The political situation in Jerusalem at that time was tense. There were clashes, terrorist attacks and police actions in Palestinian neighborhoods. However, at no point did I feel that my personal security was limited. Just the usage of public transportation might have been problematic, although I personally never experienced any problems. As the project coordinator bore the responsibility for the project, he decided to cancel further interviews that required leaving the university campus. The overall situation impeded the research, which decreased my motivation. At the same time, it showed me the necessity of the research. Through my roommates and friends who suffered from the situation, the scientific research became a tangible experience: How and in which type of state can people from different religious and cultural backgrounds live together?
During my stay in Jerusalem I faced different realities. For the first time I felt that not belonging to the local society can facilitate life. Nobody expected me to take sides. In Jerusalem I met people who differentiated and did not take sides either, although they experienced the everyday dimension of the conflicts. Through the ASA-Program I had the possibility to create new narratives for myself, but also for others by contributing to the research project and writing monthly reports on my project and my life in Jerusalem, which I sent to my family and friends. I talked and read a lot about politics and different realities of life with my roommates, friends, my tandem partner and the project coordinator. Moreover, I could connect my personal experience with some of the contents of the ASA preparatory seminars, for example how to recognize privileges and power structures.
Apart from the political situation, living in Jerusalem never created any problems for me. I felt comfortable and easily found friends. I always could imagine myself to live in Jerusalem for a longer period of time.