"What Has the 2007 GYFHC Meant to You?"

"What Has the 2007 GYFHC Meant to You?"

Following ten days in Warsaw, Krakow, and Prague (including a two-day study program at Auschwitz), the student delegates of the 2007 People to People International (PTPI) Global Youth Forum Humanitarian Conference were asked to reflect on their time in these wonderful countries and to write a brief explanation of what the program has meant to them. Below are their responses…

“To me, the GYFHC is a trip that has completely changed my life. I came into this trip knowing it would affect my life but I never expected it to so drastically change me forever. This experience really made me look into my life. I learned from the different people how important simple acts of kindness can change someone’s life. I learned the importance of friendship and to never let go of important people. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the people I’ve met. They will forever be a part of my heart and I will always treasure these memories.”
-PTPI Delegate

“This GYFHC experience is impossible to explain, define, or relate to anyone that hasn’t been fortunate enough to experience it firsthand. The friendships made, stories shared, memories created, and lives touched will remain with me for the rest of my life. This conference has opened my eyes to the horrors of the past and how blessed I am to be here. I’ve met some truly amazing people and witnessed the effects that hatred can have on the world, even when it seems insignificant. My greatest hope is that the understanding and compassion doesn’t end here but is the beginning of a movement against the ignorance, prejudice, and apathy that plagues the world today.”
-PTPI Delegate

“The GYFHC has changed so many different portions of my life, I can not even fathom the way I will act and feel after this trip. I have not only made new friends, but have found a greater inner being in myself. For the first time in a very long time I have been able to experience things that my ancestors experienced. It also opened my mind to new ways of thinking. I feel that in many ways the people whom I have traveled with have changed me in ways that I can not describe. My time spent at Auschwitz was a time where I felt most connected to my friends and the leaders. I feel that I must mention a friend of mine. He has taught me so much, so for this I say ‘thank you.’ Many of my other friends were either there when I was down or they gave me a good laugh. I feel that this was the best of all GYFHC’s I’ve been on!”
-PTPI Delegate

“This GYFHC has taught me so much about life and has changed me forever. I truly understand for the first time in my life both how insignificant I am and also how much change I can create in the world if I put my mind to it. I feel that I am like an atom –practically nothing on its own, but when split or cracked it can be extremely powerful – and this GYFHC was the first crack in the wall that I have hidden behind for so many years. I thank God that I was able to attend this year’s GYFHC and that it was changed from Morocco to Poland and the Czech Republic.”
-PTPI Delegate

“To me, the GYFHC is a way of life. I sometimes wonder what my life would be like had I never gone on one of these trips. I don’t like what I imagine. I’ve realized through my travels with this program that people all generally yearn for the same things in life. We all want to experience love, have happiness, and see our friends and family live in a peaceful world. Although the details of how a person achieves these emotions differ, I believe that once they are achieved the feeling we have in our hearts is the same as the people standing next to us. I hope that one day the world is able to be at peace the way these trips have allowed me to be in my heart.”
-PTPI Delegate

“To reflect on these PTPI trips inevitably imparts to me a feeling of ineffable awe each time. Exceeding expectations isn’t the goal but is always the result and I am indubitably left with more knowledge about myself through other people. It isn’t the activities of the trip that causes veritable brilliance, but the undeniable connection between people to people. I thank you all.”

-PTPI Delegate

“Love, as I learned it, is effectively willing the true good of the beloved. This definition of love is the essence of this year’s GYFHC. This group was small so everyone really got to know each other over these two weeks. There were many times during the trip that the delegates performed the action that I believe is love. Whether it [was a delegate] giving his sandals to [another delegate] after hers broke at Auschwitz, or [a delegate] taking the time to find a complement for each person on the trip, or [delegates] gaining a bond that will last a lifetime, everyone on this trip has, whether they know it or not, has learned the true meaning of love. A four letter word: L-O-V-E, with an 8-word definition, is a lesson that 34 students and adults have learned and will last a lifetime. LOVE and its true definition is what PTPI’s GYFHC 2007 to Poland and the Czech Republic has meant to me.”
-PTPI Delegate


“Compassion. Kindness. Sincerity. Understanding one another. Understanding myself. These are the lessons I learned on this GYFHC and I will never forget them.”
-PTPI Delegate

“The renewal of the human spirit. I have heard of this clichéd event happening for many different people at many different times and places but I had never entirely believed it was possible until I came to Eastern Europe with the GYFHC. I saw it in two ways, the first of which was experiencing the exponential growth that Poland and the Czech Republic have enjoyed. These two countries have suffered from oppression for centuries, and faced human rights violations under Nazi and then Soviet rule. Yet even with the horrors of the Holocaust dominating their past, these nations have been able to move forward with creating a better future for their citizens. The advent of free-market capitalism can be seen in the cranes that are currently building skyscrapers in Warsaw and Prague. The future of Poland and the Czech Republic is bright and I look forward to visiting these countries in the future.
The second way that I have seen the renewal of the human spirit is through the experiences of my fellow delegates. Although I cannot go into detail about some of the things I learned out of respect for my fellow delegates, I am proud to know such courageous people who have endured so many hardships to get to where they are today. God bless and I wish you all the best of luck.”
-PTPI Delegate


“Even the smallest actions can change lives. Nobody is too small to make a difference. The one action that will validate humans for years to come is not the amount of money they have or the material possessions they amass; rather validation as a person will come from the amount you give back to others.”
-PTPI Delegate

“The amazing thing about the People to People International experience is not about the exotic places one goes and the beautiful things one sees. People to People International is about exactly what its name implies – people sharing, growing, learning and influencing other people. The experiences I’ve had on this trip have far surpassed any previous trips and any expectations I had. The individuals in this group are so diverse, yet surprisingly the same. They are the same in the sense that they want to help, understand and appreciate people. Because of the wonderful kids on this trip, I have been helped, understood and appreciated much more than I ever have in my life. It is for that reason that I will forever remember and will forever be indebted to the people from the GYFHC 2007.”
-PTPI Delegate


“This GYFHC Adventure has been the greatest experience in my life thus far. I was struggling with ADHD, friendship issues and some devastating events in my life. This all combined together and made life very difficult and lonely. On this trip, however, someone reached out and touched my hand and my heart and for the first time in nearly one and a half lonely years, I was included in a group and before long, my friendships spread, eventually encompassing all the GYFHC delegates. This experience was only made possible by the superb leadership of the delegation leaders who cared so much they enabled all GYFHC delegates to not only change the world, but to change ourselves. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Many people will walk in and out of your lives, but only friends will leave footprints on the heart.” For the first time, in a very long time, I am content and proud of who and what makes me, me. Thank you People to People and all the GYFHC delegates and staff!”
-PTPI Delegate


“Finding who I am has never been a simple task. I’ve made my way through many different groups, my likes and dislikes have changed, but one thing about myself never has: the passion and love that burns inside my heart when I make a difference in someone’s life. People to People International has enabled me to find individuals who share that interest. Every time I lend my hand out to someone in need or the love of someone else is extended to me, pieces of my heart seem to place together. I have come to the realization that I am not who I am because of my own doing. Every person in this world who has crossed my path has added on to my being, which means I will never truly find and settle with who I am. The more and more unique individuals from all around the world, with all different backgrounds and experiences, will continue to change who I am, as I will do to them. If one smile can change someone’s life, imagine what two can do. Then take it one step further and you can imagine that peace is not impossible. PTPI has made that perfectly clear to me. Now it is time for us to make it clear to the rest of the world.”
-PTPI Delegate


“As much as I love singer/songwriter John Mayer he couldn’t be more wrong when he wrote the lyrics “we’re waiting on the world to change.” We CAN’T wait, and this trip has made this so clear to me. How can we expect a change to happen in the world if everyone is “waiting for the world to change.” We have to be the change we want to see in our family, school, community, nation and the world. And honestly, we have been waiting long enough. This trip focused a lot on the Holocaust. The world knew what was happening in Europe and with Hitler and they just waited for the world to change. Now, our country, along with the countless others know what is going on in Iraq, Darfur, etc. and once again everyone is “waiting” for others to stop the violence. How long is our world going to wait? When is someone going to start that change? This trip has inspired at least me to stop “waiting” for the world to change…I know I want to and will make a change.”
-PTPI Delegate


“Over the last two weeks, this GYFHC has allowed me to see so many things. Mostly, that life is about decisions and actions. Also, that life is always worth the friendships we make or lose, the decisions that change our lives, and especially, is always worth that which we fight through. Spending time in Poland and the Czech Republic with every person here, as well as experiencing all that we have, has allowed me to come to understand these things about in general.
We are all so fortunate to have been on this journey. It has changed, in my opinion, each and every one of us in ways that others, and even ourselves, cannot fully understand. Experiences that change us so deeply are gifts that should be remembered for the rest of our lives and are meant to be shared and experienced by others as well.”
-PTPI Delegate


“It’s hard for me to write down what this trip means to me because words cannot even describe it. I have learned so much in these 12 days than I ever could have imagined. I never knew that a simple gesture, such as holding someone when they’re upset, can change their life. I thank all of you on this trip for changing my life and helping me discover the potential I have in making a difference in the world around me. I will remember this trip and these memories all of us have created forever.”
-PTPI Delegate

“What GYFHC means to me is knowing that no matter what I do or what I symbolize that people will always love me. When we were at Auschwitz and I gave my sandals to [another delegate] I didn’t give them to her to get attention from the leaders or Mary, I did it because that’s what the GYFHC stands for to me. It stands for doing something without being told or wondering what people will say about you or if all of your friends think you’re weird. It’s impossible for me to say what GYFHC means to me in a paragraph because everybody is my paragraph. There are no words to say it.”
-PTPI Delegate

“This GYFHC trip has made me realize that there are good people in the world. When I mean ‘good’ I simply mean those who care for others and are able to look past their own social spheres or levels of comfort. It has made me reflect upon my own little bubble back home. I now know how I’ve blocked people out of social circles or had fun at another person’s expense. Looking at the compassion of the other delegates on this trip has given me the desire to change certain habits that I thought of as harmless. I think I understand now that people are messy and chaotic entities of emotion and logic who simply want to feel cared for. Tough I don’t think I’ve solidified my beliefs as an individual yet, I do feel the need to do good in the world. I feel that this trip has given me a direction and a drive to not only control my anger that I feel for events like the Holocaust, but also the ability to translate this anger into clear, rational, practical but also caring and sympathetic solutions for the problems of the world.”
-PTPI Delegate

“The GYFHC to me is a new beginning. It means meeting new people, making new friends and meeting new kinds of personalities. At my school everyone knows me for what I acted like since Kindergarten, but at GYFHC I was able to get a new start and everyone knows me for what my personality is now. A big goal of GYFHC is that you get to meet new people – U.S. delegates & those of our host countries - who don’t know anything about you, so they don’t have an opinion about you until they meet you. I’ve learned I am capable with many personalities and can gain friendships through reaching out.”
-PTPI Delegate

“This year’s GYFHC is hard to explain in words alone. Our group meetings on the second to last night of the trip said more than I could ever squeeze into a single paragraph bounded by the limitations of our dictionary and written and I know that nobody outside of that meeting will be able to understand the emotions felt in that room. I felt the compassion that everyone felt for each other, for the value of human life, and the need for us to understand one another despite our many differences. I never realized the true meaning of love and how much a person can love another person, not in the sense of physical attraction, but rather the spiritual connecting and deep compassion toe be with each other and to act upon the same ideals than in any other instance in my life. I discovered the true meaning of the idea of compassion which made me realize that there is hope for us, as human beings, to achieve peaceful relationships as long as we continue to make such meaningful connection, change lives the way we have, and spread the heartfelt love for on another that was so contagious at this year’s GYFHC. I have found new friends, brothers, sisters, mentors who I have experienced as some of the most memorable feelings and connections that I will remember for the rest of my life. I will remember you all in everything I do until I die and I thank you all for changing my life permanently.”
-PTPI Delegate

“From being here at GYFHC I have learned so much. Not only have I reunited with old friends but I have also made several new friends and gained a better understanding of what it means to have a true friend.”
-PTPI Delegate

“Days go by, and slowly I begin to store all of my incredible memories, but then comes the summer, a time to unwind for most. But ever since 2002, summer is a time of discovery. Because of People to People I can share everything. This organization is so near to my heart, tears swell in my eyes and a frog occupies my throat whenever I look back on my memories. It has been something that I hold in my heart. I discover the world and embark on the adventure that is life, simply through my passport I can tell stories for hours. I let myself go on these journeys and the time flies... I can discover new states, new people, new emotions and myself all through these trips. I mainly don’t want to grow up because these experiences may become more distant to me. But I will never forget. This is a refreshing time that in a couple summers, I will no longer have the opportunity to do, but look at pictures and remind myself. And with tears in my soul, I intend to share that my strength comes from these programs, and I never want to leave, I will always be with the people I’ve met and the places I’ve seen.”
-PTPI Delegate

“This GYFHC has helped me find religion within myself. Growing up in a family with mixed religions, I never could really identify myself with any of them. In my early teenage years, I decided to be agnostic and didn’t really know what to believe. On this trip, I found a spiritual identity with Christianity and I feel more complete. I feel that without this trip I would not have found such a spiritual identity.”
-PTPI Delegate

“Well where do I start? There is so much that I learned about myself and everyone else on this trip. What I have learned about myself is that I don’t need to depend on other people to do things for me. I am more self-confident about myself. I also see people in a different way now from this time at GYF. Everyone can do some good things in their lives; they just have to find their inner self – which, for me, was hard. There are also a lot of things I liked about the people on this trip that made it worthwhile to go on. I will never regret this trip. If it could be longer I would want it that way. I want to see everyone some time sooner or later in life. I will always remember the summer of 2007 because of the people and all the good memories that I made. I love all of you.”
-PTPI Delegate

“I really was able to reflect on who I am and who I want to be. This trip took me out of normal life and helped me know who I want to be after this trip.”
-PTPI Delegate

“I learned who I am in a deeper sense than flesh and blood but in an emotional and mental way. I learned more about relationships and people in general which gave me a deeper understanding of myself. I also relearned that humor never fails.”
-PTPI Delegate

Back in the USA!

All delegates arrived safely in New York City at JFK and have either been picked up or are checked in for their afternoon flights home. There were many hugs and tears as everyone said their good-byes and went their separate ways. It's hard to believe our two weeks together and the GYFHC has come to an end. But we'll have our memories and our new friends for a long time to come...

En route to NYC

GYFHC delegates are onboard our trans-atlantic flight from Frankfurt to New York and are anticipating an on-time arrival.

In Frankfurt

We have left Prague & are safely in the Frankfurt airport awaiting the departure of our flight to New York.

GYFHC Closing Ceremonies

Today was our last day in Prague. As an end of trip reward we were given two hours of time to shop and explore this beautiful city on our own. Wandering through the quaint streets of Prague gave us the opportunity to truly experience the culture of Prague and the Czech Republic.
After our final lunch, we returned to the hotel in order to reflect on the past two weeks in the closing ceremonies. Closing ceremonies allowed the delegates to share their reflections written the day before. The thoughts shared by all allowed the delegation as a whole to understand why everyone attended the trip and what each will take out of their experience. All had an opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings and how they have each been affected by the experience.
For dinner, we headed out to the Czech countryside for a folklore dinner and dancing show. At frequent points during the dinner dancers came out to perform, performing different types of dances in traditional costume. In the end, most delegates chose to spend our final meal bonding with fellow delegates and trying to enjoy our last hours together.
The last day in Prague gave each of us a chance to reflect individually our experiences in Poland and the Czech Republic. Each person brought something different to the delegation and made the trip unique. Every single person in this delegation has affected me personally, whether they are aware of it or not. Without everyone attending this trip, the experience for me would not have been the same. More than anything else, the interactions with my fellow delegates and others that I have met during my travels have allowed me to fully understand not only the cultures of Poland and the Czech Republic but the cultures of everyone that I have met during these two weeks. Whether it was during a sweltering 7 hour train ride or meeting with Polish youth, the experiences have allowed me to understand more about people and human nature, while also teaching me more about myself as a person. The ability to go to Auschwitz allowed me to experience something that was so much bigger than me. Experiencing a small portion of the trials and tribulations that the people who suffered during the Holocaust went through, taught me a new perspective on the things that are currently going on in my life. I would like to thank everyone in this fantastic delegation and all the people we have met along the way for truly helping to change my life.

By Carolyn Hill

Open Mic

Our day started out with a walking tour of Prague. The tour was based on the Charles Bridge where we saw another beautiful view of the city. On the bridge many famous buildings were visible and our tour guide pointed them out to us. The tour guide also showed us the statues on the bridge and explained their significance to Prague.
After lunch and a short shopping break, our tour continued. The focus was on the Jewish community in Prague especially in the time of the ghettos. We started in a synagogue that was converted to a museum. There were many artifacts from the ghettos and information about the history of the Jewish culture in the Prague and the Czech Republic.
We then moved on to a memorial of those who perished during their time in the Jewish ghettos. The memorial was a large, bare building. On the walls were listed the names of all the Czechs who perished in the ghettos. It was moving to see all the names and it was a subtle reminder to us all of our visit to Auschwitz. Outside the memorial was a Jewish cemetery. Our guide explained many of the Jewish traditions of death and burial.
Our tour ended with a visit to two synagogues. The first was the oldest active synagogue in Europe. We then moved on to the Spanish/Moorish synagogue. Our tour guide explained the Moorish influence and pointed out the differences in the two synagogues.
We returned to the hotel and later in the evening we started the closing ceremonies for the trip with “Open Mic”. For those who have never attended the GYFs, Open Mic is an opportunity for all the delegates to share their experience(s) of the trip. We were asked some specific questions about activities on the trip and everyone was given the chance to put their two cents in. We often got off topic, but at some point during the evening every delegate had explained how our trip had effected their life and what they would take away from the experience.
For the first time on the trip, we received homework. Everyone seemed a little disappointed, but when Rod explained what it was, our opinions changed. We were asked to write anything from one sentence to a paragraph about the impact the GYFHC had on our lives. We all left in silence and found our own areas around the hotel to reflect and write. With this second to last day and the opportunity to share our emotions and reflect together on the trip, we the delegates have been able to grow even closer. We thought saying good-bye would be hard before, but after all the sharing today, it will be even more difficult.

By Maria Sewell

Meeting with a Prince

Today was our first full day in Prague. We were able to experience the city through an historical tram ride from the station Klamovka to Prazsky Hrad. It was a 50 year old wooden tram, equipped with our own personal accordion player, who played the Great American Classics “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “The Chicken Dance.” Looking outside the windows, we saw a city where new and old come together. There are small “mom and pop” stores right next to headquarters of major corporations like AstraZeneca and Canon. Ancient churches and monuments are scattered throughout Prague. We passed by the famous Charles Bridge, a 650-year-old stone bridge that was graced with the presence of Harry Potter ads and a Subway restaurant. Construction dots the landscape of this fast-growing city, with gigantic cranes towering over the skyline. This fast-paced renewal of post-Communist Prague, however, has brought out the darker side of modernization, made evident by never-ending murals of graffiti adorning Prague’s buildings.
At last we reach Prazsky Hrad, otherwise known as Prague Castle. Outside the castle, we waited entirely too long for people to exchange their money at awful rates. We walked by the Royal Garden, a beautiful arrangement of blooming flowers and entangling vines created in the 16th century. Within the walls of the castle, the dark, ornate spires of St. Vitus Cathedral stand tall against the bright blue sky. Started in the 10th century, construction of the cathedral was delayed by constant warfare and financial strains. It was not fully completed until 1929 and is comprised of styles from the Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque periods.
Prague Castle is still used today as the center of the Czech National Government. Mathias Gate, a beautiful entryway built in 1614, leads the way to the Presidential Complex. President Vaclav Klaus has his main offices within the sprawling complex, and the Ministry of Finance, among others, is located nearby. When President Klaus is at home in Prague, the Presidential Flag flies. This flag bears the coat of arms of the city of Prague and of the territories of Bohemia and Moravia.
The castle itself is situated on a hill that overlooks the entire city, with a gorgeous view as far as the eye can see. We can see a few skyscrapers throughout the city, and the cranes we saw earlier reveal the future locations of ever more modern structures. The windows of the castle were made in the Renaissance style, and actually have a storied history. In May 1618, two Catholic emissaries sent to visit with the Protestant King of Bohemia were thrown out of a window of the castle in what came to be known as the Defenestration of Prague. The two men were saved by landing in a pile of horse manure, but this event would be the immediate catalyst igniting the Thirty Years’ War, a brutal religious war between the Catholic and Protestant states of Europe whose ferocity would not be matched until the Two World Wars nearly three centuries later.
After lunch, we took a 45 minute bus ride to Melnik Castle. Prince Jiří Lobkowicz is the current owner of the castle, which had been taken from his family by the Communists in 1945, but was subsequently returned to him in 1992 following the fall of the Communist regime in what was then Czechoslovakia. The Prince is a member of the Order of Malta, a Catholic organization that is considered a sovereign entity and has observer status within the United Nations.
The Order conducts humanitarian efforts throughout the Czech Republic and the entire world. This includes providing spiritual support for families who have members with Alzheimer’s and providing handicapped children with transportation to nearby public schools. In addition, the organization has operations in Afghanistan and in regions that were affected by the December 2004 tsunamis in Southeast Asia. One of the interesting things about the organization, however, Today was our first full day in Prague. We were able to experience the city through an historical tram ride from the station Klamovka to Prazsky Hrad. It was a 50 year old wooden tram, equipped with our own personal accordion player, who played the Great American Classics “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “The Chicken Dance.” Looking outside the windows, we saw a city where new and old come together. There are small “mom and pop” stores right next to headquarters of major corporations like AstraZeneca and Canon. Ancient churches and monuments are scattered throughout Prague. We passed by the famous Charles Bridge, a 650-year-old stone bridge that was graced with the presence of Harry Potter ads and a Subway restaurant. Construction dots the landscape of this fast-growing city, with gigantic cranes towering over the skyline. This fast-paced renewal of post-Communist Prague, however, has brought out the darker side of modernization, made evident by never-ending murals of graffiti adorning Prague’s buildings.
At last we reach Prazsky Hrad, otherwise known as Prague Castle. Outside the castle, we waited entirely too long for people to exchange their money at awful rates. We walked by the Royal Garden, a beautiful arrangement of blooming flowers and entangling vines created in the 16th century. Within the walls of the castle, the dark, ornate spires of St. Vitus Cathedral stand tall against the bright blue sky. Started in the 10th century, construction of the cathedral was delayed by constant warfare and financial strains. It was not fully completed until 1929 and is comprised of styles from the Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque periods.
Prague Castle is still used today as the center of the Czech National Government. Mathias Gate, a beautiful entryway built in 1614, leads the way to the Presidential Complex. President Vaclav Klaus has his main offices within the sprawling complex, and the Ministry of Finance, among others, is located nearby. When President Klaus is at home in Prague, the Presidential Flag flies. This flag bears the coat of arms of the city of Prague and of the territories of Bohemia and Moravia.
The castle itself is situated on a hill that overlooks the entire city, with a gorgeous view as far as the eye can see. We can see a few skyscrapers throughout the city, and the cranes we saw earlier reveal the future locations of ever more modern structures. The windows of the castle were made in the Renaissance style, and actually have a storied history. In May 1618, two Catholic emissaries sent to visit with the Protestant King of Bohemia were thrown out of a window of the castle in what came to be known as the Defenestration of Prague. The two men were saved by landing in a pile of horse manure, but this event would be the immediate catalyst igniting the Thirty Years’ War, a brutal religious war between the Catholic and Protestant states of Europe whose ferocity would not be matched until the Two World Wars nearly three centuries later.
After lunch, we took a 45 minute bus ride to Melnik Castle. Prince Jiří Lobkowicz is the current owner of the castle, which had been taken from his family by the Communists in 1945, but was subsequently returned to him in 1992 following the fall of the Communist regime in what was then Czechoslovakia. The Prince is a member of the Order of Malta, a Catholic organization that is considered a sovereign entity and has observer status within the United Nations.
The Order conducts humanitarian efforts throughout the Czech Republic and the entire world. This includes providing spiritual support for families who have members with Alzheimer’s and providing handicapped children with transportation to nearby public schools. In addition, the organization has operations in Afghanistan and in regions that were affected by the December 2004 tsunamis in Southeast Asia. One of the interesting things about the organization, however, is that they adhere strictly to Catholic doctrine, although they don’t actively proselytize their religion. For example, the Order runs a maternity hospital in Palestine, but refuses to conduct abortions at the hospital. After learning about the Order, we were given a tour of the beautiful castle by none other than the Prince himself. The property was first built in the 9thCentury and was originally built of wood. Ownership of the castle was determined by the unification of two of the territory’s seven ruling clans. The castle was controlled by the Bohemian queens and princesses until the 15th century, but ownership continuously changed, especially during times of war. The current family took control of the castle in the 17th century, although they lost control during the Communist era. Overall, the day was one of the more exciting, albeit busy, days of our trip to Eastern Europe. We learned a great deal while getting to experience the sheer beauty of Prague during our first day in this elegant city. is that they adhere strictly to Catholic doctrine, although they don’t actively proselytize their religion. For example, the Order runs a maternity hospital in Palestine, but refuses to conduct abortions at the hospital.

After learning about the Order, we were given a tour of the beautiful castle by none other than the Prince himself. The property was first built in the 9thCentury and was originally built of wood. Ownership of the castle was determined by the unification of two of the territory’s seven ruling clans. The castle was controlled by the Bohemian queens and princesses until the 15th century, but ownership continuously changed, especially during times of war. The current family took control of the castle in the 17th century, although they lost control during the Communist era. Overall, the day was one of the more exciting, albeit busy, days of our trip to Eastern Europe. We learned a great deal while getting to experience the sheer beauty of Prague during our first day in this elegant city.

By Prateek Kumar and Sarah Buonacore

Seeing Prague on the Vltava River

After a very early morning departure, we left Krakow for Prague via train. After arriving in Prague, we were treated to a dinner boat tour of Prague on the Vltava River. It was a lovely evening & a beautiful way to see Prague on our first day here!

Polish Dancers

We thought you'd like to see a few pictures of the Polish dancing from Monday. Enjoy!

En route to Prague

All delegates are safely aboard our train to Prague. We greatly enjoyed our time in Poland, and will post more from Prague!

Birkenau

The endless roads of the Polish countryside led us back to the town of Oswiecim this morning. We arrived at Auschwitz and entered through the gates of Birkenau, our eyes heavy with the burden of yesterday's beautiful and terrible knowledge, switfly and sadly studied the barracks behind the barbed wire of intolerance. Some were empty and some were no longer standing. Others contained remnants of their former functions; triple-stacked children's beds and holes in stone once used as toilets. Several of the delegates remarked on their odd state of mind, on how it was so peculiar standing in the middle of a vast camp of death and seeing butterflies, wildflowers, and the sun in its quiet benign blue sky, shining hot upon our brows and backs, contrasted with the cool green grass beneath our feet. There was a contageous sadness that stirred among us. Our guide, Sebastian, began talking about irony; about how soap dishes were installed in the camp sinks while the prisoners were never given soap; about how one man survived in Birkenau for over a year and a half while upon his transfer to another camp, he perished over complications from a broken leg. After lending our ears to more survivors' stories and walking to and from the memorial site, we lunched and then attended a lecture given by a Polish historian. He said he wished us to see Auschwitz as a mirror; to see the humanity of the tragedy within its brick walls. "This crime was committed by people - by human beings," he said. Ninety-five percent of the six million people the country of Poland lost to the Holocaust were civilians. It was possibly only until that moment that some of us realized the depth of what took place where we stood over sixty years ago. "The floor we are walking on is filled with human suffering." It was more truth than we could ever hope to hold in our naive hands, let alone comprehend.

The day closed on a much lighter note. We watched and performed traditional Polish dances. It was a good way to end the day: happy to be with friends, amongst the beauty of Krakow and and grateful to be so free and alive.

-By Taylor Riley

Auschwitz, A Day of Remembrance

“Arbeit Macht Frei.” Work makes you free. These words passed over our heads as we entered the gates of Auschwitz. We walked along the rocky, dirty road where prisoners were herded like cattle 65 years ago. We stood in the largest of 9000 camps, where prisoners were subjected to hunger, thirst, punishments, medical experiments, torture and extermination. The dirt road is lined with rows of brick buildings that had different uses in the past. Hans Frank, Governor-General of Nazi-occupied Poland, voiced that “Jews are a race that must be totally exterminated,” and it is recorded that one million Jews were killed at Auschwitz. The tour guide gave us the approximated statistics that one million of the 1.5 million killed at Auschwitz were Jews and most of whom suffocated in the gas chambers immediately following their arrival.

We were led to a building that houses artifacts that were found during the liberation of Auschwitz by the Soviets on January 27, 1945. On the liberation day, only 7,500 prisoners were found, while 130,000 had evacuated prior to the Soviet invasion. Records state that approximately 232,000 children were deported to Auschwitz, although only 650 were liberated, and 450 were under 15 years old. The building contained two tons of human hair and seven tons were discovered during the liberation. The delegation viewed an obscene amount of glasses, crutches, false legs back and leg braces, pots, pans and suitcases that belonged to Auschwitz victims. The exhibit contained over 40,000 pairs of shoes. Original outfits of the prisoners were on display and marked with the prisoners’ numbers and a distinguishing mark to categorize each person as a Jew, homosexual, Jehovah’s Witness, Soviet prisoner of war, gypsy, antisocial, political prisoner or criminal.

We were informed of the average day of a prisoner that consisted of sleep until 4 or 5 in the morning, work and eating 1500-1700 calories. Some of the buildings’ interior walls were lined with pictures of prisoners, taken by the Nazis upon arrival, which displayed their names and information.

Many of the students were disgusted to learn that only 10% of those who participated in the administration of Auschwitz were charged with crimes against humanity. We passed by Block 10, which is a building characterized for its medical experiments. Some experiments consisted of sterilizing Jewish women, experimenting on twins and triplets, and attempting to alter eye color; most of these experiments were performed by the “Angel of Death”, Dr. Josef Mengele, the highest-ranking Nazi official to escape justice. We then entered Block 11, also known as the “Block of Death”, which housed the camp prison, starvation cells, and a suffocation cell called the “dark cell”. One record states that one day 39 prisoners were placed into the “dark cell”, and the following day only 19 remained alive.

The tour concluded with a walk through of the gas chamber and crematorium. With our silent steps, we entered the room where 2000 deportees were killed with the arrival of every train. During use of the chambers, the door would be locked and Cyclone B, a granulated gas, would be released into the chamber. After 15-20 minutes, the chamber was opened and the corpses were stripped of their gold teeth, hair and jewelry. Prisoners had to move the corpses through a door into the crematorium where the corpses were burned until they became ashes that were poured into the nearby rivers. Many students became numb with the realization of the horrors that took place at Auschwitz as they entered the same room that thousands of victims never exited.

- By Monica Colon

“All of us have studied the Holocaust in school but could not fully understand what happened prior to setting foot in the camp. Seeing the site of such atrocities makes us wonder how something like this could have gone on for so long. Having visited Auschwitz I, we have a greater understanding of George Santayana’s famous quote, ‘The one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again.’”

-Prateek Kumar

Our Day in Krakow

After a five hour bus ride we arrived at our next destination, Krakow, Poland. Once we arrived, we walked through the Old Town of Krakow to get to the restaurant for lunch. Our short walk through the Old Town showed us the drastic differences between Krakow and the city we just visited, Warsaw. While Warsaw has more skyscrapers, Krakow has a preserved medieval charm. Lunch gave us the opportunity to converse with three Polish students who had joined us from the nearby town of Gliwice – and who are part of the PTPI Gliwice Chapter. We discussed the various cultures and differences and discussed our interests.

After finishing lunch we walked to Wawel Hill on which the Royal Castle is located. The tapestries and sculptures in the castle dated back to the 17th Century. The tapestries were created off three major themes: mythology, the Bible and nature. The castle was designed by two Italian architects and it took 12 years to build. The castle served as Nazi headquarters during World War II. Afterwards we went to St. Mary’s Basilica in the main market square of Krakow. The Basilica serves as the highest point in all of Krakow. They blow the bugle every hour and have one of the largest bells in the world. The alter is opened and closed every day and depicts the three wise men, the resurrection and the twelve apostles with the Virgin Mary. The stained glass window is one of the oldest in Europe, as Krakow was spared during the bombings of WWII.

As the day wound down, we were given the chance to explore Old Town in Krakow and shop for souvenirs. After an enchanting visit in the Old Town, we got together in small delegation meetings to prepare for tomorrow’s start of our two day study tour of Auschwitz.

-By Carolyn Hill

Warsaw - Past and Present

Today, our delegation explored the turbulent history experienced by the Polish capital city of Warsaw. Warsaw history has been marked by conquest, destruction and perseverance. Our focus for the tour today was primarily visiting the old Jewish settlements and the area known as the "Jewish Ghetto" during the World War II occupation by Nazi Germany.

Our terrific guide, Anna, provided us with a wealth of information regarding Warsaw, but specifically, the plight of the Jews. The day began at the main square of the Jewish Ghetto, marked by a monument depicting the Jewish Uprising, an attempt to overthrow the Nazi control of Warsaw in 1943. Following our visit to the square, we spent time at the Jewish Institute. We watched a video depicting the invasion of the Nazis and the phasing out of civil liberties and rights for the Jewish living in Poland. Warsaw, for example, once was the home for the second largest population of Jewish citizens in the World, second only to New York City. Nearly 400,000 Jews lived in Warsaw at the start of World War II. Today, less than 150 are officially registered at the one remaining synagogue in town. The video we watched was quite graphic and depicted the horrible conditions they were expected to endure in the Ghetto. The video went into depth about how they were forced out of their homes and became victims of hunger, thirst and eventually, death. The time spent at the Jewish Institute left many of us breathless and disgusted by the actions taken against the Jews. Some students are worried that our upcoming visit to Auschwitz will be even more overwhelming. Luckily, we will have each other to lean on.

We visited the oldest synagogue and only one to survive World War II. The delegation also traveled to the only remaining portion of the wall that enclosed the Jewish Ghetto. The Jews were expected to pay for the construction of the wall and also made to build the wall themselves, segregating them from the rest of Warsaw. The wall was easily four times the height of an average person. We concluded our lessons on Jewish history by going to the Jewish Cemetery that was located inside the Ghetto and was partially destroyed because Hitler wanted to use the headstones from the graves to lay as the ground for a square bearing his name.

The morning was a moving experience and required us to relax a little bit. What better way to do this, than by going to lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe! After dining on a HUGE meal, we got some free time to do some shopping in the local mall. Some student delegates found bargains, while others were content just window shopping.

The favorite part of the day for many of the delegates was our dinner interaction with several Polish students. We drove into the countryside to a small restaurant/lodge where we were welcomed by a group of Polish students from around the Warsaw area. They offered us a traditional drink and fresh-baked bread, which was to be dipped in a salt. The lodge also served as an example of how a traditional farm would have operated. The group got a horse-drawn carriage ride around the grounds to a cookery area where we each cooked our own piece of Polish sausage over an open flame. This was then followed by a series of sporting competitions involving the American and Polish students. The games included milking a goat, churning butter, a 4-person ski relay, keg rolling with one foot and a tug-o-war. We then enjoyed a barbecue of meat and chicken, with Polish traditional foods such as potato pancakes. Throughout the evening, American and Polish students talked about popular television shows, music and hopes for their future. We learned that our lives are not that different, even though we are on different parts of the globe. The day concluded with the exchange of email addresses and warm goodbyes. We were all appreciative that the Polish students shared their culture and history with us.

By Monica Colon

Warsaw Humanitarian Project

This morning we had the chance to experience true Warsaw, and its natural beauty produced by its local people (and now People to People). The group was given the opportunity to put its own stamp on Warsaw today. We made our indelible mark by refurbishing and painting a fence outside a school here in Warsaw. This newly painted fence will now be enjoyed by current and future students attending the school.

First, we needed to remove several years of rust that had built up on this fence that surrounded the school. Once removed, a fresh coat of bright green paint was applied to the fence. As American students on their summer holiday, we hope our resilient effort will be recognized and appreciated. While painting the fence, one would have witnessed team work at its best. Our group dynamics allowed us to synchronize our efforts to resurrecting the old fence. We all felt good as we saw the progress of our work and the difference we were making.

Later this evening, we were accompanied by Ms. Mary Jean Eisenhower for a delectable feast of traditional Polish foods at a local restaurant. It was an intriguing 3 course meal accompanied by incredible conversation supplied by the students and leaders. It’s been interesting to experience the intellect and insights each delegate brings to the conversation. Our group is quite diverse – ranging from a free-market radical to strong-willed environmentalists, with everything else in-between. Our diversely opinionated group allows for some of the deepest conversations and makes you never want to make a trip to the bathroom, in fear that you will miss something.

The most important conversation of the day came at the close of the day with Ms. Eisenhower. She addressed all of the delegates, giving us some history behind the founding of People to People by her grandfather, President Eisenhower. She explained that his experience during World War II and his experience in the concentration camps led him to think of creating People to People. Ms. Eisenhower exuded her passion for her grandfather’s work and the subsequent mission that People to People stands for. While tour the death camps after the war, President Eisenhower made to sure to invite the press and take numerous pictures to ensure that the tragedy that took place at the hands of the Nazi’s would never be forgotten. His main fear was that some day, people would not believe the event of the Holocaust did not happen or could be repeated. Ms. Eisenhower concluded her remarks by sharing her favorite quote from her grandfather, “Humankind will always want peace and eventually world leaders will just have to give it to them.” Today was a great day from start to finish, as our delegation lived PTPI’s mission – “Peace through Understanding.”

By: AJ Rodrigues and Carolina Cadavid

First Day in Warsaw!

As we arrived to Warsaw, Poland, after a very long flight, we prepared for the activities of the day ahead. Our first activity was a brief tour of the Old Town of Warsaw, which included many historic buildings and a tour of the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace consisted of numerous rooms that were extravagantly decorated with paintings that depict historic events and many leaders of Poland.

After walking through the Royal Palace we ventured through the old city and stopped to eat lunch at a small restaurant. Once our meals were finished we continued our tour. One place that was particularly interesting was a large square that had been destroyed by the Nazi’s who had invaded Poland during World War II. Because of records taken prior to its destruction, the square was completely rebuilt to resemble what it had once been, a square consisting of colorful buildings that encompass a fountain of a mermaid which, according to legend, was said to defend Warsaw. After that we left the Old Town to see the walls that surround it and learned more about its history.

On our bus ride back to the hotel we saw several memorials and statues that represented important parts of Poland’s history. After learning more about history we ate dinner and headed to a conference room to meet with the local PTPI Warsaw Chapter and listened to presentations given by its members. Each presentation gave our group information about Poland’s history, economy, and just about anything else they felt we needed to know.

So far we cannot wait for the other activities coming up on the rest of our trip!

By: Madison Taylor

Safe in Warsaw

All GYFHC delegates have arrived safely in Warsaw! We are checked in to our hotel and are now out in the city for lunch and a city tour.

In Frankfurt

All GYFHC delegates have arrived safely in Frankfurt and we are waiting at our gate for our on time departure to Warsaw. Stay tuned!

Departure Day at JFK

All GYFHC delegates & leaders arrived at JFK airport in NYC and are waiting anxiously to depart for Poland (via Frankfort)! The flight is on time & we're ready to go! Meanwhile, we're having fun passing the time until we leave. We'll keep you updated when we are safely on the ground in Warsaw!

All Delegates are in NYC!

All GYFHC delegates have made it safe and sound to New York City! We have just finished up a great evening of icebreakers, introductions and orientation. We will go through some more detailed prep-work before we depart for Poland tomorrow afternoon...stay tuned for more exciting details of our adventure!

It is time...the 2007 GYFHC!

We invite you to join us on our journey through the magical cities of Warsaw, Krakow and Prague, including a moving two-day study program in Auschwitz. PTPI's President and CEO, Mary Jean Eisenhower, will be leading a delegation of approximately 30 students through these culturally and historically rich cities in Poland and the Czech Republic July 9 - 21, 2007 - come along for the ride!