Dates
May 22 - June 6, 2027Subjects
Global and Homeland Security, Criminology, International Affairs, History, Holocaust StudiesDeadlines
Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100Feb. 5: Regular Deadline
Program Overview
Based in Poland, the KIIS Slavic Europe program introduces students to the history and culture of Poland and Eastern Europe. Despite numerous wars and invasions, the modern capital city of Warsaw and the medieval city of Krakow have preserved their architectural and cultural heritage. Classes make use of local museums, cafes and national institutions. Students will visit castles and fortress ruins, and explore smaller towns & villages. All students will take part in a group excursion to the Nazi Death Camps at Auschwitz.
Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.
Program Director
My parents were refugees from Ukraine, and I was raised in a Ukrainian and Polish community, learning to speak both languages. I directed my first study abroad program in 1991. I have researched battlefield archaeology, historical memory, and public history. Through KIIS, I can share my academic expertise while students develop their own understanding of the past as they explore the historical landscapes that surround them.Dr. Adrian Mandzy
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Courses
Courses are taught in English and are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1 course.
This course examines international terrorism and violent extremism through historical, political, social, and cultural perspectives using Poland and Central Europe as a living classroom. Students will explore the evolution of terrorism and extremist movements, the conditions that contribute to radicalization, and the responses employed by governments, international organizations, and civil society to prevent and counter violent extremism.
This course focuses mainly on the peoples, histories and cultures of Slavic Europe with special emphasis on the Soviet and German occupations. The class combines traditional class activities with excursions to relevant places of interest in Eastern Europe and the surrounding countryside. Students are asked to critically examine their encounters with Slavic society. Includes an opportunity to present a paper at an international student conference.
This course explores how societies in Eastern Europe memorialize twentieth-century events, and especially wars. A society's museums and war memorials affect future military mobilization, define national and civic identity, and provide solace to the families of the fallen. This course examines issues of trauma, death, and memorialization in Eastern Europe generally, and in Krakow, Auschwitz, and Warsaw in particular.
Poland in World War II was the site of Nazi Germany’s most brutal occupation policies and the epicenter of its Holocaust against the Jews. Engaging with the history-rich environments of Krakow and Warsaw, we will examine life under German occupation, the relationship between war and genocide, the implementation and impact of the Holocaust, and the difficult moral choices people faced in whether to collaborate with or to resist a murderous occupation regime.
This course is designed for middle and high school teachers, for those preparing to be middle and high school teachers, and for graduate students in Education, History, English, Holocaust Studies, Museum Studies, and other related fields. It explores best practices in teaching about the Holocaust in 6-12 schools as well as in other public settings such as museums and universities.
All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.
Program Excursions
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Auschwitz
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Warsaw
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Krakow
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U.S. Embassy visit
Group Flight
ESTIMATED COST $1,850 – $1,950
The KIIS Slavic Europe program offers a group flight option where you can travel to/from your program location with other students and faculty. If you choose this option, KIIS will purchase a round-trip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The Slavic Europe group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.
If not selecting the group flight, you are responsible to purchase your individual flight ticket.
Flights from the USA to Warsaw, Poland are typically overnight flights, arriving the following morning. Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.