Snapshot
Dates
| Term | Application Deadline | Confirmation Deadline | Program Start | Program End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2027 | February 1, 2027 | February 14, 2027 | Tentative - May 23 2027 | Tentative - June 6, 2027 |
About the Program
Program Highlights
Analyze and interpret historical narratives related to Jewish communities and the Holocaust
Engage in hands-on research by visiting historical sites, examining archival materials, and conducting fieldwork
Compare and contrast historical memory and cultural perspectives between their own backgrounds and those of local communities
Assess the impact of genocide, war, and displacement on global societies and reflect on their own roles in addressing these issues
Evaluate the ethical responsibilities of historical remembrance, commemoration, and human rights advocacy
Program Overview
A 9-day immersive field study in Poland provides students with firsthand exposure to key Holocaust sites, former Jewish communities, and Roma history. Through site visits, guided tours, expert lectures, and community engagement, students will deepen their understanding of genocide studies and historical memory.
Academics
Prerequisites:
- 2.0 GPA
- Students may participate in study abroad anytime after freshman year (or completing 24 college credits post completion of high school). Note: Students may apply to a program during freshman year but must have completed freshman year in good standing to participate in the program.
Jews & Poles: Entangled Lives, Cultures, and Memories in 20th Century Poland, ILSA 3575, 4 credits
This study abroad program provides a rigorous academic experience, combining pre-trip online coursework, formal instruction, and informal experiential learning. The program will equip students with essential historical knowledge and investigative methodologies, ensuring a deep understanding of Jewish life in Poland, the Holocaust, and genocide research.
This course is approved to count for:
Liberal Education: Global Perspectives
Cost Information
Use this cost estimate to help calculate expenses and budget for your study abroad program. This includes all program fees billed to your UMD student account and necessary out-of-pocket expenses. Please note that cost estimates and fees may change depending on international economic factors. We will post final fees once enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined in order to provide the most accurate pricing. We strive to post final fees by October 1 for Winter and Spring programs, March 1 for May/Summer programs, and May 1 for Fall and Academic Year programs. This cost does not include the $50 application fee.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Scholarships are Available!
- Financial aid applies! Share the cost estimate with One Stop Student Services to understand how your financial aid can contribute to your study abroad program.
- Note: Credits taken on study abroad programs cannot be used toward the Bulldog Bundle.
Travel Documents
Get a passport right on campus! Processing times vary, but it can take several weeks to a few months to receive one. If you already have a passport, make sure its expiration date goes at least 6 months beyond the end date of your program so it's valid the entire time you're abroad.
Contact
Program Instructors
Natalie Belsky, PhD, is an Associate Professor of History in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She received her doctorate in Russian history from the University of Chicago in 2014. Her current project focuses on internal population displacement in the Soviet Union during the Second World War. Dr. Belsky’s research interests include migration, minority politics in the USSR, Soviet citizenship, and East European Jewish history and she has conducted research in Russia, Kazakhstan, Israel and the United States. Dr. Belsky has taught courses on modern Europe, Russian history, modern Jewish history and world history.
UMD College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Dept. of History
ABAH 261
218-726-7548
[email protected]
Joseph Eggers, PhD, is the Interim Director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, a role he has held since 2022. Joe has extensive international experience, including organizing and hosting an international graduate student workshop in Barcelona in the summer of 2023, and a UMN undergraduate study-abroad course to Rwanda in 2024. Joe has facilitated educator workshops across the United States and abroad and has worked closely with communities impacted by mass violence, strengthening their relationships with the University of Minnesota.
UMTC College of Liberal Arts
Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Social Sciences 214 (UMTC)
612-626-2617
[email protected]
Study Abroad Instructor-Led Program Coordinator
Apply
Before you click on the "Start my application" button below, make sure you know how to identify the correct program by searching for the:
- Program Name: UMD - Instructor-Led: Jews & Poles: Entangled Lives, Cultures, and Memories in 20th Century Poland - May Session;
and the - Term (e.g. May 2027)
A $50 non-refundable application fee will be billed to your One Stop account upon submission of an application.
After you apply
- After approximately 20 minutes, you will see checklist items for you to complete.
- All application checklist items need to be submitted by the application deadline which is noted near the top of the page.
- Your UMD Program Contact will review your application materials.
- You must complete the Confirmation of Participation form to confirm your participation.
- Once we receive your confirmation, your UMD account will be billed a confirmation deposit.
If you decide you cannot participate, you must log in to the online application system and submit the "Cancellation Request form."
Program health and safety information
is available at GO SAFE.
