MANY of the opinions of the young people from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England have changed or been broadened since they took part in the scholarship.

Talking to them also made me realise my own ignorance about the situations in their countries which, though they are so close, seem a world away.

Sarah Lea, aged 17, from Dublin, said: "I went to an Irish-speaking primary school and with that came a lot of nationalism and republicanism and they projected an image of being anti-English.

"We used to sing songs I thought were great at the time but the words were: 'English people came and took our language and stole our culture.'

"This was put into me. I didn't know English people personally but I thought we had been done this terrible wrong and we deserved to be apologised to and compensated. I even thought Unionists shouldn't be in our country.

"But when I went to senior school I changed my opinions a lot. People where I live wouldn't condone the activities of the IRA but they think the cause is worthy.

"They have even bombed the Republic of Ireland. I remember one Christmas they were sending black wreaths to shops in Dublin and it was horrifying so that Christmas we didn't go shopping in town. When the cease-fire happened it was an amazing day.

"I think we feel for people in Northern Ireland who are seen to be powerless because our government isn't able to change anything.

"The scholarship has made me look at my opinions. I think it is opening our eyes. I would love to go into politics having all this knowledge and then I could really challenge people's views and have information to back it up.

"In the scholarship the people I am hanging around with are English and Northern Irish and I really like them. As Colin Parry was saying, we can change the situation. In years to come it will be one of us who is going to go into law or politics and have a huge influence."

Nicola Wright, aged 18, from the Belfast group, said: "I'm not really in the centre of the Troubles but everyone is affected by it. I have a friend whose dad has been killed in a bombing.

"I am a Protestant and my area is very Protestant. We have mocking names for Catholics and you are expected to be seen on the Orange Men marches. You are allowed to be friends with Catholics, although sometimes you may be looked down on.

"To Irish people religion is a big thing but some English people on the scholarship say they don't know whether they are Protestant or Catholic and I couldn't believe that because it is such an important thing for us. That was surprising and I do think the scholarship broadens our opinions of things to see that there is something outside Northern Ireland.

"The English people and even the people from the Republic didn't have an idea and were very detached from the Northern Irish situation. A lot of people didn't feel they had any connection with what was going on.

"I think the scholarship is brilliant and I really love this building! It has broadened so many people's horizons.

"In the future I would like to see some kids who are more entrenched in the Troubles coming on the scholarship."

Eighteen-year-old Rachel Chapman, of Great Sankey, Warrington, said: "At the beginning of the scholarship we were just getting to know people and immediately found out it was such a wonderful group, which was comforting.

"The scholarship has had a big effect on me. My knowledge has definitely broadened and now I can inform other people who don't know much about them. It is all a big learning experience.

"I think the scholarship is a really good idea and there should be more of them. The peace centre is brilliant and I am so pleased that the Parrys have managed to fulfil their dream. It's an amazing place. There is nowhere else like it."