Educational trip to Berlin – politics, history, and the future up close

From October 8 to October 11, we had the opportunity to travel to Berlin as part of an exciting educational trip. Together with our group, we were not only able to learn about key political institutions, but also visit historical sites that impressively demonstrated how closely the past and present are linked. The trip was rounded off by exciting discussions, excursions, and a few culinary highlights.

Federal Council & Bundestag – Experience politics up close

Right at the start, a visit to the Bundesrat was on the agenda. During a tour of the building, we were told how the federal states participate in the legislative process. Particularly interesting was the mix of historical architecture and modern politics.

A real highlight was the visit to the German Bundestag. After an informative lecture in the plenary hall, where the members of parliament usually debate, we went up to the dome of the Reichstag building. The view over Berlin was impressive and showed the place where democracy is lived in a whole new light.

In conversation with Catarina dos Santos

We also had the opportunity to meet Catarina dos Santos, member of the Bundestag, in person. In an open discussion, we were able to ask her many questions, ranging from political issues to her personal everyday life as a member of parliament. She took the time to answer our questions honestly, and it was an encounter that will remain in our memories for a long time to come.

Representation of North Rhine-Westphalia / Politics between state and federal government

A visit to the North Rhine-Westphalia State Representation was also on the agenda. Dr. Roßbach gave us exciting insights into his work and explained how North Rhine-Westphalia is represented at the federal level. Afterwards, we were invited to lunch together, which was a welcome opportunity to end the day in a relaxed atmosphere.

Topography of Terror & Berlin Wall 

A particularly impressive moment was our visit to the Topography of Terror documentation center. At this historic site, which was once the headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS, we learned about the Nazi era and the crimes committed by the National Socialists. The exhibition was powerful and showed how important the culture of remembrance is for our democracy.

Immediately afterwards, we also visited the Berlin Wall, a symbol of German division that still has an impact today.

Futurium & City Tour / A glimpse into the future and across the city

After so much history, we also looked toward the future: at Futurium, the "House of Futures," we were able to interactively discover what our lives might look like in the coming decades, from technology and digitalization to the environment and society.

A city tour rounded off the program. We got to know many familiar, but also surprising sides of Berlin.

Evenings in small groups

The culinary aspect was not neglected either: in the evening, we tested a few trendy food spots in a small group, which are otherwise better known from social media. A successful conclusion after an intensive program and exciting discussions.

Conclusion

Our trip to Berlin was not only educational, but also moving and multifaceted. Politics, history, and the future—we were able to experience everything up close and take away many new impressions. Whether it was the Bundestag or the Berlin Wall, personal conversations or visions of the future, this trip showed us how important it is to actively engage with our society.