Holocaust Program in Europe

We are offering a study abroad program in May 2024 entitled: "Leadership Across Difference: Lessons from Medieval Spain." For more information, please see lead.gmu.edu/spain and/or contact Dr. Nick Lennon at nlennon@gmu.edu.

"Ethics and Leadership: Lessons from the Holocaust" was last offered in May 2019. The information below is from the May 2019 program.

 

How do I apply and submit the deposit?
Go to the following link to complete the application process: Holocaust Program Application

  • If the link above does not work, please go to the following link and search for “Holocaust” under "Advanced Search": masonabroad.gmu.edu

Program dates will be May 22 – June 1, 2019 (dates may change by a couple days, but we will leave no earlier than May 19, 2019 and return from Europe no later than June 2, 2019).

There will be group meetings before our time in Europe. We will start in Berlin, Germany around Thursday, May 23, 2019. We will end in Prague, Czech Republic around Saturday, June 1, 2019. Before applying please make sure you are able to be in Europe for 10 days sometime between around May 19-June 2, 2019.

 



Quotes from student participants:

  • “A summary cannot sum up the experience I had. It was one of a lifetime. I enjoyed traveling to different countries, meeting new people, and experiencing new things. I highly recommend this class to anyone and everyone. You will gain a new perspective and create memories that will last a lifetime.”
  • “I loved the idea and angle the course took at the holocaust. We have been learning about it for years but this allowed us to start with a fresh lens and that was great.”
  • “To walk along the very street from which the Nazis ruled Germany and there to read about how the Nazis created such a reign of terror made the Holocaust, and all the other horrors of WWII, more real to me than any book or movie.”
  • “Visiting Auschwitz concentration camp impacted me deeply and helped me to truly understand the responsibility that we all have to be active citizens of the world.”
  • “[Our instructor] was awesome! He was very knowledgeable about the leadership aspect but also did a great job of creating a safe space to openly discuss some personal experiences.”

 


Are you ready for a life-changing experience in Europe (Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic)?

  • Want to earn 3 credits as part of this 10 day experience?
  • Ready to consider some of the most challenging ethical questions of your life?
  • Time to learn more about your own views concerning leadership and ethics?
  • Want to have a leadership course/experience on your transcript and/or resume?
  • Undergraduate or Graduate credit available (see below).

It is not too early to start thinking about how this course can fit into your schedule. Space is limited.

Join us to explore the concepts of ethics and leadership through the example of the Holocaust. This 10 day traveling learning community will visit Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. There will also be meetings before and after our time in Europe. Ethical leadership will be explored, through examples from the Holocaust, in a way that is applicable to life today so that the lessons of the Holocaust may not be forgotten.

Nazi Germany mass murdered Jews, Poles, Romani people (Gypsies), gay people, people with disabilities, political opponents and many others during the Holocaust. Ethical leadership will be explored through examples from the Holocaust in Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, and the Auschwitz concentration camp. Students and the course facilitator(s) will work together to explore questions such as: Why do people do bad things? How are values and ethics established in individuals, groups and organizations? What are the responsibilities of leaders to establish ethical climates in their organizations and communities? What are the responsibilities of followers and bystanders? Are there universal values and ethical principles in leadership? How does culture influence ethical leadership? What are some helpful approaches to ethical questions? How does this all relate to you, today?

Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL) and the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Office are offering this 3 credit “Ethics and Leadership: Lessons from the Holocaust” course in May 2019. This will count as a Summer course and can apply to the School of Integrative Studies (SIS) leadership minor (counts as a required course for the minor), but you do not need to be in the minor to take the course.

Undergraduate credit available through:

  • School of Integrative Studies (INTS 498)
  • Psychology (PSYC 461)
  • Conflict Analysis and Resolution (CONF 385)
  • History Department (HIST 388)
  • Honors College (HNRS 130)

Graduate credit available through:

  • School of Integrative Studies (INTS 595)
  • Philosophy (PHIL 694)
  • Conflict Analysis and Resolution (CONF 695)

The cost for this unique Field Study course are estimated at $4,500 not including airfare to Europe, or $5,622 if you’d like your airfare included. It may be possible to apply your financial aid to this course (summer financial aid). The cost includes tuition for the course (3 credits), transportation within Europe with a full time tour director from our partner EF Tours, hotels for 9 nights (with private bathrooms), international emergency insurance, all breakfasts and some other meals, sightseeing tours with local expert guides and museum entrances. Spaces in this course will be limited!

  • For information about registration and payment please contact Greg Justice (Enterprise Hall Room 433, Fairfax Campus) at gjustice@gmu.edu; 703-993-1740
  • For information about course academics please contact Dr. Nick Lennon at nlennon@gmu.edu

 


FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

What is the deadline to apply?
Application forms and deposit must be received no later than February 8, 2019. There is a $150 discount for those who enroll prior to Oct 30, 2018.

How do I apply?
Go to the following link to complete the application process: Holocaust Program Application

  • If the link above does not work, please go to the following link and search for “Holocaust” under "Search Programs": masonabroad.gmu.edu

Once you create an application for the Holocaust program via the site above, the next steps in the process are the following:

  • We will contact you about an "advising interview". This is a 15 minute phone conversation and you do not need to prepare anything for this conversation.
  • We will let you know if you can move forward in the process.
  • If you are OK to move forward in the process we will give you a code to be able to pay the $750 deposit.
    • Note: You must submit your $750 deposit via the button on the application website to hold your spot. Space is limited.

Are there any scholarships available?  
Yes! We have up to ten (10) $500 scholarships available for George Mason University students for the May 2019 program. The money for these scholarships was generously donated by the Parents Fund. These scholarships are need- and/or merit-based. Amounts will vary depending on the decision of the scholarship committee, but will be approximately, and no more than, $500 per recipient. The purpose of these scholarships is to increase student access to participation in this program. This is done by helping to reduce financial barriers that Mason students may encounter and increasing and diversifying participation in study abroad at Mason. Recipients will be selected after they have officially applied and submitted their $750 deposit for the program. For more information, please contact Dr. Nick Lennon at nlennon@gmu.edu.

EF Tours (our partners for this program) also offers student scholarships for study abroad programs like this one. Please see their website at: https://www.efcollegestudytours.com/scholarship

Are university students from all backgrounds welcome on this field study course?  
Absolutely! We welcome university students from all backgrounds, viewpoints, etc. Through the example of the Holocaust we will be learning about ethics and leadership and how it applies to YOU, TODAY. The Holocaust is the case study, the lessons are applicable to all. Note: our philosophy of leadership is that everyone has the potential to be a leader and that leadership does not require a formal position. GPA requirement: Undergraduate students must have a 2.5 GPA or above to participate, Graduate students must have a 3.0 GPA or above to participate.

I am not a George Mason University student, can I still participate?
Yes, we can enroll you as a non-matriculating student, which will allow you to transfer credit to your home institution. Please check with your department first however to be sure the credits are applicable to your degree.

Is there a company in Europe that will be taking us around?
Yes, we are working with EF (Education First) College Study Tours (http://www.eftours.com/). A well-respected company that, for over 50 years, has helped teachers and students discover the world through culturally immersive educational travel. We will have a full time tour director from EF Tours with us 24 hours a day. EF's Traveler Support Team’s phone number is 877-485-4184.

Can I travel in Europe before and/or after this field study course?
Yes! Students often like to travel before and/or after a field study course. You can choose to purchase your own round trip airfare to Europe so that you have the flexibility to travel to and from Europe when it works best for you or you can work with our partners at EF Tours to schedule an extended stay in Europe. Please note that final class assignments will be due around June 30, 2019 (approximately 1 month after our time together in Europe) so if you are traveling after our last day together in Europe, please make sure you will have time to work on the assignments.

Where will we meet in Europe?
For those who are purchasing their own flights to/from Europe, we will meet at a clearly specified day/time at our hotel in Berlin, Germany. For those who woulds like their flights to/from Europe included, EF Tours will meet you at the airport in Berlin, Germany and transport you to our hotel in Berlin. You will receive more specific details after you have applied.

What is the itinerary (where will we be visiting each day)?
Please see our sample itinerary (itinerary is subject to change).

I do not have any background in ethics, leadership or the Holocaust, can I still attend?
Definitely! We welcome university students from all disciplines and levels of understanding about ethics, leadership and the Holocaust. There are no prerequisite courses. GPA requirement: Undergraduate students must have a 2.5 GPA or above to participate, Graduate students must have a 3.0 GPA or above to participate.

What’s the cost and what is included in the cost of this field study course?
The cost includes tuition for the course (3 credits), transportation within Europe with a full time tour director from EF Tours, hotels for 9 nights (with private bathrooms), international emergency insurance, all breakfasts and some other meals, sightseeing tours with local expert guides and museum entrances. The cost is $5,622 (airfare included to/from Europe and arranged by EF Tours). You will also need to bring spending money. If you would prefer to arrange and purchase your own flights, we would need to know this by December 20, 2018 and the overall cost will be approximately $1,000 cheaper (please check with us for the final cost if you plan to purchase your own flights). Please don’t forget that these prices include 3 credits of tuition which you would be paying for anyway if you took an on campus course.

What is the rooming like?
EF Tours Rooming Policy: Students 29 years old or under default into rooms of 3 or 4 people based on gender. Travelers 30 years old or older default into twin rooming. Travelers in triples or quads can choose to upgrade to a twin room for an additional cost (approx $360). To upgrade to a single room there is an additional charge (approx $720, or $360 in addition to the approx $360 twin room supplement if you are already paying for the twin room).

Can I apply my financial aid to this field study course?
You should be able to apply your financial aid to this course as you would to any other official Mason summer course, but please confirm with the financial aid office regarding your specific situation.

Which George Mason University course numbers apply?  The course can count as a School of Integrative Studies (SIS) course (counts towards the Leadership Minor), a History (HIST) course, an Honors College (HNRS) course, a Philosophy course (PHIL), a Psychology course (PSYC 461) or a Conflict Analysis and Resolution (CONF) course.

Undergraduate: INTS 498, CONF 385, HIST 388, or HNRS 130, PSYC 461

Graduate: INTS 595, PHIL 694 or CONF 695

After your deposit has been paid, the SAIL Field Studies office will register you for the appropriate course. You will not register for this study abroad courses through Patriotweb.

Which semester will the 3 credits count towards? Summer.

How much work will this class be and when will assignments be due?
This is a 3 credit class so the amount of work will be equivalent to other 3 credit classes. Our time together will be condensed (traveling together as opposed to meeting a couple times a week in a classroom). Note: Please plan to complete most assignments AFTER our time together in Europe. The course syllabus will have more details about readings and assignments. Most class assignments will be due around June 30, 2019 (approximately 1 month after our last day in Prague) so if you are traveling after our last day together in Prague, please make sure you will have time to work on the assignments.

Can this course count towards the School of Integrative Studies (SIS) Leadership Minor?
Yes, you can substitute this course for the INTS 404 (Ethics & Leadership) requirement OR you can use this course as an approved elective for the minor. This course will count for 3 “Experiential Learning” credits so it is a great way to get your Experiential Learning credit hours.

Can this count towards the School of Integrative Studies (SIS) Experiential Learning credits?
Yes! It can count as 3 experiential learning credits.

Once I apply, how do I register for the actual course at George Mason University (Undergraduate: INTS 498, CONF 385, HIST 388, HNRS 130 or PSYC 461; Graduate: INTS 595, PHIL 694 or CONF 695)?
There is an additional step and paperwork that is specific to the registrar’s office that has to be filled out and submitted. When SAIL receives your Application and Deposit they send you the course registration forms. When you have filled these out and returned them to SAIL they will register you for the class and it will show up in your student account (You will not register for your study abroad courses through Patriotweb). You will pay for the program through your student account in summer 2019.

Who is the instructor?

Nick Lennon, PhD
Director, Leadership Education and Development (LEAD)
George Mason University

nlennon@gmu.edu


 

Note: This program meets one of the requirements for the Patriot Experience Program.  For more information about the Patriot Experience program, visit patriotexperience.gmu.edu.