History of the Holocaust Faculty led program in Poland

The Department of Arts and Sciences from the Homestead Campus of Miami Dade College will facilitate a voluntary, co- curricular, out of district study abroad program to Poland from May 3 to May 10, 2009 for the History of the Holocaust (EUH2032) and for Holocaust and Genocide awareness.

In the spirit of Learning Outcomes #5 (Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives), #6 (Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities), and #7(Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society), the Arts and Sciences Department believes this co-curricular study abroad program to be an excellent activity for enriching both the learning and meaning of one of the 20^th century’s greatest crimes. With a historical and factual backdrop from EUH2032, this opportunity to experience Poland and the death camps of Auschwitz, Sobibor, and Majdanek facilitates a greater understanding of the enormity of the Holocaust. Key to this understanding will be reflective journals that students complete. As students work their journals, group leaders will encourage discussions during meals, travel, and one-on-one moments. Ten days after coming home, MDC-Homestead will host a luncheon for participants to reflect, evaluate, and to bring closure to what will be a powerful experience.

Along with the experience of visiting the camps, participants explore Polish and Jewish history via stops in Warsaw, Lodz, Lublin, and Krakow. The Jewish Historical Institute of Warsaw, our Polish partner, has organized: 2 lectures, 1 workshop, 8 museums visits, and 9 walking tours of varying lengths. The Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach has organized an academic exchange luncheon in Lodz with participation of the mayor, educators, and the members of the Catholic and Jewish community. These activities enable our participants to understand that Jewish and Polish history does not start and end with the Holocaust. This 1000 year old history is rich and needs to be understood.

Additionally, MDC has the privilege of having Mr. David Mermelstein, president of the Miami Holocaust Survivors of Dade County and an Auschwitz survivor, accompanying the group during our 8 days in Poland. Mr. Mermelstein is a frequent guest lecturer with Miami Dade County Public Schools, has lectured to our classes in Homestead, and has personally led 5 educational trips to Poland.

The cost for the study abroad program will be $2150/person. This cost includes airfare, hotels, meals, transportation, lecturers, medical/repatriation insurance, admissions fees, and an offset for the chaperone.

For more information about the program, please contact:

Ø Call the Office of International Education at (305) 237-3008 or email:

Ø Eva Fernandez at efernan1@mdc.edu