Eastern Student Talia Erris of Cheshire Studies "Nazi Aftermath" in Poland and Hungary

2014 Dec 9

From May 15-30, Eastern Connecticut State University students spent two weeks in Poland and Hungary taking a global field course called "The Nazi Aftermath in Central Europe: History, the Media and the Holocaust."

Among the participants was Talia Erris '15 of Cheshire. Erris majors in Pre-Social Work.

The immersive course sought to broaden students' awareness of the historical impact of the Holocaust; develop understanding of the role of the press in different types of societies and develop an understanding of how media influences culture. Class assignments included maintaining a journal of activities, carrying out tour duties in different teams, reading required texts and writing a trip report upon returning home.

In Poland, trip participants toured scenes of the Warsaw Ghetto and Old Town, both of which were completely destroyed in inner-city fighting during World War II. They also visited the historic Polish Royal Capital of Krakow, which successfully avoided serious wartime damage. Krakow also served as a base for excursions to the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, as well as Jagiellonian University. The students met with noted European academics, student peers, U.S. Embassy officials and experts on the Holocaust and Judaic Studies.

"Although I came on this trip to learn about the Holocaust, history, media and the Nazi aftermath, I learned much more," remarked one student who wished to remain anonymous. "I was finally able to experience cultures other than my own, and I was able to put my information and knowledge bank collected over the years (the most recent from Eastern) to good use on the trip."