Poland Unveiled Expedition Highlight: History Comes To Life

From Paul-Michael Ogburn, Shelley Joslin, and Frida LeBreton, Poland Expedition Chaperones:

One of the highlights of the Poland Unveiled expedition was our unforgettable visits to monuments remembering the atrocities of the Holocaust and the resilience of the Polish people, which brought to life our World History curriculum on World War II. Our visits to each of these places were emotional, meaningful, and deeply important for our students. In Krakow, we stopped for reflection at the Krakow Jewish ghetto memorial and then continued on to see how even in the darkest times of humanity there are always heroes that put their lives at risk to help others at the original factory operated by Oscar Schindler. The factory is now a museum about life under Nazi rule and a testament to the thousand lives Schindler was able to save during the Holocaust. We also confronted the atrocities of the Holocaust at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Before arriving, the students received background context, were guided through the museum by an expert, and later reflected through journaling. 

In Warsaw, we visited the POLIN museum of Jewish history in Poland, which allowed students the opportunity to follow the thread of history and really understand the background of the places they have experienced and learned about. The museum is located in the Warsaw ghetto, with a monument honoring the fighters of the Warsaw ghetto uprising, the largest act of defiance and direct resistance to the Nazis by the Jewish people. We visited the site of a mass grave from the ghetto and placed rocks as a symbol that the memories and stories of those who lost their lives are not forgotten. 

As students processed these experiences, there was an overwhelming sense of perspective and a deep appreciation for the opportunity to visit such significant places. By facing one of the darkest chapters in history, we honored those who lost their lives, helped ensure their stories live on, and most importantly, reminded ourselves never to forget, so we can build a better tomorrow from the lessons of the past. Our Grauer students truly are a shining light in the world and have such respect for their fellow men and women.