DD Berlin/Auschwitz school trip

[january123]

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?!

If you go to Krakow there are tours and day trips advertised everywhere.

I stayed a couple of nights in Krakow and got a normal local bus line there and paid when I arrived. There’s no need to take a trip to get there.

We took the train. But, obviously, it's an unsettling way to get there.

My 15yo DD spent 3 nights in Krakow recently on a GCSE history trip. It was £550 including flights, coach, accommodation and food. They did a walking tour of Krakow and visited Auschwitz and Birkenau. DD gained so much from it but is massively into history and is going on to do A Level then hopefully degree. She felt Auschwitz was more museum like but was deeply moved by Birkenau. She didnt take her phone into Birkenau, she said it felt wrong. Others on the trip who were less interested upset her on occasion as they were quite disrespectful. If your DD isn't bothered, save the money.