(Bradenton, Fla., August 3, 2023) — Students from State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) traveled to Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic for 13 days to study and explore locations associated with the Holocaust as part of the college’s study abroad program. The journey included guided tours, educational lectures, panel discussions and visits to places of significance, including the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, POLIN Museum of Jewish History, and concentration camps Auschwitz-Birkenau and Dachau.

Michael Rogers, SCF professor of history and politics, led the group, who spent time in Berlin, Munich, Nuremberg, Warsaw, Krakow and Prague. Each day, participants met with local and expert guides for tours and lectures, seeing and learning about historic monuments and artifacts. The students were required to keep journals during their trip to document their experiences and complete book reviews, write essays and give a class presentation upon returning.

“This was an exciting and highly educational journey across Europe,” said Rogers. “Students experienced a range of emotions, especially while visiting the concentration camps, and we all learned so many valuable lessons regarding the Holocaust.”

The trip was held in coordination with Education First College Study Tours. The study abroad program will continue in 2024, with Rogers planning a 10-day trip to study European history and culture in England, Scotland and Ireland.

For more information, contact Rogers at RogersM@SCF.edu or 941-408-1485.