August | Lara Postl, 10th grade
Shortly before summer break, we – the 10th-grade classes – set off for Berlin together with Ms. Schilling and Mr. Ziegler. After a relaxed afternoon journey in perfect weather we arrived at the Pfefferbett Hostel. Once we had settled into our rooms, we spent the first evening getting to know the area and getting into the mood for the days ahead.
On the first day of our program we visited the House of the Wannsee Conference. There we took part in a workshop where we examined historical documents from the Nazi era in small groups. Afterwards we presented our findings to one another. It was fascinating to engage directly with original sources and, in doing so, gain a different perspective on history.
The next we visited the organization “Family Businesses and Politics.” There we learned about the role family-run businesses play in Germany and how the organization represents their interests in political decision-making processes. A real highlight was the wrap-up on the building’s rooftop terrace. From there we had a breathtaking view over the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin’s government district – a perfect spot for souvenir photos.
On the second day the first item on the agenda was a guided tour through the famous Hotel Adlon. It was interesting to see how much history is hidden within a single building. The visit to the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, the former Stasi prison, was particularly moving. During the tour we gained insight into the daily lives of the prisoners and the methods used by the Stasi, the state security. This part of the program gave many of us a lot of thoughts and highlighted just how important freedom and democracy are.
Another highlight of the trip was our visit to the German Bundestag. After a guided tour of the Reichstag building, we had the opportunity to discuss current issues with a representative of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. The discussion focused not only on current political issues but also on different points of view. It was particularly fascinating that some of our international classmates shared their experiences from their home countries. This led to an open and interesting discussion in which many different perspectives came together.
In the afternoon we visited the Holocaust Memorial. During the guided tour and the following workshop we engaged deeply with the culture of remembrance. Also here it became clear how important it is to confront the past and take responsibility for the future.
On our last day we visited the former Tempelhof Airport and learned more about its eventful history. Afterwards we explored other well-known Berlin landmarks on a guided city tour. Our class trip concluded with a bike tour with “Berlin on Bike” along the former Berlin Wall. This allowed us to experience many historic sites up close and learn about the city’s history in a very special way.
Looking back, those four days in Berlin were much more than just a class trip for us. Not only did we learn a lot about history and politics, but we also shared many experiences that strengthened our class community. Between the scheduled activities there was always time for conversations, shared laughter, and, of course, a few souvenir photos. We will surely cherish the memories of this trip for a long time to come.
