Today, we journeyed home to our individual paths. There were many struggles to get there for some, accompanied by moments of anxiety, stress, and disbelief in failed systems—much like the history of the past 10 days. It was a journey that, at times, caused many of us to be deeply emotional as we came to the realities of the grounds we were standing on. But looking back, we have learned that it was never just about the final stop—it was all about the journey itself.
From our various starting points, we traveled thousands of miles and traversed hundreds more throughout Poland. Together, we walked over 179,982 steps, visited 6 cities, and participated in over 40 events curated by the amazing Classrooms Without Borders team.
It seems surreal to think that tomorrow we will wake up and not see the same faces at our amazingly delicious breakfasts, walk next to our seat partners, or share dinner with friends while the incredibly energetic teens sing and dance in the background. We won’t have to count off on the bus, dawn our whispers to channel 4, no wait, channel 6, no channel 4 , or perform a “tick check” before bed.
There were 85 of us—dedicated, lifelong learners—on this trip. We now embark on the next chapter of our personal educational journeys, eager to share our new-found knowledge. There is an excitement that this experience isn’t really over. We leave knowing that we are not alone in our quest to bring peace, acceptance, hope, and the promise to remember those who were murdered. We carry the understanding that every human life is precious and that we each contribute to making the world better. There are now 85 more people in the world committed to spreading this message and supporting one another.
We are profoundly grateful to the individuals and organizations whose funding and commitment to education made this journey a reality. Your belief in the mission of Classrooms Without Borders allows educators like us to grow, connect, and bring critical, empathy-building history back to our students. Thank you for investing in our growth and for making this life-changing experience a reality.
