Study Trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum / Kraków 2026
The "Erinnerung der Großregion" (Memory of the Greater Region) working group, in collaboration with the University of Trier’s Initiative for Interdisciplinary Antisemitism Research, is organizing a study trip to Poland (Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum / Kraków) from October 2 to 9, 2026. The trip will be accompanied by academic experts Dr. Thomas Grotum and Julia Kleusch (both from the University of Trier). Dr. Sandra Dörrenbächer (Saarland University) will also accompany the study group.
Auschwitz has become synonymous with the inhumane nature of the Nazi regime. Located approximately 60 km west of Kraków, this site—the largest concentration and extermination camp—operated from May 20, 1940, to January 27, 1945. While Polish political prisoners were the primary group deported to the camp in the early stages, this changed once Auschwitz-Birkenau became the center of the so-called "Final Solution to the Jewish Question" for Europe's Jews. The death toll ranges from 1.1 to 1.5 million people; the vast majority were murdered in the gas chambers at Birkenau immediately upon arrival. More than 400,000 prisoners were registered within the camp complex—which comprised three main camps (the main camp, Birkenau, and Monowitz) and around 50 sub-camps—and approximately half of them perished in the camp itself, whether through execution, disease, malnutrition, mistreatment, or medical experiments, or by being selected as unfit for work and subsequently gassed.
During the study trip, guided tours lasting four to five hours will be conducted at the main camp and across the Birkenau site. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit the existing national exhibitions independently. The program includes a look at the memorial's collections, a visit to the exhibition by Auschwitz survivor Marian Kołodziej, and a tour of the former "Auschwitz Camp Interest Zone" and its sub-camps. The group spends one day in Kraków (a four-hour guided city tour; optional visit to the Historical Museum—Oskar Schindler’s former enamel factory).
Impressions from study trips over the past few years
Program
Friday, October 2, 2026
Arrival
03:30 AM: Departure from Trier (University / Train Station)
06:15 AM: Flight from Luxembourg to Krakow
08:30 AM: Arrival at Krakow Airport
09:00 AM: Bus transfer to Oświęcim (ZGUDZIA company)
10:00 AM: Arrival in Oświęcim
Morning (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
First reflection session (introductions, expectations, etc.) / Visit to the Museum of the Memory of Oświęcim Inhabitants
1:00 PM: Check-in
Afternoon (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Guided tour of Oświęcim led by Dr. Thomas Grotum
Evening (18:00 – 21:30)
Joint dinner (with Dr. Jerzy Dębski and Jan Parcer)
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Morning (10:00 – 14:00)
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum:
Tour of the main camp (guided tour, 4 hrs)
Afternoon (15:00 – 17:00)
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum: Independent viewing of the national exhibitions in the main camp
Evening (17:00 – 21:00)
17:00 Joint exchange of experiences
19:00 Joint dinner (Polish cuisine: Chata Na Zaborskiej)
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Morning (10:00 – 14:00)
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum:
Tour of the Birkenau camp (guided tour, 4 hrs)
Afternoon (16:00 – 17:00)
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum:
Independent viewing of the national exhibitions in the main camp or the site at Birkenau
Evening (17:00 – 21:00)
17:00 Joint exchange of experiences
19:00 Joint dinner
Monday, October 5, 2026
Morning (09:00 – 15:00)
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum:
09:00 Visit to the collections
10:30 Work with sources (copies)
13:00 Independent viewing of the national exhibitions in the main camp or the site at Birkenau
Afternoon (15:00 – 17:00 ... o'clock)
Optional activities:
Visit to the synagogue in Oświęcim
Visit to the Jewish cemetery in Oświęcim
Evening (17:00 – 22:00)
17:00 Group discussion/sharing of experiences
19:00 Group dinner (typical Polish meal: *Prażone*)
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Trip to Kraków
Morning (10:00 – 14:00)
City tour (4 hours: Old Town, University, Wawel, former Jewish quarter Kazimierz)
Afternoon and evening
Optional activities in Kraków:
- Visit to St. Mary's Basilica
- Exploration of the former Jewish quarter Kazimierz (visit to the Tempel Synagogue)
- Visit to the "Rynek Podziemny" (Underground Market Square) Museum
- Visit to the "Schindler's Factory" Museum
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Morning (09:30 – 12:00)
Visit to the exhibition by Marian Kołodziej (former prisoner from the first Polish transport) at the Franciscan Monastery in Harmęże
Afternoon / Evening (13:00 – 22:00)
Optional in Oświęcim (independent viewing of the national exhibitions in the main camp, including book purchases and film screening) or
Kraków (including a visit to the "Schindler's Factory" Museum).
No group discussion/sharing of experiences
19:00 Group dinner in Oświęcim (sub-group)
Thursday, 8 October 2026
Morning (10:00 – 12:00)
Visit to the Oświęcim University (located in the former Tobacco Monopoly buildings = site where the
1st Polish prisoner transport was housed). Presentation about the university and guided tour. Midday/Afternoon (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
The KL Auschwitz site: Explorations around the former camp – led by Jan Parcer (former Deputy Head of the Archives)
Visit to the Gerhard Richter BIRKENAU exhibition pavilion at the International Youth Meeting Centre in Oświęcim
Evening (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Exchange with students from the university in Oświęcim (over a joint dinner)
Friday, October 9, 2026
Return journey
6:30 AM: Departure from Oświęcim (ZGUDZIA coach company)
8:55 AM: Flight from Kraków to Luxembourg
11:05 AM: Arrival at Luxembourg Airport
11:45 AM: Bus transfer to Trier
12:45 PM: Arrival in Trier (University)
Midday (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Concluding reflection session at the University of Trier
Open to students from all departments and disciplines at the University of Trier.
Academic supervision: Dr. Thomas Grotum / Julia Kleusch
Registration deadline: June 30, 2026
Initial preparatory meeting: Thursday, July 16, 2026, 6:00 PM, Room C10
Registration: Via email to s3jukleuuni-trierde with the following details:
- Name, address, and date of birth
- Email address and telephone number
- Student ID number and field of study
- Letter of motivation (maximum one page)
The personal contribution fee is €150.
