Student Reflections

Jackson Garrity (Freshman, Political Science)

“Two words best describe this trip to the Holocaust museum: sobering and humbling. I finally got an in-depth look at the Holocaust, and although I was prepared to learn saddening things, I was not entirely prepared for how gruesome the truth would be. The museum did a good job of putting into perspective the fact that 11 million people were annihilated. The entire trip made me angry and sad. That being said, I am so glad I went on the trip. It was very educational and I think it is important to know the truth. The only way to fight anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry is to understand them and the destruction they can cause.”

Christine Sisler 

"Even though I had a great deal of background knowledge before visiting the museum I was able to gain so much knowledge through Professor Factor’s tour and the museum exhibits."

Jodi Stillisano 

"The trip was emotionally and physically exhausting for me, but I am glad that I experienced it." 

Tiffany Nowicki

"Getting on a bus to go to the Holocaust Memorial Museum at 5 in the morning was worth every hour. I have always been intrigued by the subject of WWII and the Holocaust and being able to go to Washington D.C. to visit the historical memorial was definitely an amazing opportunity and experience."
"Walking through the museum it can really get to you. Listening to the stories of survivors and even stories of people who had perished gave an insight into the horrific times that people had faced that reading from a history book just wouldn't be able to accomplish." 

Janine Butler

"The museum truly was a remarkable and historical experience walking through each level I felt the tension rise in my bones, my heart over flooded with compassion, and consumed by respect as a time to remember."

Tiara Brown

"I read about these things that have happened to the Jews but when I went to the museum and got to see displays of the real thing it had an impact on me, it was something that I won’t ever forget and I thank you for the opportunity." 

Rebecca Lazarus

"After visiting the Holocaust Museum I realized that what I had learned in high school and Hebrew school was not nearly enough to really understand everything. Of course I always knew the basics, but the museum took me to a new level of understanding. Instead of learning, I was feeling the experiences of suffering and despair within the victims. I felt like I learned more within those three hours in the museum than I ever learned in my life. The Holocaust Museum provided me with an unforgettable experience that assured me that anyone who has also gone through the museum will always remember to "never forget".

Shelley Blundell

"I feel truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of the sponsored trip to the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. April 3.  I had taken a few classes during my undergraduate studies in history looking at various elements of the Holocaust; but being able to fill in the gaps in my studies by visiting the museum, including seeing the social artifacts of the Holocaust, and reading the stories of triumph and survival in the face of pure evil and hatred, made me truly appreciate the impact of the Holocaust on the human historical record. It was an incredibly moving, thought-provoking experience, and I am thankful to everyone who made the trip possible. I eagerly look forward to more opportunities of this nature, and encourage anyone else with a thirst for knowledge to take advantage of such opportunities in the future."

Matt Branco

"I was expecting my experience at the Holocaust Museum to be mostly an emotional experience, but instead what i took away was a new understanding of how the Holocaust developed."

Carol Blundell

"Thank you so much to you and your team for the wonderful opportunity that you provided us with; the extremely well organized trip to the Holocaust Museum.  Having done the class last summer, I thought my knowledge was fairly extensive on the subject.  Walking around the exhibits and reading the individual stories not only brought it to life for me, but also made me realize that my familiarity with the subject is only on the surface. Also being able to listen to individual stories of survivors brings home in a startling way what these poor people suffered so unnecessarily."

Yana Grinblat

"It's very easy to be detached from the Holocaust because what we learn in class is so intangible and brief. But going to the museum and personally exploring the artifacts for several hours, closed off from the rest of the world, is different. Being able to see, read, hear, & touch things that piece together such an unthinkable event is an otherwise unattainable educational experience."