Written by Jessy Jovel
Participant New Europe Program 2011
The New Europe Program kicked off their first excursion in the history-rich city of Berlin and Prague! The AIB sent the NEP to Berlin for the first four days, and the students continued their journey in Prague for the next three. The excursion was loaded with great activities that allowed for a lot of learning and life changing experiences.
The NEP was met by Robin at the beautiful Berlin Hauptbanhof where they received a guided bus and walking tour through the city of Berlin. Though a rainy day, the group saw a lot of historical sites such as: The Reichstag, Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, and the Cathedral of Berlin. A lot was covered in the first 4 hours of our arrival, which sparked a lot of interest in the students and would set the tone for the rest of the jammed packed excursion. The first day was ended with a delicious meal at an Italian restaurant, which is known to have the best pizza in Berlin. The following day would prove to be a lot more meaningful.
Bright and early the NEP students found themselves hiking towards the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Site. The group was able to walk through the doors that many victims of the Nazis were forced to walk through. Our tour guide Sion provided information on the cruelty of the treatment that the prisoners received while there. He explained how the concentration camp was strategically made into a triangle in order to have a clear shot at the prisoners with the machine guns placed at the entrance of the concentration camp. The tour guide also went through the different experiments the doctors performed on the prisoners such as, injecting them with drugs and making them walk non-stop in order to examine how shoes would last. These shoes that were being tested were the ones that would eventually be made for the Nazi troops. In addition to learning of the atrocities, the NEP students were able to go inside the barracks where the Jewish prisoners were detained. Needless to say, this visit was life changing to all.
The visit to the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp was followed by a visit to the Reichstag. After going through extensive security the NEP got the great opportunity of visiting the beautiful rooftop dome of the building and got to sit inside the German Parliament. Though the students spent the whole day learning of Germany, they ended the night celebrating a uniquely American event, the Superbowl! The NEP bombarded Belushi's Bar to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Green Bay Packers. Many were pleased with the Packers victory, especially visiting professor, David Mathison.
The next day also started early. The NEP visited another site that was infamously known for its torturous and violent tendencies, the Hohenschönhausen Memorial Site, the site of the main remand prison for people detained by the former East Germany Ministry of State Security, or 'Stasi'. At this site the NEP got a guided tour of the whole prison. The were able to go into prison cells, interrogation rooms and the dark isolation rooms. They also received further information on the type of control East Germany had on its inhabitants.
This bone chilling experience was followed by a visit to the Pergamon Museum and the Jewish Museum. At the Pergamon Museum students were able to witness collections of classical antiquities. The Pergamon Altar, the Market Gate and the magnificent Ishtar Gate were amongst the displays. Before the NEP headed to the architecturally unique, Jewish Museum, they enjoyed some of Berlin's famous currywurst. After a filling lunch, the NEP had the chance to go inside the Jewish Museum where they went inside very interesting sections. One of the most riveting parts of the museum was a large, dark, cold room that had a very small crack in the ceiling, just enough for a little light to shed. This was a section specifically dedicated for the Holocaust.
The last day in Berlin was by far the student's favorite day. The day was called "My Berlin.". Students were divided into four groups: GDR, Cold War, Urban Art, and Multicultural Berlin. The groups were able to explore Berlin all day in their respective groups. From the Checkpoint Charlie museum to the East Side Gallery of the Berlin Wall, the groups were able to explore Berlin in a more intimate way as they were able to speak with locals from the area that were experts of the groups topic.
After an amazing experience in Berlin, the NEP headed to Prague. AIB friend Ladi greeted us at the Prague train station. The first night in Prague turned into an amazing cultural experience as we visited the Prague Opera house to see "La Traviata".
The following night the group took a walking tour with Ladi around Prague. The group was able to visit Old Town main square where they saw the Astronomical Clock and the Old Town Hall Tower, as well as other historical churches and a historic Jewish synagogue. The tour reached its peak when the group was able to cross the Vitava River by taking the Charles Bridge, which provided a beautiful view of the Prague Castle. The group got to the top of the castle and got to see the best view of the beautiful city of Prague.
The excursion was brought to a closing at a very nice Czechoslovakian restaurant where many were able to enjoy a delicious traditional plate of duck. The first excursion of the AIB was extremely successful. From visiting the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp to enjoying the beautiful Italian opera "La Traviata" in Prague, the AIB gave the NEP an amazing European experience!
