2022 Munich Migration and Integration Service-Learning Study-Abroad

In the aftermath of every horrific historical event remarks abound suggesting the people and the world will never forget, that this will never happen again. But, history has a tendency to repeat itself. They say that those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it, but those who do learn history are doomed to watch others repeat it. Germany has definitely learned its history but does simply being informed have any bearing on future actions? If we look at the results of the recent election we have to ask this question. If we look at the results of the recent U.S. election we have to ask this question. Though times have changed and the world has industrialized, the politics of fear and the power of scapegoating are stronger than ever. We look at the Holocaust and think to ourselves, "How could someone let this happen?" The answer to that is simple, most people didn't realize what they were allowing to go on. The Nazis rose to power because they had the democra...

Taking the trip to Dachau shouldn't be something one is excited for. Now don't get me wrong, people should be eager to go and they should make a trip. My experience in Dachau though was not an enjoyable one but a necessary one. Now with the advent of social media though, sites like this are now becoming "attractive" in the worst way. I was caught off guard by the amount of picture taking and selfies that went on through all aspects of the tour. This is of course my outside perspective, but visitors seemed more interested in getting the perfect shot than taking a moment to realize their surroundings. People on the site often walk lens first, and experience the museum through their camera's filter. Has society now become more desensitized to the horrors of humanity? Which has become more important, the experience or the evidence of the experience?