Thurso High School heads to Berlin

This four-day excursion aimed to deepen students’ understanding of European history, culture, and politics through immersive, real-world experiences. Its educational objectives were to: explore significant historical sites in Berlin; understand the impact of World War II and the Cold War on Germany and Europe; and foster cultural awareness and global citizenship among students.

The journey began with an overnight bus ride to Edinburgh, followed by an early morning flight to Berlin. Despite the long journey, students showed remarkable endurance and enthusiasm, spending the day exploring the city’s vibrant streets and historical landmarks, including the iconic East Side Gallery.

The second day was dedicated to Berlin’s profound historical sites. Students visited Checkpoint Charlie, a poignant reminder of the Cold War era, and the Topography of Terror museum, which provided a sobering look into the Nazi regime’s history. These visits offered invaluable insights into the events that shaped modern Europe.

On the third day, students delved into Berlin’s cultural landscape. They visited local markets, sampled traditional German cuisine, and toured the Reichstag building, gaining a deeper understanding of Germany’s political system. The opportunity to practice their German language skills and interact with locals added a personal touch to their learning experience.

The final day, as well as the long travel back to Thurso through the night, was reserved for reflection. Students shared their thoughts and experiences, discussing the impact of the trip on their understanding of history and culture. 

Overall, students gained a comprehensive understanding of Berlin’s historical significance and its role in shaping modern Europe. School trips such as these also help students develop resilience, independence, and teamwork skills through their shared experiences.

The trip was partially funded through two local wind farm funds with a £1,000 contribution from the Stroupster Wind Farm Community Fund and £1,000 contribution from the RWE Bad a Cheo Wind Farm Community Fund (Halkirk).

During the journey home, one of the Teachers gathered quotes from some of the participants:

• “I wouldn’t have been able to experience such an amazing city that was Berlin. I was able to take in its culture, be astounded by the amazing architecture of the Reichstag Building, appreciate the horrors that occurred in Berlin in WWII through exploring the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the Topography of terror.”
• “Going to Berlin was something that I have always wanted to do. I really enjoyed all the activities we did, with my favourite definitely being the spy museum as it was more interactive than expected, as well as being educational. The Berlin trip brought me closer to friends too, especially to those that I shared a room with. The sense of camaraderie only strengthened when we travelled as a group and listened to talks. During our free time, exploring Berlin gave us a choice in what we wanted to do; including choosing authentic German food. Overall, I would say that the trip is definitely something that I would recommend to others, as it was a great experience and an exciting time away.“
• “This was a really memorable trip, that was extremely enjoyable. I have always been interested in History and so to be able to not only learn more about these historical events but visit where they took place was so insightful. I loved this trip and was very grateful to be able to visit this bucket list city.”