Berlin, Prague, and Krakow (J-Term)
Music, Memory and Politics: Berlin, Prague, and Krakow
Program Dates: January 9-24, 2027
Academic Focus: Students will take an in-depth look at the history of Central Europe through the lens of classical and rock music. In Berlin we examine the use of music as a tool of state ideology (East) versus a symbol of decadent freedom (West). We contrast the government-persecuted punk scene of the GDR with the Weimar-era political cabaret and Cold War pop anthems. Then we move on to Prague to explore the direct connection between musical persecution and political revolution. We will trace the line from the trial of the underground band The Plastic People of the Universe to the birth of the Charter 77 human rights movement and the protest songs that became the anthems of the 1989 Velvet Revolution. We then arrive in Krakow to seek out the vibrant, lost world of pre-war Jewish folk music (Klezmer), witness the horrifying use of music as a tool of terror in the concentration camps, and understand it as a form of spiritual resistance under the most extreme conditions imaginable.
Faculty Leader: Jill Vogel (vogeljr@hollins.edu)
Application Information
Trip Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
Notification of application status: April 1, 2026
Trip Fee: Approximately $3,500 (including lodging, some meals, transportation, and entrance fees; does not include international flight costs to/from Europe)
Funding Opportunities: Hollins provides the opportunity for experiential learning scholarships for students with demonstrated financial need. These scholarships are not guaranteed and require a student be admitted into a program and complete the scholarship application process. Click here to visit the Hollins Experiential Learning Funding Opportunities landing page on Hollins' SharePoint site, where you'll find detailed information about eligibility, application timelines, and more. Still have questions about scholarships? Reach out directly to elapps@hollins.edu.
Eligibility: Open to all students. Students must be in good academic standing and have a minimum 2.5 GPA at time of application (and maintain that GPA minimum semester before program). Limited spots available.
*Because of the location and the nature of our activities, it is critical that the students that participate in this J-term course are prepared physically, emotionally, and mentally for the experience. You will need to be:
- Physically able to walk in an urban setting for the length of several blocks to a few miles
- Able to endure cold temperatures (make sure to dress warmly – many of our activities require outdoor travel, and average temperatures will be in the low-to-mid 30 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Able to live in close quarters with your group – our hostels are multi-person rooms, and aside from a few opportunities to explore on your own, you will be with the group the entire trip.
- Adaptable and flexible to last-minute changes that may occur on the trip.
- Open to different cultures and foods – we will spend our time largely in cities, but it is possible that we will not be offered the same diet accommodations we are accustomed to, and food, lodging, and transportation may be very different from what you are used to. We are guests in this region and need to be respectful, and you are there to learn!
- Aware of the emotional strain that may come with this trip. We will be visiting Auschwitz/Birkenau, and throughout the trip there will be heavy topics discussed. Make certain you are prepared to bear witness to some of these terrible things and remember that you are there to remember not only the cruelty but also the courage of those who survived it, and to honor those who did not.
Travel Info: Students will be responsible for booking their own flights: arriving at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) on January 9, 2027 (recommended arrival time: between 8 am and 6 pm local time); departing from John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice (KRK) (recommended departure time: between 6 am and 4 pm local time). Transportation between the cities is included in the trip fee. Estimate of international flight cost to Berlin and from Krakow: $700
For further questions specifically about the program, contact the faculty leader listed above.
For questions about study abroad in general, contact Dr. Ramona Kirsch, Director of Global Learning at kirschrr@hollins.edu
Berlin
Prague
Krakow