LEAD Group 32 International Study/Travel Seminar
Poland
Friday, January 17
This morning, the group traveled by bus from Northern Slovakia to Kracow, Poland. Upon arriving, we had a little time in the Jewish Ghetto before lunch, with an afternoon presentation by the CDR (Centrum Doradztwa Rolniczego) Training Center staff. The major tasks of the Agricultural Advisory Centre include the improvement of the level of agricultural incomes, enhancement market competitiveness of agricultural holdings, supporting rural sustainable development and improvement of vocational skills of agricultural farmers and other rural inhabitants.
 A view of High Tatras Mountains within Poland as we traveled to Kracow, our destination for the day. |
 Speaker at the Centrum Doradztwa Rolniczego Training Center |
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 Some available parking on Kracow street |
 Building in Kracow with a cross in every window |
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 Kracow Ghetto |
 Jewish graveyard |
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Saturday, January 18
Audio clip of bugler in St. Mary's high tower
— 45 seconds – A musician plays a 5-note Polish anthem every hour, 4-times, once in each direction of the compass.
Our day started out with a walking tour of the Kościół Mariacki (St. Mary's Basilica) adjacent to the Main Market Square in Krakow followed by a 3 mile walking tour of Wawel Castle. We then traveled to Oskar Schindler's Factory - Historical Museum of the City of Krakow finishing up in the Jewish Ghetto District and a traditional Jewish dinner.
 Golden dome on the Wawel Castle |
 This bronze artwork's official title is "Eros Bendato" (Eros Bound) and is the work of Polish artist Igor Mitoraj. It sits on the Western edge of the Market Square. |
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 Church of St. Mary's |
 Nativity set in St. Mary's |
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 Touring Schindler Factory |
 Display within the Schindler Factory |
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 Poster displayed in Schindler Factory, which was a List of Polish Jews |
 Krakow street vendor food |
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 Street performer in Krakow |
 Another street performer |
Sunday, January 19
Audio interview with Mackenzie Johnston,
LEAD 32 Fellow — 2 minutes
Audio interview with Steve Stroup,
LEAD 32 Fellow — 2 ¾ minutes
YouTube video of Wielicska, Poland Salt Mine Tour
— 2 ¼ minutes
Quotes from several LEAD Fellows after their visit of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
"All of us have these events in our lives that make a lasting impression. Visiting the extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau will be one those life events for me." Steve Stroup
"A pretty heavy day after touring Auschwitz-Birkenau and seeing what a man in power with strong hate can be capable of." Alyssa Smola
"I realize how important it is for us in the agriculture industry in America on how we need to continue to excel in agriculture. we need to produce more, basically stay focused on feeding the world, because the world is going to rely on us in the coming years to feed them." Mackenzie Johnston
"You will never truly understand the emotional side of the concentration camp in Birkenau until you walk the roads and stand in the place where thousands died." Justin Troudt
"It was a pretty heavy scene walking around those grounds and trying to understand how somebody could do this to people and how he can have the leadership to empower those underneath to have the same view he did and torture people like that. Without walking around and seeing it first hand, it's really tough to comprehend but it's one of those things I'm glad I saw." Matt Boos
 Auschwitz Gate at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum |
 Auschwitz Oven |
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 Camp warning sign |
 Electrified fence at Birkenau |
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 Death camp railrway car |
 End of the line at Birkenau |
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 Wielicska, Poland Salt Mine Dog Sled |
 Salt King |
Monday, January 20
The group boarded the bus this morning after our final night in Krakow. The first stop was for a lecture by agricultural faculty members of the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow. The university faculty and staff provided information on their various schools of study within the university. AGH boasts 39,000 students in all levels of classes. The engineering schools include metals, electrical, mechanical, chemical and technology.
 A presentation at AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow |