Humza Ahmed

Fulbright Queen's University Belfast Summer Institute - Understanding Northern Ireland

Humza Ahmed is a first-year Architecture major at Virginia Tech, currently calling Allen, Texas home. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Humza’s life is stitched across cities, which fuels his curiosity about how place, identity, and design intersect. This summer, he’ll continue that exploration at Queen’s University Belfast, studying Identity and Intergroup Relations in Divided Societies.

Through the lens of Belfast’s intricate history, Humza plans to investigate how architecture and the built environment influence, and are influenced by, social division and reconciliation. He is particularly interested in how cities like Belfast embody their histories in physical form and how thoughtful design can support healing and unity.

Outside the classroom, Humza looks forward to immersing himself in the rhythms of Belfast’s cultural scene. From food and art to music and local traditions, he hopes to experience the city beyond the surface. He aims to return with a deeper understanding of Northern Ireland, enriched design perspectives, a solid foundation in international exchange, and a renewed commitment to creating inclusive spaces that bring people together.