Germany, Czech Republic, and poland

Understanding the Holocaust Past and Present

A group of curious students will travel to Nuremberg, Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Krakow, and Auschwitz to explore the idea of monuments and memorials and their role in public memory. They will explore the many facets of the Holocaust and how Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Poland each responded in the late 20th century and early 21st century to the study of Holocaust memory, public art, and their fusion in contemporary life. Students will be introduced to the concepts in Holocaust Studies which explore how World War II-era perpetrators, victims, and collaborators operated, who bystanders and upstanders were, and analyze the current 21st-century spike in antisemitism and attacks on citizens.

In each city the group will explore the legacy of World War II and the Holocaust. How did Czechs respond to Nazism? How did Poles respond to Nazism? What was the internment experience like? Was there resistance from Jewish groups? What are any “lessons” learned from the Holocaust? What questions are answered from our tours and explorations?

Students will return from this program with a deeper joy in learning, reflection, and transference of what we have experienced and seen to other issues and problems the world faces about how groups treat each other, how we remember and visualize the past, and what that texture of memory looks like.

Program Notes

This program ends on March 19th, three days before the end of March Break. Families are responsible for transportation from the arrival U.S.-based airport at the end of the program to the student’s destination for the remainder of the March break. The DA campus and dorms will reopen on Sunday, March 22nd, 2026.
During this program, students will stay in hotels, inns, and lodges and share meals at accommodations and restaurants.
Since this program takes place in multiple urban areas, considerable walking will occur.
As part of Deerfield’s commitment to face-to-face interactions, students will be “unplugged” during certain times of the program and will not have access to cell phones.
Students and faculty leaders will update families and friends at home through our Notes From The Field blog.

Program Dates

March 7 – 19, 2026

Program Eligibility

This program is open to all students. Financial Aid is available to all qualifying students.

Students will need to have or obtain a Passport or Passport card for this program. Depending on the student’s nationality they might need to obtain a Schengen visa.

Please note that this program overlaps with the following:

SATs on March 14, 2026
The following athletics programs:
- NEPSAC championships (girls and boys swimming, girls and boys hockey) (March 7-8)
- Baseball (March 15-22)
- Boys & Girls Rowing (March 15 – 22)
- Girls waterpolo (March 15 – 22)
- Boys & Girls Lacrosse (March 16 – 22)
- Golf (March 16 – 22)
- Softball (March 17 – 22)

Program Snapshot

Accommodations: Hotels

Meals: Group meals at Hotels & Restaurants

Activities: This program will include extensive walking outside and site visits.

Faculty program Leaders

John Leistler

Estimated Cost: $7,000

All meals, transportation, accommodations, and activities during the program dates are included in the program fee.

2026 Preliminary Itinerary

*This itinerary is subject to change

This 13-day journey through Central Europe begins in Germany with a stay in Nuremberg, where students explore the city’s medieval charm alongside its role in modern history. Nuremberg, in picturesque Bavaria, is the birthplace of Nazism. Guided walks, visits to the Palace of Justice, and a workshop on National Socialism set the stage for critical reflection on the legacy of World War II. In Berlin, the program combines cultural and historical experiences, from iconic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie to visits to the Wannsee Museum, the Topography of Terror, and the Jewish Museum. Students will walk through a neighborhood in Berlin assessing the legacy of the Holocaust in the city. We will analyze the design of the museum and the designer’s intentions to communicate the enormity of the Jewish experience. We will experience a cooking class to better understand German heritage.

The second half of the program deepens students’ exploration of European history and culture across Dresden, Prague, and Krakow. Highlights include the Frauenkirche and Zwinger Museum in Dresden, a river cruise on the Vltava in Prague, and visits to the John Lennon Wall and Prague Castle. In Krakow, students experience both the city’s rich cultural traditions through guided tours, a pierogi-making class, and a folklore show, and its somber history at Auschwitz, Schindler’s Factory, and the KL Plaszow Memorial.

Health & Safety

We take student health and safety seriously. Please review the resources and information below as you consider applying for the program.

Travel Health & Risk Advisory
We encourage families to review the latest travel guidance for Germany, Czech Republic and Poland:

Travel Medicine Advisory Letter
A letter from Dr. Bryant Benson provides important guidance on health preparations for travel. View Letter

Vaccination Guidance
No vaccinations are required for entry to Germany. However, we strongly recommend reviewing the CDC’s list of recommended vaccines and consulting your healthcare provider.

Visa Information

Students and parents are directly responsible for the student’s immigration status and/or visa application process to comply with local laws for participation in this program. Depending on your nationality, a tourist visa may be required to travel to the Schengen Area. Deerfield Academy and the CSGC office are here to assist and can provide specific supplemental documentation as required for the application.