The History, Music and Visual Arts Departments organized a 10-day study tour to Poland and Germany from 2 July to 11 July 2024. The group of 44 teachers and students visited picturesque cities and towns in Poland.
In Warsaw, the old town, restructured after WWII, and the notable Palace of Culture and Science impressed students with the city's resilience and history. The story of Chopin's heart being interred at Holy Cross Church and visiting his birthplace, Dom Urodzenia Fryderyka Chopina, enriched students' music knowledge. Performances of Chopin's works at the Recital Chopinowski gave students first-hand experiences with musical elements.
In Kraków, students learned about the country's religious history and the city's medieval might and superlative architecture at the Wawel Hill complex. The visit to Auschwitz Concentration Camp expanded their WWII knowledge. They also explored the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage site with art and statues sculpted in salt.
Beyond sightseeing, students sampled local cuisine and experienced the hustle and bustle of this phoenix rising from the ashes in local markets. Overall, they enjoyed Poland's rich history, music and art, and experienced personal growth and developed virtues like responsibility, empathy and perseverance while living abroad.