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Original poster

DD Berlin/Auschwitz school trip

104 replies

january123 · 05/05/2023 18:46

Bit of a dilemma. DD (15) has been offered the opportunity as part of History GCSE to go to Berlin and then onto Auschwitz.

It's £900 + spending money for a full itinerary of 5 days which includes entry to all relevant museums/galleries/sights. It's not money we have laying around and DD isn't overly interested in going. However DH and I feel she would get a great deal personally out of the experience as well as supporting her learning.

I've never been to Auschwitz but imagine it must have a profound effect on visitors and think it would do the same for DD.

So to the point, should we encourage her to go or save our money?!

OP posts:
Original poster
january123 · 05/05/2023 19:34

MrsAvocet · 05/05/2023 19:31

My DD did a similar trip in year 12 - a few days in Krawkow including a visit to Auschwitz and then about 4 days in Berlin. I can't remember the cost but it was fairly expensive because of the flights. I think it's one of the best trips any of my children have been on though. DD definitely found the whole trip very moving and educational.
However, it was all directly relevant to her A level history course and she was extremely keen to go. If she hadn't wanted to, I don't think I would have pushed her, though I think the entire A level class did go so it would have been a bit awkward to have stayed behind . I think at GCSE though there will probably be a lot who don't go. Many won't be that interested in history and it is a lot of money for something that they won't particularly benefit from if they're not fully engaged. I wouldn't force the issue if your DD doesn't particularly want to go, especially if she is not planning to take history further.

Good points.

Not everyone is going and DD isn't intending on going further with History.

OP posts:
Timeforthenextholiday · 05/05/2023 20:00

My ds 14 is booked onto his school Berlin trip next year. He is also going to be doing GCSE history. His trip is slightly cheaper but he is going to another concentration camp. His trip includes his flights, insurance, accomodation, all meals and admission to the various museums so it isn't too bad. It is a packed itinerary so seems like a good deal. He just needs some spending money.

However, he did ask if he could go on the trip. Some of his friends are also going so it will be nice for them to share the experience.

There are other trips that he wanted to go on with school which we declined, but this one I think will be the one that will really help him with his studies and bring the books to life for him. He was a bit shocked when we said yes to this one after saying no to the other trips, but we think it's an important one for him to experience. The second world war was such a significant part of the world's history and it is a big chunk of his GCSE grade. He knows he needs to focus when he is there and get as much information and photos from it as he can to use in his work but he is a good lad and loves his history.

LSSG · 05/05/2023 20:07

If you can afford it, I'd personally definitely pay it but I'd let dd decide at that age.

AnnaMagnani · 05/05/2023 20:11

I she isn't that bothered and not going to carry on with History I wouldn't pay for it.

I've been to Auschwitz and it is full of bored kids on school trips, people taking selfies and chatting about shite. I had this sense that I ought to be finding it very moving but mainly I didn't.

There are many exceptionally moving places to learn about the Holocaust, it doesn't have to be this one.

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 05/05/2023 20:39

I sent my DD on a similar trip. She found it very moving.
Part of educating a child is putting them out of their comfort zone.

Original poster
january123 · 05/05/2023 21:47

Have asked DD, she says it's up to us! Confused

OP posts:
Florenz · 05/05/2023 21:57

School near me did a trip to Auschwitz as a day trip. They left at something like 4am and were back late the same night. 5 days is a lot. £900 is a lot.

MustardGreenAndPlum · 05/05/2023 22:03

Hello IP - are you a school mum? Because DS did this exact trip in February. He enjoyed it as much as he could (because of the harrowing content) and felt it was a very worthwhile experience. His main comment was the difference between the German and the Polish buses though 😆

The trip was under £700 for 5 nights in Best Western type hotels. How has the school itemised the cost? Which airline are they using? £900 seems a lot of money, plus you’ll have additional spending money costs.

Quoronation · 05/05/2023 22:06

If she's not fussed probably best she doesnt go.

Iminthemoneylife · 05/05/2023 22:10

AnnaMagnani · 05/05/2023 20:11

I she isn't that bothered and not going to carry on with History I wouldn't pay for it.

I've been to Auschwitz and it is full of bored kids on school trips, people taking selfies and chatting about shite. I had this sense that I ought to be finding it very moving but mainly I didn't.

There are many exceptionally moving places to learn about the Holocaust, it doesn't have to be this one.

Did you go to birkenau? I found the vast scale of Birkenau and the more temporary buildings to be considerably different the main camp of Auschwitz which was made of repurposed brick buildings.

msbevvy · 05/05/2023 22:12

My Granddaughter just went on a similar trip to Berlin and Auschwitz with her school. It was the only trip that she wanted to do from a choice of several.

She is taking History GCSE and found it really interesting and moving and seems to have benefited from the experience.
£900 does seem very pricey though, especially if she isn't that enthusiastic about going.

AnnaMagnani · 05/05/2023 22:13

@Iminthemoneylife I did go to Birkenau.

It was a very sunny spring day and there were people having a lovely time photographing the flowers while standing in a death camp that goes as far as the eye can see.

It was a very strange and difficult experience.

LlynTegid · 05/05/2023 22:14

It does seem expensive for five days.

Not sure what to advise OP, to be honest. I have yet to go, having found out only a few years ago that four of my ancestors were deported there and died.

LizziesTwin · 05/05/2023 22:20

Is she the type of child who doesn’t push things? As she’s saying it’s up to you is that because she’s worried it costs too much? She might be trying to manage her expectations.

Original poster
january123 · 05/05/2023 22:20

Strangely before Easter, the price was quoted at £700 and included a flight from Berlin to Krakow.

That flight has now been dropped in favour of coach travel but the cost has increased to £900.
Even though it also now includes evening meals, it seems like quite a price hike.

OP posts:
bunnyrabbitsandbutterflies · 05/05/2023 22:20

Florenz · 05/05/2023 21:57

School near me did a trip to Auschwitz as a day trip. They left at something like 4am and were back late the same night. 5 days is a lot. £900 is a lot.

They drove to Poland and back in less that 24hours and that included a visit to Auschwitz?

Iminthemoneylife · 05/05/2023 22:22

AnnaMagnani · 05/05/2023 22:13

@Iminthemoneylife I did go to Birkenau.

It was a very sunny spring day and there were people having a lovely time photographing the flowers while standing in a death camp that goes as far as the eye can see.

It was a very strange and difficult experience.

I understand what you’re saying. I too saw lots of selfies. I found people’s behaviour beyond bizarre.

rookiemere · 05/05/2023 22:22

january123 · 05/05/2023 21:47

Have asked DD, she says it's up to us! Confused

Honestly she isn't bothered, so don't waste your money.

There's a very moving exhibition about the Holocaust at the Imperial War Museum at the minute if you feel she should be learning more about it.

Original poster
january123 · 05/05/2023 22:23

LizziesTwin · 05/05/2023 22:20

Is she the type of child who doesn’t push things? As she’s saying it’s up to you is that because she’s worried it costs too much? She might be trying to manage her expectations.

Definitely not that child! If she really wanted to go we would hear about nothing else!

OP posts:
Iminthemoneylife · 05/05/2023 22:23

bunnyrabbitsandbutterflies · 05/05/2023 22:20

They drove to Poland and back in less that 24hours and that included a visit to Auschwitz?

Show quote history

I assumed flew and then coach. HET normally do this in one long day.

Sugarfish · 05/05/2023 22:25

I’d get her to make the decision. We went to Belgium when I was her age and saw a lot of war history but to be honest I just wasn’t that bothered about it then. It wasn’t until I got older and had more of an understanding of the Holocaust that I became interested. A visit to the imperial war museum kick started that so maybe take her there first to see what she makes of it.

Auschwitz is an experience but it’s not that far away so she’ll have many chances to visit when she’s older if she decides she wants to.

bunnyrabbitsandbutterflies · 05/05/2023 22:28

@Iminthemoneylife of course they flew. Sorry my brain tired obviously!

dreamingbohemian · 05/05/2023 22:30

It seems very expensive to me especially if they are just taking a coach to Krakow. That's like 9 hours, they'll lose a whole day.

If she is not fussed I would not do it.

Original poster
january123 · 05/05/2023 22:30

Decision has to be made by tomorrow and think we will decline. If it was less money I might be more willing to encourage her but given we'd realistically probably need to stump up at least £1200 all in, it's crazy.

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 05/05/2023 22:31

DDs school offered her a similar trip. For reasons I won't go I to she didn't get a place on the trip. Looking closely at the itinerary I realised I could take her for less than the price of the school trip and do it in nicer weather than February.

So DD didn't go in the trip, and covid meant none of us ever went. While I'm sure the trip is worthwhile and educational, I'm not convinced going on it would result in an increased GCSE grade. If your DD isn't bothered I wouldn't feel guilty about her not going.

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