Learning from the past: Study the Holocaust's impact abroad
Izzy Gimm - Website and Social Media Manager
Monmouth College’s psychology department’s upcoming study abroad opportunity for students sets off for Europe in May 2026. As part of a psychology-focused program, students will be studying the Holocaust and its impact on human behavior.
Led by Professors Ryan Colclasure and Joan Wertz, the 10-day educational experience will take students through Poland, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic from May 19 to May 28, 2026.
"This is an experience that the psychology department has offered repeatedly in the past," said Colclasure. "Touring Holocaust sites and having an immersive experience related to one of humanity's deepest crises and challenges presents students with a very salient glimpse into human suffering and striving alike."
The trip aims to offer a deeper understanding of the Holocaust through a psychological lens by visiting key historical locations, exploring firsthand the aftermath of one of the 20th century's most significant human tragedies.
The itinerary includes visits to former concentration and extermination camps, memorials, and museums. According to Wertz and Colclasure, students will be encouraged to reflect on the psychological factors involved in the Holocaust, including conformity, indoctrination, and the consequences of authoritarian systems.
"The focus of the Holocaust experience is to apply the field of psychology to better understand various impacts of the Holocaust and perspectives on surviving the death camps, violence, and the roles of social factors," said Colclasure.
Faculty emphasize that the trip is an academic exercise and a personal journey. Students will consider questions of human nature, moral responsibility, and the psychological resilience of individuals in extreme circumstances.
"Travel is the best way to get to know oneself," Colclasure added. "This experience in world history will afford students the opportunity to examine their assumptions about human nature and strength during extremely adverse situations and to see the extremes of what humans are capable of, right and wrong."
Due to international challenges, the program had paused in recent years. Travel disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022 causing a surge of refugees in Poland, forced the college to postpone or alter plans.
Students enrolled at Monmouth College who haven’t graduated by the time of travel may apply for need-based funding through the Collier Fund. Additional financial support may also be available.
More information about the program, including application details and deadlines, will be shared with students by the psychology department.
