High school students from Thompson Falls spent spring break touring Central Europe acquiring a personal, first-hand experience of the role Nazis played in the region's history.

For 10 days, eight students embarked on an unparalleled adventure touring the Berlin Wall, Reichstag, Berliner Dom, Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the Jewish Memorial, Jewish Museum Berlin, Jewish Historical Institute, Palace on the Island, Chopin Park, Old Town Warsaw and the Barbican, Auschwitz and Birkenau (Auschwitz II) Memorial and Museum.

The trip was described as an emotional and subdued experience. Students commented that they have a better understanding of the degree of abhorrence and suffering that took place during WWII. Danice Toyias, Thompson Falls High School history teacher, commented that it's "difficult for students to understand the true extent of what happened to the Jews during WWII in a classroom."

Students agree with this statement, recognizing the overflow of compassionate feelings never felt when reading a book, or during class lecture.

"It was somber and heavy," commented Whitney Micklon, addressing her visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau.

Not only did students get a lesson in history, they also gained knowledge in other life skills. The trip exposed students to several different languages, monetary conversions, traveling via airplane and train, and making their way through foreign city centers.

Student Joe Dudek stated, "I enjoyed traveling and experiencing different perspectives and how unique people's cultures are from country to country."

"Not only was the journey a great way to experience foreign places, but it was also a personal journey for the students as they learned a great deal about themselves, and gained new levels of self-confidence and understanding," Toyias said. "The trip was truly one experiences once in a lifetime."