Recently I’ve been deliberately setting aside time to step back and, with intention, reflect on life. And one of the parts of my life that I find myself focusing on are the Holocaust Studies tours. Over the years, I’ve bumped into former students or fellow travelers who often go out of their way and make it a point to let me know the value they have taken from this study abroad experience. I always find these spontaneous exchanges to be moving and encouraging. Furthermore, I often find the way students express the tour’s importance to them to be measured and particular, coming from some authentic place within – and often by using phrases, pulling-out memories, and expressing emotions in ways that surprise me and reveal new moments of meaning to me.
If you have been one of the students or non-student adults who have gone on one of these tours over the years, if you’d like to take a few moments to gather your thoughts and send them to me, I’d be very grateful. In the top right-hand corner of this blog post there is a “contact” feature. I’d love to hear from you. Also, please let me know if you’d rather me not make your reflections public, or at least not connect your name with it. The reason being, I’m thinking about crafting a blog post that would feature in some way these responses.
Maybe you have not been able to go on one of the tours, but someone who you know has – or maybe you have felt particular close to the tour through my daily posts. Whatever the case, I’d be interested in hearing from you as well. Entering into an experience though the life of another can be powerful.
Finally, if you would be willing to let others who went on the tour but who you presume may not be connected to me via social media; if you would be willing to let them know about this request, I’d be very grateful. (I’ve lost contact with so many former students…it’s sad to think about, really.) I’d love to hear from any former tour member who is interested in taking a few moments to share their thoughts.
Thank you for considering this request – and thank you for bringing this request to the attention of others.
