Germany, Czech Republic, and poland
2025–26 ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

Program Dates: March 7 – 19, 2026

• Trip Leaders: John Leister & Mary Ellen Friends
• Updated 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.

• Program Notes:
  • All boarding students can stay in their rooms on the night of Friday, March 6, 2026.
  • On March 7, 2026, Students and Program leaders will meet at the Deerfield Campus to travel by coach bus to the Boston MFA and then to Logan International Airport in Boston, MA. They will fly together to Germany, arriving on March 8 2026. Students and Program Leaders will be based out of Berlin, with excursions to Dresden, Prague, and Krakow. On March 19, 2026, Students will fly out of Krakow and return to Logan International Airport in Boston, MA
  • Cell Phone Policy: As part of Deerfield’s commitment to face-to-face interactions, during certain times of the trip, students will be “unplugged” without access to cell phone
  • Other Important Information about the program:  During this trip, students will stay in hotels, inns, and lodges and share meals at accommodations and restaurants. Since this trip takes place in multiple urban areas, considerable walking will occur.