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Slavic Europe: Poland

Dates

June 7 – June 22, 2025

Cost

$2,895 + airfare
Scholarships & Financial Aid

Subjects

History, World War II & Holocaust Studies, Int’l Affairs, Soviet Studies, Teaching the Holocaust

Deadlines

Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 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.

Language Requirement: None. All courses are taught in English. 

Accommodations: Dorm/Hotel, 2 people per room. 

OrientationMandatory orientation on Saturday, April 12, 2025. See Orientation for more information.

Director: Dr. Adrian Mandzy

Courses

Courses are taught in English and are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1 course.

HIST 490-1 Topics: Battleground of Empires

Dr. Adrian Mandzy

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.

HIST 490-2 Topics: World War II and the Holocaust in Poland

Dr. Ken Slepyan

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.

HIST 590 Topics: Teaching the Holocaust (Graduate course)

Dr. Karen Petrone

This course is designed as continuing education 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. A special focus of the course will be to prepare teachers to fulfill Kentucky’s 2018 mandate to teach “about the Holocaust and other cases of genocide,” or to fulfill similar mandates in other states.

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

Auschwitz

To many, the Nazi Death Camps at Auschwitz embody the Holocaust. Auschwitz was the largest of the Nazi concentration camps and extermination centers. Over 1.1 million men, women, and children lost their lives in this place. Walking through this site provides a student with a glimpse into one of humanities worse atrocities.

What's Included

Program Cost: $2,895 + airfare

Earn up to 3 Credit Hours

Group Flight (Optional)

Airport Transfers in Poland

Accommodations

Breakfast

Groups Excursions & Transport

Program Director & Faculty
on-site 24/7

Security Evacuation Protection

Medical Insurance

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of obtaining a passport ($165), two meals per day + personal expenses (approx. $200-$500 depending on your food tastes/spending habits), any class readings/materials, and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Group Flight

Estimated Cost:  $1,800 – $1,900

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.

Student Voices

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Description

Dates

June 7 – June 22, 2025

Cost

$2,895 + airfare
Scholarships & Financial Aid

Subjects

History, World War II & Holocaust Studies, Int’l Affairs, Soviet Studies, Teaching the Holocaust

Deadlines

Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 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.

Language Requirement: None. All courses are taught in English. 

Accommodations: Dorm/Hotel, 2 people per room. 

OrientationMandatory orientation on Saturday, April 12, 2025. See Orientation for more information.

Director: Dr. Adrian Mandzy

Courses

Courses are taught in English and are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1 course.

HIST 490-1 Topics: Battleground of Empires

Dr. Adrian Mandzy

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.

HIST 490-2 Topics: World War II and the Holocaust in Poland

Dr. Ken Slepyan

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.

HIST 590 Topics: Teaching the Holocaust (Graduate course)

Dr. Karen Petrone

This course is designed as continuing education 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. A special focus of the course will be to prepare teachers to fulfill Kentucky’s 2018 mandate to teach “about the Holocaust and other cases of genocide,” or to fulfill similar mandates in other states.

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

Auschwitz

To many, the Nazi Death Camps at Auschwitz embody the Holocaust. Auschwitz was the largest of the Nazi concentration camps and extermination centers. Over 1.1 million men, women, and children lost their lives in this place. Walking through this site provides a student with a glimpse into one of humanities worse atrocities.

What's Included

Program Cost: $2,895 + airfare

Earn up to 3 Credit Hours

Group Flight (Optional)

Airport Transfers in Poland

Accommodations

Breakfast

Groups Excursions & Transport

Program Director & Faculty
on-site 24/7

Security Evacuation Protection

Medical Insurance

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of obtaining a passport ($165), two meals per day + personal expenses (approx. $200-$500 depending on your food tastes/spending habits), any class readings/materials, and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Group Flight

Estimated Cost:  $1,800 – $1,900

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.

Student Voices

Related Posts

Take Your Education Further

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