October 22. – Tuesday
We travelled over 6 long hours together from Frankfurt Oder and Slubice to Krakow. Once we arrived, we took a walk to our accommodation where we had a short instruction moment. After taking over our rooms, we went out for dinner. As it was in the old town we had the opportunity to wonder around as well as try out traditional Polish national meals. Following the fulfilling dinner, we continued our exploration in the old town and then we went back to the accommodation.
October 23. Wednesday
After breakfast we went to Wawel castle where we had a “castle challenge” with action bond in mixed teams, it was a great application for a really nice team building and history introducing activity. After that we had some free time to enjoy the best areas of Krakow. Some of us went to drink coffee and try out cookies, other visited outside around the sights and also there were people, who went to the Harry Potter thematic café. Following these magical moments, we went to the local university’s canteen to have Polish national meals for lunch. It was tasty again. The afternoon was continued at the campus of the university with several topics about our main thematic: We are not just numbers! We are human! We discussed and shared our knowledge of second World War and Auschwitz Birkenau. We listened personal perspectives and stories around the topic and through case studies we did our research as well. For dinner we had pizza and then we went back to the accommodation.
October 24. Thursday
We woke up early and had our breakfast and took our lunch boxes but why? Because today was a long and important day. We visited Auschwitz and Birkenau. With the help of a tour guide the whole group could engage more with the stories and tragedies of the place. Everyone silently but got connected to the topic by listening the details of the concentration camp especially the conditions and seeing the actual place of horror were the most shocking for all of us. Later we visited an educational center nearby where we had a workshop about the life of the local people and their active contribution to help the prisoners of the camps. We went through stories and shared with each other. Following the activity we went back to Krakow. After the arrival we went to have dinner at McDonald’s. Then some of us went out but the most of us turned back to the accommodation.
October 25. Friday
After breakfast we went to Wieliczka Salt Mine. We took a guided tour in English, German and Polish languages. Following the cultural sight visit, we went to have lunch to a Polish diner. After we returned to the university campus to have reflection session about Auschwitz Birkenau and the project itself. Deep and full conversations were followed by the preparation of the dissemination outcomes. We were working in smaller teams, some of us did participants testimonials the others reached out their grandparents to ask from firsthand how they lived through those challenging times. For dinner half of the group went to McDonald’s the others went to the city center to have crêpes.
October 26. Saturday
We had breakfast and packed our stuff for our long trip back to our homes. After the tiring 6 hours long train trip we arrived safe and sound with an engaging experience in our minds and hearts. We are extremely thankful for the opportunity and the setup of the project as we could experience a lot from Polish culture and Krakow as well as learn about an important part of history that should be never forgotten.
