Germany - IB DP History Programme

(Our previous name is “Global Sapiens Educational Tour Limited” and "China Educational Service Limited")

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Berlin & Environs, Germany (Interdiscipline 510)

IB DP History Programme: Germany and WWII

(Exploring three history layers in Berlin and Dresden)

Home > Interdisciplinary Programme > Germany > IB DP History Programme

1. Nazi Era 1933 - 1945

Weimar Republic and Hilter's rise to power: UNESCO social modern housing built in 1910 to 1933, Themed visits of the History Museum and Parliament, Workshop in Topography of Terror
Nazi propaganda: Themed visits of the History Museum & Olympic Stadium
Holocaust & identity: Themed visits of the Jewish Museum & Concentration Camp
WWII destruction of a key cultural landmark: Bombing of Dresden

2. The Cold War 1947 - 1991

Berlin Wall & Check Point Charlie
Nuclear war bunker and Story of Berlin Museum
EU's eastern expansion after the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1990

3 Learning Themes

Programme Features

Duration : 6 days
Suggested group size: 20 to 40
City to be visited : Berlin, Dresden (1 to 2-day excursion)
Accommodation : Hostel or 3-star hotel
Transportation : Chartered air-conditioned coach, public transportation

within city

Itinerary : Sample itinerary is available upon request. Contact us
See more: Trip Support - Our role

Teacher's Comment: Hywel Bennett, IB Diploma Programme Coordinator, Beijing World Youth Academy

“I am writing to express my complete satisfaction with our recent trip to Berlin. We were thoroughly impressed with the methodical way in which the trip was organised. Our hostel was very comfortable and I believe this added to the group experience. Excursions were appropriate and always ably led by yourself and the appropriate guides.”

3. A glimpse of Germany before the 2nd Reich

Earlier kings of the House of Hohenzollern & Prussian value system: Potsdam Sans Souci Palace & Frederick the Great
Baroque lifestyle of Elector of Saxony, an enlightened absolutist king in the German feudal system: Dresden Zwinger, Castle Pillnitz / Moritzburg / Meissen / Koenigstein (optional)
Military Museum: Dresden

Activity Highlights

Summary of pedagogic approaches and activities:

orienteering game, art appreciation, experiencing life of early monks, themed visit and workshop in museums, interaction with science and technology, DIY of art & craft

Roman, Student, Age 16

“Very interesting visit, which help to understand Germany and it’s culture from different perspectives, and learn varies aspects of German history. Hostels which provided by tour company was very good and clean especially suitable for students who travel around. Thank you.”

Nikolaus, Student, Age 16

“I enjoyed the trip especially learning about the Weimar Republic and the town before the First World War. I also enjoyed getting the chance to see these places that I had heard and read about. Finally, getting a deeper insight into Berlin and it’s history was also extremely interesting!”

David, Student, Age 16

“Lots and lots of information as well as a very comprehensive experience. Interacting detailed and large in breadth. I did enjoy this trip and would definitely visit Europe again as a result!”

Susan, Student, Age 17

“I think this trip is special about its learning values. The schedule is almost full of studies in museum. It has been a good learning experience which helped me a lot in learning history.”

Morgan, Age 16

“I like the galleries a lot. These are something we can never see in TV. The concentrate camp and the memorial were also pretty good. I have to admit we have see most of famous sites near Berlin.”

Ramon Villar, Teacher, Beijing World Youth Academy

“This trip is unique and meaningful for IB DP History students, as it provides them with the opportunity to experience what they have been learning in class and to develop a passion for History. “

Sean Li, Student, Age 17

"Unlike other cultural trips I've been on, which mostly presented the positive history of specific locations or demographics, this trip revealed the extremely dark side -- we deeply connect with the horror, cruelty and injustice people experience during the Nazi or post-Nazi regime with every visit we embarked on, each one more shocking and alarming than the other. This trip is extremely educational and reminds me of the wickedness and evilness human minds can contrive, as well as how its imperative for our civilization to move forward in unison and in peace."

Benjamin Li, Student, Age 17

"This entire trip was extremely fun and fascinating at the same time, for we not only engaged in activities such as getting on a hot-air balloon ride or attempting to jump over the Berlin Wall, but we also deepened our understanding of German history and culture as we visited multiple historical sites and museums. Moreover, the fact that the other people on the trip were my classmates and teachers made me feel a sense of camaraderie, which I greatly valued."

Penelope, Student, Age 17

"What's unique about this trip is that we are able to see the historical monuments and the places in person after studying them during class and it was great to hear our tour guides explaining each site and analyzing the historical evidence. What's also great is that our tour guide is really amazing and patient and I learned a lot through having conversations. Lastly, I also think what's unique is that I found out exactly how democratic/free people are in Germany, and they can watch the debates in parliament and see where the chancellor lives."

Eric, Student, Age 17

"As what I said on the last day during lunch time, I think the significance of the trip for me... a beginner of history learning was not to learn anything, but to experience the mood and general atmosphere during the war. Of course, the trip itself related to the curriculum provided in class, and surely helped us during WW2 study, but more likely, it addressed a gateway for us to explore the WW2. To expand my opinion, the trip itself is like a glance for Germany in WW2, and that's where I (personally) could start-up the learning towards WW2. Just have a think, it's cool to relate the places contained in the text or readings to the real place we visited in the tour, isn't? Therefore...I could also say that, the trip increases my interest towards history of WW2, in some extent."

Participants Feedback

A. Background reading: easy-to-read background materials requiring little prior knowledge of the culture to be visited.

B. Exploration Journal: site / museum-based games designed to engage students to become active observers; and the key learning values of the places will be further highlighted upon answer checking.

C. Exploring game: students explore the significance of a wide area of UNESCO cultural landscapes in groups with instructions and map.

D. DIY of local art & craft: medieval pewter figurine

Our proprietary pedagogic approach is what differentiate us from other service providers. In all our EduTours, students will be learning using various pedagogic approaches.

See more: Trip Support - Learning Optimization

Why Global Sapiens: Proprietary Pedagogic Approach

Mouseover to see the background reading sample

Why Germany?

Europe was fragmented after the Western Roman Empire was conquered in 476 by the Goths, a Germanic tribe. Charlemagne, the leader of another Germanic tribe, emerged as a stronger power and was crowned by the Pope in 800. The Holy Roman Empire slowly emerged in the following centuries but its feudal system kept it decentralized and politically fragmented.

With a belated unification in 1871, modern Germany caught up and became a world industrial power. It impressed the world with its areas such as music, science, literature and philosophy, but it also brought the world two devastating world wars, as well as learn about how Germany has faced its own mistakes of the past.

Alternative Programme:

Exposure to European Culture