5 - 16 July 2024 - History Trip in Germany and Poland

Guten Tag Europe!

From July 5 to 16 this past summer, S2 to S5 students had an incredible opportunity to join a history overseas study tour to Germany and Poland. This trip provided valuable insights into the rich histories of both countries through hands-on experiences at various historical sites.

In Germany, a highlight was the Cecilienhof Palace, where the Potsdam Conference took place in 1945. Walking through the beautifully preserved conference room, we felt the weight of history as Churchill, Stalin, and Truman negotiated post-war terms.

We also explored the rise of German totalitarianism and the devastation of Nazism, with a poignant visit to Auschwitz. The guided tour revealed personal artifacts and remnants of the gas chambers, serving as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed and the importance of confronting our past.

The Cold War was another key theme, illustrated by our visits to the Berlin Wall Memorial, the Berlin TV Tower, and Checkpoint Charlie. These sites helped us understand how ideological conflicts physically and psychologically divided people.

In Poland, we visited Gdansk, Krakow, and Warsaw, gaining deeper insights into Polish history. At the Warsaw Rising Museum, we learned about the courageous Polish resistance against Nazi occupation, fostering gratitude for the peace we enjoy today.

Experiencing these historical sites brought history to life in a way that textbooks cannot. The study tour enriched our appreciation of the events and sites we studied in class. A heartfelt thanks to Mr. Ma, Mr. Chiu, and our local tour guides for making this enlightening experience possible!

S5G (2) Chan Wing Yeung, Kyle