Politics Students Take on Berlin
In early June, Politics A Level students had the incredible opportunity to visit Berlin, a city full of rich history, culture and, of course, politics.
6.1 students, Emily P and Kundai K wrote this report.
Although our trip got off to a slightly chaotic start after our luggage was delayed, it certainly didn’t dampen the experience. If anything, it brought us closer together as a group and by the end of the week it had become one of those funny stories that we’ll always remember.
Throughout our visit, we explored many historical sites, visited important political institutions and learnt about the events that have shaped Germany into the country it is today. The trip was both educational and enjoyable and throughout the week we not only gained a greater understanding of politics and history, but also created memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Walking Tour
Our first full day in Berlin began with the walking tour. This was the first activity of our amazing week. This was a great introduction to Berlin and some of the landmarks that we would stumble upon during our stay here. Some of the landmarks we saw included the Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and more! It was an amazing opportunity to be able to see the places that we had only ever spoken about. It was fascinating to see the way Berlin has preserved so much of its history while continuing to grow into such a modern city. Seeing these places in real life made us feel much more connected to the history behind them and helped us appreciate the significance of each landmark. Being surrounded by so many historic landmarks made us realise just how much Berlin has witnessed over the last century.
Topography of Terror
Later on in the day, we visited the Topography of Terror Museum. The museum is an outdoor and indoor history museum in Berlin. It is located on the former grounds of the Gestapo and SS headquarters. We visited the museum to learn more about the rise of Nazi Germany and the impact it had on millions of people’s lives. We learnt in depth about the rise of the Nazis, the types of terror used and the mass murders that occurred. This workshop encouraged us to really think about the past tough experiences that people had to endure during these times and really gave us time to reflect and sympathise with those who suffered. Additionally, this visit really showed us just how fortunate we really are and helped us appreciate the place in life that we are in now.
Bundestag
Next, we visited the Bundestag. The Bundestag is the federal parliament and primary legislative body of Germany (just like the House of Commons in the UK!). As politics students visiting the Bundestag was enriching. It was great to see how another political institution works in comparison to our own. We learnt in great depth how the Bundestag works. After the tour, we had the opportunity to go up to the Reichstag dome, which gave us incredible panoramic view across Berlin. Being able to stand inside one of Germany’s most important political buildings was one of the highlights of the trip.
Cold War Bike Tour
We then explored Berlin by bike, which was by far one of the most enjoyable activities. We had a great guide who was nice energetic and informative! As we cycled, we passed the remains of various historical sites that were present during the Cold War. Seeing these places in person gave us a much better understanding of what life was like in Berlin during the Cold War and helped us appreciate the city’s journey from division to reunification.
Stasi Prison
One visit that left a lasting impression on all of us was the visit to the Stasi Prison. We had a real-life prisoner who had been imprisoned there during the time the prison was operating under the East German communist regime giving us a tour of the prison including his actual prison cell and other areas of the prison. Hearing his firsthand experiences made the visit incredibly powerful and emotional as we were listening to someone who had lived through the events we had been learning about. It gave us a realistic insight into life under the regime and reminded us that politics does not just shape countries it affects the lives of ordinary people.
Bundestrat
The Bundestrat is the legislative branch in Germany which represents the 16 federal states at a national level. We got to have a tour which was very educational and politically engaging. Our tour guide explained similarities and differences between the UK’s political system and Germany’s political system which was very useful to know. Whilst on the tour, we learnt more about how regions represented proportionally which was incredibly interesting as it’s so different from the UK.
Olympiastadion Berlin
The Olympic Stadium (Olympiastadion Berlin) in Berlin was used to hold the 1936 Olympics. The tour was so fun, and we got to see where some real players came for various matches and where huge live performances took place. We learnt that during the Olympics, the record attendance was thought to be over 100,000, it was crazy to imagine this amount of people there! The history of the building and its relation to Nazi Germany was particularly interesting. Our tour guide described the story of Jesse Owens who won for Olympic gold medals in 1936, and these victories directly challenged Hitler’s propaganda.
Political art sheet tour and workshop
On the Saturday, we went on a political street art tour and workshop. In this we learnt about the difference between graffiti and street art. Our tour guide showed us different types of popular art within the city which we started to recognise as we went along. After the tour, we participated in a workshop making our own street art. We all used spray paint to colour background and use different textures to create our own patterns. We had cut out stencils of our choices and used these to create our art. This was a great experience and gave us the opportunity to discover something totally new and exciting.
Lake Swim
After street art workshop, we went for a lake swim. This was amazing! The water was 22°C, a little chilly but warm once you were in. It was such a fun activity that everyone got involved in. Saturday was the hottest day when we were there, so it was very refreshing. It was great to swim in such a natural setting right near a big city!
Eastside Gallery
On our final day, we went to the Eastside Gallery. This is an open-air gallery on the longest surviving section of the Berlin wall. This was a poignant and visually stunning experience. As you walk along the Wall, you’re not just seeing murals, but you’re witnessing history brought to life through the eyes of over 100 artists. Each artwork tells a story which political changes of when the wall fell. The Fraternal Kiss was an iconic piece of artwork, and it was a powerful symbol of the complex political history between the Soviet Union and East Germany. Going to the east side Gallery made us realise how art can capture such intense political statements.
While our luggage might have needed a separate itinerary, our Berlin trip was amazing!!
As a whole group would like to thank Meir and Declan for organising such an incredible trip. Their hard work made the week possible and we’re extremely grateful for everything they did. We know deal dealing with us wasn’t always easy, but your patience and dedication made this trip truly unforgettable. We’re genuinely so grateful for everything! It is safe to say that Berlin is a trip that none of us will ever forget.
