International Exchange Program 2019 Terror Museum
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International Exchange Program 2019 Terror Museum By: Hannah Jeffers Opened on February 24th, 2002 the House of Terror Museum was founded to establish “a museum in or order to present these two bloody periods of Hungarian history”. The former building, before renovations, was the Nazi headquarters and then the Soviet Union’s after WWII. Both regimes used the basement as a prison. We were able to walk through the cells and go into the small, dark, damp quarters. You rode a slow elevator down to the cells while a video of a survivor shared his grueling experiences. Outside of the Museum stood a piece of the Berlin Wall, as a reminder to the perils of communism. Outside faces and names lined the building of victims of terror. There were even faceless names, and nameless faces. Once inside guests are greeted by the faces of victims covering the walls. A tank sits atop a small water exhibit. According to Our Hungarian Guide, Andi, the chain represents Hungary’s history with communism. A reminder to never be chained again. This monument was outside of the Terror House Museum. Visit http://www.terrorhaza.hu/en for more information. Shoes on the Danube Bank By: Hannah Jeffers As we walked along the Danube River there was a memorial of numerous metal shoes. These shoes come in all sizes and is in remembrance of the individuals who were forced to take off their shoes as they were shot into the River. There was an array of items such as pebbles, bracelets, and flowers left all around the memorial site. 3,500 people are said to have died this way, 800 were Jews, During 1944- 1945 Dohany Street Synagogue, Budapest By : Hannah Jeffers This is the Largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. The largest being in New York, Temple Emanu-El. The history in the building was profound. When you look up inside it was breathtaking and the Star of David was found everywhere. In the lighting and paintings. All male visitors where provided with a Yamaka to be worn while taking the tour unless you had your own head covering. This history dates back to the 19th Century and it is still an active Synagogue. There is also a Museum inside which housed artifacts from all different time periods. We were lucky enough to Have a Guide show us the other memorials and exhibits on The Synagogue grounds. My Favorite is the metal Willow Tree dedicated to the individuals who were a victim or survivor of the Holocaust. Family Members can contact the office and get a name added still today. There also is was a Jewish Cemetery located in the courtyard of the Synagogue where nearly 2,000 victims are memorialized from the year 1944-1945. This area was called the “Jewish Ghetto” and was targeted as until the Russians liberated. Language Barriers By Shannon Thomas A különböző országokban való látogatás során fontos figyelembe venni a nyelvi akadályokat… This translates from Hungarian to English as, “language barriers are important to consider when visiting different countries.” On this exchange program, most of us had not been previously exposed to the Hungarian or German language or culture. It was an intense, yet insightful learning experience for all of us to be wandering around without a known means of communication with the community. We had to interpret common amenities like signs, directions, instructions on laundry machines, transportations, and some menus (if there was not an English copy available). This was a stressful and engaging experience because we were forced to critically think and use our best knowledge to get the results we wanted. Luckily, we had a wonderful tour guide in Hungary who helped us figure things out. The language barriers brought our group together, as we tried to experience the countries the best we could. Dachau Concentration Camp By: Caroline Wallace Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp opened in 1933 and the longest in operation until 1945. I was prepared for our day at Dachau to be intense but being in the same place that thousands of Jews died from malnutrition, disease, being overworked or execution was something I could have never imagined. It was a gloomy, rainy day when we went which added to the uneasy feelings. Walking through the gates that read “arbeit macht frei” or “work sets you free” was sad to see because it was like a false promise to so many of the people that walked through that same gate. The memorial site/museum offered so much information and I think that we all could have spent hours walking around and reading about the history of the place and all of the individuals and families affected by the Holocaust. It was hard to try to rationalize how something like this could possibly happen or why so many people believed this was the right thing to do. The size of the roll-call square and the amount of barracks was overwhelming but really put into perspective how many people went through these events. Walking through the crematory and gas chamber was probably the most difficult part for me. I couldn’t help but to imagine what these people could have been feeling or thinking when they were forced to take these exact steps. Overall, I feel like this experience was very touching and one that I will never forget. Although it was tough to imagine all of the terrible things that happened at Dachau, I am glad that we got the opportunity to witness and remember all of the individuals who lost their lives here. Periféria Association Laura Farkas The Periféria Association does amazing work with the homeless population in Nyiregyhaza. Katalin Szoboszlai, founder of the Periféria Association, talked about how under the socialism regime, the state punished those who did not have a home and lived on the street which made it more difficult to be homeless. After the regime changed the rules changed. The Association was founded in 1995 as a way to do street work with the homeless population. They provide mental support, in-kind donations, information about homelessness, homeless care, provisions, crisis intervention, case management and a help-line service. They have a crisis car for emergencies and can transfer clients to needed services. With this car they are able to go do outreach for clients twice a day. I was lucky enough to go on one of these outreach trips with the staff there and was able to get an inside look into what they do. While out on this “adventure” we went to three camp sites to check in on some individuals and families that live there. Our host informed us they have a specific route they go to initially then if any crisis arises, they can go to transport and check on clients while out. It was amazing to see the relationships the Association has built up with the homeless population and to see what they are able to do for this population. I was eager to learn as much about this population in Nyiregyhaza so I could bring back ideas for changes to my own place of employment, a homeless shelter in Louisville. Nuremberg: Germany’s Most Historic City By: Taylor Shaw Nuremberg (Nürnberg) is Bavaria’s second largest city, with records dating back to 1050. In 1470, the city was the first renaissance north of the Alps. In the 1500’s, the first world globes were manufactured in Nuremberg, along with the first pocket watch (referred to as the Nurnberg Egg). The city is home to Christkindlesmarkt, Germany’s most famous holiday market. Other highlights of the city include the Imperial Castle. The castle was built here as early as the 11th century and hosted gatherings of the court, Diets, and juridical sessions of all German Emperors and kings of the Holy Roman Empire. St. Lawrence’s Church, Frauenkirche (The Church of Our Lady), St. Sebaldus Church and artist Albrecht Druer’s House are also main tourist attractions in the city. In more recent history, Nuremberg is known for its role in the rise of the National Socialist Party in Germany. In 1927, the first Nazi rally was held in this city. In 1935, the Nürnberg Laws were the first of its kind to rob the Jewish of their place in society and state. Towards the end of the Nazi reign, the last Nazi party rally was held in Nuremberg with over 1 million people participating. Not only did Nuremberg play a role in the rise of the Nazi party, but it also played a major role in their decline. In 1946, the Nuremberg Trials were held with the purpose of bringing Nazi war criminals to justice. Personally, Nuremberg was one of my favorite highlights from the entire trip. The medieval architecture and culture were truly breathtaking. You could not ignore the rich history of the city while strolling through its cobblestone streets. For lunch, the group enjoyed Nurnbergers (the local take on bratwurst) at the famous Bratwursthäusle, which was the best Bavarian meal I ate during my time in Germany. Architecturally, I was most taken by the beauty of St. Lawrence’s Church. However, the views of the old city from the top of the Imperial Castle were equally as breathtaking. I hope to get the opportunity to visit the city again someday, especially during the holidays to see the famous Christkindlesmarkt! Munich, Germany By: Jayme Waddell This unique opportunity allowed us to see and do so many amazing things, but my favorite part of this trip was experiencing Munich.