Psychologists visit Poland
From Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 March 2025, a group of Psychology students embarked on a thought-provoking and immersive trip to Kraków, Poland, designed to deepen their understanding of obedience, social influence, and historical events.
.This experience was closely linked to key psychological studies, such as Milgram’s research on authority, allowing students to witness first-hand how historical tragedies relate to concepts explored in the classroom.
During the trip, students visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps, where they gained an invaluable insight into the inhumane tragedies of the Holocaust. They also had the rare opportunity to meet a Holocaust survivor, whose testimony made history feel even more personal and impactful. Beyond this, students explored Kraków’s Old Town and Jewish Quarter, delved underground at the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and experienced Polish culture through traditional food and a folk show.
It was an unforgettable journey of learning, reflection, and personal growth, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.
What did you learn from the trip?
“What happened at Auschwitz was horrific and how it happened, with many people complying and helping, and that from this we shouldn’t allow anything like this to happen again. As for visiting a new city, I feel its given me the confidence to go and do this on my own when I’m older, because of how much I enjoyed it!” HH Y13
“Everyone should visit Auschwitz at one time in their life to be able to fully appreciate the scale and speed of the Holocaust. I feel scale is mentioned regularly but not other vital details, such as how the Nazis treated the prisoners within the camps, the conditions they endured, the speed they were killed at and how some took genuine pleasure in what they did.” CM Y12
“Take time to enjoy moments with your loved ones. They can be taken away from you in an instant.” OL Y13
What made the trip a memorable moment for you?
“Being able to get closer to some people who I otherwise maybe wouldn't have spent as much time with and experiencing something I have always wanted to experience.” OL Y13
“Getting to learn about and immerse myself in other cultures and points in history.” AB Y12
“I would say trying new foods, exploring an amazing city, and making friends, which meant I could have fun and de-stress from A-Levels. Alongside this, at Auschwitz it was extremely powerful learning about the atrocities that took place.” HH Y13
