Author Archives: calp50

Our final day began at 2:30am. For some it may have just been a continuation of the day before, but all were accounted for and the bus was loaded and off we went to the airport. Our departure from Berlin Airport was not nearly as smooth as our arrival had been just 13 days ago,Continue reading “Day 13 – Final Day, Class 50 Heads Home”

“The end of a melody is not its goal: but nonetheless, had the melody not reached its end it would not have reached its goal either.” -Friedrich Nietzsche Our journey has reached its final day abroad. We began with a final synthesis providing time for each fellow to reflect on where they are at inContinue reading “Day 12-Back to Berlin”

We awoke to a rainy morning, and the imminence of the end of the trip became real as the class walked to take COVID-19 tests prior to our return flights. In good German fashion, the tests were very thorough. After the tests and a brief period of free time, we were on our way toContinue reading “Day 11 – Leipzig – Arts and Culture”

As our trip winds down to the last days, we enjoyed our final hours in Prague before departing for Leipzig. Our tour guide led us through the museum of Communism where we learned about the history of the Soviet occupation in Czechoslovakia. Part of the display was dedicated to the Stalin monument in Prague. ItContinue reading “Day 10 – Communist Museum, Farm Tour, Leipzig”

We started our day discussing the Roma people and the long history of discrimination they face. For most of us, this culture was one we learned about during the trip. We discovered that the Romas are originally thought to come from central India although they are now spread out all throughout Europe and often shareContinue reading “Day 9 – Prague, Czech Republic Continued”

SYNTHESIS There is no grass growing under Class 50’s feet!  After an emotional and difficult day at Auschwitz, our class was up early to synthesize with deep reflection about what we had experienced.  To state that we had all witnessed a life changing event would be an absolute understatement. During our synthesis, our fellows introducedContinue reading “Day 8 – Prague, Czech Republic”

Our early morning wake-up call felt a little easier this morning with the benefits of the European time change, from summer time to winter time. Our clocks fell back an hour, providing a much-needed extra hour of rest on our long journey. Our morning began with much trepidation, nervousness, and anticipation, which resulted in manyContinue reading “Day 7 – Auschwitz – Birkenau”

Train Ride to Kraków Class 50 said goodbye to Warsaw this morning with a brisk walk to the Warsaw Central Rail Line station. On our walk, we got a great sunrise glimpse of the Palace of Culture and Science, dedicated to the People by Joseph Stalin. It is the 6th tallest building in Europe. ItContinue reading “Day 6-Krakow”

Warsaw Walking Tour After a long drive yesterday, we woke to a beautiful, chilly morning in Warsaw where we began our day with a walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto. Led by an expert guide and local historian Agnieszka Kus; the leadership lessons were abundant. Most impactful were the stories of Adam Czerniakow and WillyContinue reading “Day 4/Warsaw”

October 27 Wednesday was another busy day for Class 50. We deposited our luggage with the bus driver and ate a big breakfast before a two mile adventure to walk over to the Museum of Resistance. The walk took us through Tiergarten and we passed lots of people on their bikes perhaps making their morningContinue reading “Day 3 Berlin/Warsaw – The Museum of Resistance, Family Farm Tour in Poland, Dinner in Miloslaw and Arrival in Warsaw”

The day started with a critical thinking discussion of pre-World War II Germany and the rise to power of the National Socialist German Workers’ (Nazi) Party and Adolf Hitler. Specifically, the Class discussed Germany’s position in Europe after World War I and the treaty of Versailles, the advocation of extreme Nationalism, and the rise inContinue reading “Day 2 Berlin – The Wall, Topography of Terror, U.S. Embassy, and Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe”

After Class 50 and all of our luggage arrived in Berlin, we proceeded to load the bus and begin our guided tour of the city.  Much of the city was destroyed during World War II, but many historic buildings have been rebuilt as they originally were.  The city is filled with green spaces, and aContinue reading “~Day 1-Berlin, The Wannsee Conference, and German Culture~”