s what these courses have taught me. Along with that worldview change, you learn to see how people are impacted by their stereotypes and biases and grow to have great empathy for others.” |
While taking classes, Eve had the opportunity to work with the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee at St. Jerome's University College. While there, she worked with the team to create a survey and conduct research for improving diversity and inclusion at the university. Since completing that role, Eve has worked with the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council, which is in partnership with Lutherwood Employment and Housing Services. Eve was able to take on this position by enrolling in PACS 390: Undergrad Internship course, which allows undergrad students to seek internship placement opportunities with local community transformation organizations implementing work related to PACS.
Additionally, Eve is working to complete her Global Exchange Certificate, which, COVID-19 closures permitting, may take her to Northern Ireland for an exchange, as the area has been significantly impacted by conflict over the past several decades. There, she will be able to relate her PACS learning to the real life experiences of those who have lived in conflict zones.
In the future, Eve hopes to work in the fields of conflict coaching, restorative justice, or the humanities in some similar capacity.
Boushrah Fanous
Boushrah Fanous is currently a PACS student. When she was in high school, Boushrah had intended to enroll in a program like international development or political science. However, no program that she saw really seemed to fit what she was looking for. It was only when a high school teacher suggested that she look into the Peace and Conflict Studies program at the University of Waterloo that she felt like she had found something that fit. The program’s interdisciplinary nature and ability to cover a range of topics appealed from the get-go, and she’s been invested ever since.
Throughout her time in the program, Boushrah found it valuable to learn about systemic violence, racism, and the philosophy behind it all. Different PACS courses have allowed her to learn about a variety of concepts that other programs would not have covered the same way.
| “PACS 201 was my favourite class of first year, because it gave me a good idea of the big picture of peace work. Other classes were great, but the blend of history intrigued me because there was so much to learn from it.” |
PACS classes such as PACS 331: Trauma, Healing & Conflict Resolution have also taught her to adopt a trauma-informed lens, and have helped her in her interpersonal relationships beyond the classroom. They have changed the way that she looks at and approaches the world ahead of her. Boushrah now looks at systemic problems behind everything she sees, instead of only glancing at problems on a surface level.
Since enrolling in her degree, Boushrah has been involved in a number of things on campus connected to the program. One year, she had the opportunity to be the Peace Representative for the Conrad Grebel residence body (PACS rep). Over the year in her position, she was able to teach people about the conflict between Palestine and Israel, which is a topic that she’d previously had conflicting feelings about. Through experiences like being the PACS rep, Boushrah has learned how to appreciate different perspectives:
| “I’ve learned to see everything from multiple angles, and that everything is connected. There’s something deeper in every story.” |
Currently, Boushrah is the Peace and Conflict Studies undergraduate representative for the department— a position that involves speaking for the students with the faculty. She is a voice for the students, and provides insights into the needs of the undergraduate population.
In the future, she’d like to focus on policy making and international law, but she doesn’t entirely know where this path will take her. Whatever she ends up doing, though, she hopes that she will be able to make a difference along the way with the help of her PACS degree.
For future students, Boushrah recommends that you:
| “Don’t hold too tightly to your plans. Be willing to learn different things and be flexible— you never know what might surprise you!” |