Reflections Lessons from Auschwitz

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In February 2026, six students from St. Charles Sixth Form College were selected to participate in the Lessons from Auschwitz Project organised through the Holocaust Education Trust. All six students who are studying for their A Levels at St. Charles were excellent ambassadors for the College throughout all parts of the programme which includes an Orientation Seminar, a one day visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum and Follow-up Seminar to reflect on their visit and explore the contemporary relevance of the Holocaust. The six students selected Alyasar Al Sadi, Ehdaa Al Zaal, Aaliyah Omar, Gregorio Rosso (Year 13 final year students) and Mina Facouri and Melsha Kamara (Year 12 first year students) felt honoured to represent the College in this unique educational experience alongside approximately 200 other students from schools and colleges in the London South region.  They were accompanied by our staff member Katrina Nash.

“Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau was one of the most shocking and emotional experiences I have ever had. Learning about the Holocaust in school had always felt serious, but distant. It was something I understood through textbooks, photographs, and lessons, which made it easier to separate myself from the reality of it. However, being physically present at Auschwitz made the history feel immediate and real. Walking through the site where millions suffered and died was overwhelming, and I was surprised by how numb I felt at first. The shock of seeing it in real life made it difficult to process my emotions straight away. It was not just sadness, but a sense of disbelief that such events truly happened in this place.

The experience showed me how different it is to learn history passively compared to witnessing it directly. In a classroom, statistics and dates can feel abstract, but at Auschwitz those numbers became human. Seeing the buildings, the empty spaces, and the remains of the camp forced me to confront the reality of what I had been studying. It made me realise that the Holocaust was not just a topic for exams or coursework, but a tragedy that affected real people with lives, families, and futures. This change from academic learning to emotional understanding was one of the most powerful parts of the visit.

The trip also helped me reflect on my A Level History coursework question: Was Hitler fully to blame for the Holocaust? Before visiting Auschwitz, I had mainly formed my opinion through research and written sources. While these helped me understand the political and ideological background, they did not fully show how the Holocaust functioned in practice. Being there made it clear that the system required the involvement of many individuals. Guards, officials, and ordinary people all played roles in making the camps operate. This made me understand that although Adolf Hitler was responsible for creating the ideology and policies behind the Holocaust, he was not the only person accountable. The actions of many others were necessary for the Holocaust to happen on such a massive scale.

Overall, visiting Auschwitz changed my understanding of both the Holocaust and my own coursework on it. It turned something I had researched into something I could truly comprehend on a deeper level. The shock and numbness I felt showed how profound the experience was and how difficult it is to grasp such suffering fully. The visit answered my question by showing that the Holocaust was not caused by one man alone, but by a system supported by many people. This trip has stayed with me and has made me think more carefully about responsibility, human choices, and the importance of remembering history so that such events are never repeated."

“Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau was one of the heaviest and most emotional experiences of my life. Before going, I had studied the Holocaust in detail for my A Level History coursework, so I already knew the facts, the numbers, and the events. But seeing it in real life was completely different. Reading about it in books felt serious and upsetting, but walking through the actual place where it happened made everything feel heavier and more real. It no longer felt like something from the past; it felt close and human.

Walking through the gates was a moment I will never forget. I had seen pictures of them many times before, but stepping through them myself made me feel a mix of shock, sadness, and disbelief. It felt strange knowing that so many people had walked through those same gates without knowing what was going to happen to them. I remember feeling quiet and reflective, almost as if the air itself carried the weight of what had happened there. Seeing the piles of human hair affected me deeply. Knowing that it belonged to real people who had families, dreams, and normal lives before they were taken made it feel personal and disturbing in a way I cannot fully describe. It showed how the victims were stripped not only of their lives, but of their dignity. Standing there, I felt a strong sense of sadness but also responsibility, as if it was important for me to witness it and remember it.

The cold winter air made the experience even more powerful. Even though I was dressed warmly, I could feel how freezing it was, and I kept thinking about the prisoners who had thin clothing, little food, and no comfort. The cold made me imagine their suffering more clearly. It made me realise how excruciatingly harsh their daily lives must have been, and it made everything feel more serious and real. At the same time, the visit made me feel grateful to be living now, in a time where I have rights, safety, and opportunities. As I walked around the camp, I kept thinking about how different my life is compared to the lives of those who were imprisoned there. I felt thankful for my freedom, my education, and the ability to speak openly. It made me realise how precious these things are and how easily they can be lost if hatred and discrimination are allowed to grow.

Overall, visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau changed me. It took what I had learned in my coursework and gave it meaning beyond exams and grades. It made me more aware, more thoughtful, and more determined to stand against injustice. Most importantly, it left me with a strong sense of responsibility to remember what happened, to share what I learned, and to help make sure that future generations understand not only the facts, but the human impact, so that suffering on such a scale is never repeated.”

“Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum was one of the most powerful experiences of my Religious Education studies. Before visiting, I had learned about the Holocaust through lessons, books, and documentaries, but being physically present at the site made the reality of the events far more personal and emotional. Walking through the camp, seeing the barracks, and learning about the lives of the people who were imprisoned there made me realise that the Holocaust is not just a topic in history, but a tragedy that affected millions of real individuals and families. As an RE student, the visit helped me connect the academic themes we study with real human suffering and moral responsibility.

One of the most significant ways the visit helped me academically was by deepening my understanding of the problem of evil and suffering, which is a major topic in Religious Studies. In class we often discuss philosophical questions about why suffering exists and how religious believers respond to it. Standing in a place where such extreme suffering took place made these questions feel far more real and challenging. It made me realise that discussions about faith, evil and human nature are not just theoretical debates but attempts to understand events that have deeply affected humanity. The visit encouraged me to reflect on how different religious and philosophical perspectives try to respond to suffering and injustice in the world.

The experience also made me think more seriously about human responsibility and moral choices. Learning about the Holocaust shows how prejudice and discrimination can grow when people fail to challenge them. It made me realise that events like this do not happen suddenly; they develop over time through harmful ideas, discrimination, and the silence of those who could have spoken out. This made me reflect on the importance of standing up against injustice and treating others with respect and compassion. As an RE student studying ethics and moral decision-making, the visit helped me understand why these principles are so important in everyday life.

Personally, the visit will shape the way I see the world and how I interact with others. Seeing the consequences of hatred and discrimination made me more aware of the importance of empathy and understanding. It reminded me that every person has value and dignity, regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity. I feel that the experience has encouraged me to be more thoughtful about my attitudes and actions, and to challenge prejudice or unfair treatment when I encounter it. It also reminded me that remembering the past is important because it helps society learn from its mistakes.

Overall, visiting Auschwitz was both an educational and deeply reflective experience. It helped me see the topics studied in Religious Education—such as suffering, morality, and human responsibility—in a much more meaningful way. More importantly, it encouraged me to think about the kind of person I want to be in the future: someone who values compassion, respects others, and understands the importance of learning from history so that similar tragedies are less likely to happen again.”

 

“Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau transformed my understanding of the banality of evil from a theoretical concept into a physical confrontation. As a philosophy student, I have spent years debating whether human cruelty is predestined, an innate attraction to darkness or if it is designed by our environment. Standing amidst the ruins, the answer felt chillingly clear that this was not the work of monsters from a myth, but a meticulously engineered system that turned dehumanization into a daily routine.

The sight of the suitcases marked with names and the pots and pans used for specific dietary laws (Kosher) was particularly jarring. These were the artefacts of hope; they represented individuals who believed they were simply being relocated. Philosophically, this is where the "banality" lies. The perpetrators didn't just kill; they managed a logistics chain. Learning that human hair was taken from the women, to create clothing for soldiers is the ultimate evidence of a system that had successfully stripped away the "human" and replaced it with "raw material."

The most difficult sight to reconcile was the shoes of little boys. It makes the claims of Holocaust deniers feel like a secondary crime, an attempt to erase the physical truth that remains. It forces the question as to how could ordinary men go home to their families after a day of processing these shoes. This suggests that evil is not always a choice made in a vacuum, but a product of a system made to make you act without thinking of the consequences.

 My visit has shifted my focus from the "statistics of death" to the responsibility of the witness. I no longer see the Holocaust as a distant historical event, but as a warning of what happens when we allow our moral compass to be outsourced to a system. It is our duty to ensure that human impact is never lost to the coldness of facts and figures.”

“Visiting Auschwitz Birkenau left me with a profound and lasting understanding of the Holocaust, far beyond anything I had ever learned from books or lessons. Walking through the barracks, seeing the vastness of the camp, and standing on the railway tracks where countless people arrived made the history feel painfully real and deeply human. I didn’t “enjoy” the visit in the usual sense, but I found it incredibly meaningful. I appreciated learning from the guides, hearing individual stories, and having the space to reflect on how ordinary prejudice and hatred were allowed to grow into something unimaginably destructive. The experience gave me a stronger sense of empathy and a clearer awareness of the consequences of discrimination, reminding me how important it is to challenge injustice wherever it appears.”

 

“What affected me most was realising the contrast between my experience and theirs. I knew that at the end of the day, I could step back onto a bus, return to my life. But the people who were brought there didn’t have that choice. They couldn’t walk away. That thought sat with me the entire time of my trip, making everything feel even more real and heart-breaking.

Being there made me appreciate the things I usually take for granted—my freedom, my family, and the ability to make plans. It made me realise how lucky I am to live in a time and place where I can feel safe. It also reminded me how important it is to treat others with empathy, because the hatred and cruelty that once existed there didn’t appear all at once, it grew from intolerance and indifference.

Leaving the camp, I felt a mixture of sadness, gratitude, and responsibility. Sadness for the victims. Gratitude for the life I get to live. And a responsibility to remember what happened and to carry forward the lessons it teaches to appreciate the everyday things, to stand up against discrimination, and to never look away when people are treated unfairly. This trip changed the way I see the world, but it also changed the way I see my own life. And I think that’s something I’ll carry with me for a long time to come.”

 

“I had the privilege of accompanying six St Charles students on the Lessons from Auschwitz Project in February. This powerful programme explored the history of the Holocaust, encouraged reflection on the world we live in today, and deepened our understanding of the individuals whose lives were profoundly affected. Our visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland was guided by an experienced educator, Sarah, who supported us throughout the journey.

Prior to travelling, we attended an Orientation Seminar. A particularly moving highlight was the testimony of Holocaust survivor John Dobai Janos, born in 1934 in Budapest, Hungary. With clarity and warmth, he described his happy childhood before the rise of the Nazi regime, playing outdoors, sharing a love of sport with his father, and enjoying a strong sense of community. At that time, Jewish people in Hungary had equal rights and were active contributors to society.

However, this changed dramatically with the spread of Nazi influence. Antisemitic laws were introduced, restricting Jewish people’s rights and opportunities. John recalled a moment that deeply affected him when he was insulted by a classmate while out running an errand for his mother. He walked home in tears, marking a painful shift in how he was treated. As deportations began, many members of his family were murdered. John, along with his parents, survived only due to the intervention of a Swedish diplomat who issued them protective certificates.

John spoke about his reasons for sharing his story. He wants to honour the memory of those who were killed, not because of anything they had done, but simply because they were Jewish. He urged us to remember them and to ensure that people of all backgrounds can live side by side in peace. Despite everything he endured, his message was one of hope. He spoke of the love within his family and challenged us never to ignore antisemitism or prejudice when we encounter it.

His words were powerful with the message that we must stand together, recognise our shared humanity, and actively challenge hatred and discrimination. He reminded us that we are all part of one human race and must strive to live together with understanding and respect.

I had the opportunity to speak with John personally which is an experience I will never forget. When I mentioned that I am a performing arts teacher, he smiled and spoke fondly of his late wife, who was an artist. His warmth, positivity, and deep love for his family were evident. It was extraordinary to witness such optimism from someone who had experienced so much suffering. At 92 years old, his memory remains vivid, and his message is as relevant as ever.

Our visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau was more harrowing than any of us could have anticipated. Despite our preparation, nothing could truly prepare us for the reality of standing in a place where such atrocities occurred. It was an overwhelming and deeply emotional experience; made more personal by the stories of Jewish people we had studied beforehand. Throughout, Sarah supported us with sensitivity and care. The bleakness of the environment and freezing temperatures were a terrible reminder of what conditions would have been like for prisoners and as we got back into the warm coach, we were acutely aware that we were able to leave and go back to our lives in London.”

At the Follow-Up Seminar, I was incredibly proud of our St Charles students. Their reflections demonstrated maturity, empathy, and strength. They are a remarkable group who I know will carry forward John’s message, using their knowledge to educate others and to stand against prejudice. In John’s words, they will “go into the future with knowledge of what happened before" and "walk together for a better future. Thank you to Ms McHugh for organising the trip for us all and to Mina, Melsha, Aaliyah, Gregorio, Ehdaa and Alyasar for representing our college so well.”

The students will next complete a project of their choosing to disseminate the lessons they have learned to the College and wider community. Reading their deeply  insightful reflections above we are truly excited to see what their Next Stepps project will be!