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Original poster

Aushwitz...Year 11...help to prepare?

52 replies

GypsyMoth · 23/09/2009 16:33

hi all

dd age 15 is going to Berlin with the school in a few weeks. as part of the trip a visit to Poland is planned,and a day will be spent visiting Auschwitz.

we have been told to prepare our dc for a visit.

wondering which is the best way? anyone been or know anyone who has?

she visited flanders and the somme back in june with the school,and was very moved. she has a massive interest in this area of history so she knows what its all about,but its going to be a hard day for her.

any ideas how to prepare? feel tearful just thinking about this.

OP posts:
MrsMerryHenry · 23/09/2009 16:36

I don't think you can prepare. It's actually a pretty calm place - when you walk around it's fairly sedate but you just recognise all the buildings and landmarks. The exhibitions inside are not so much shocking, as full of dread. I was incredibly sad going there (age 21) but not uncontrollably so. As long as they know something of the history beforehand, and have seen some images, they will be upset, challenged, maybe shocked, but ultimately, fine.

Polish and German students all visit it as part of their curriculum, if it's any comfort.

differentID · 23/09/2009 16:35

get her some rescue remedy.
One of my colleagues visited when she was in school and she said that you could hear birdsong as you were outside the gates, when she went in, she could no longer hear it.