For Undergraduate Students
2027 Study Tour to Germany and Poland
The Cohen Institute is pleased to announce our first student study tour! During Spring Break in March 2027, we will travel to Germany and Poland for a trip on the theme of “National Socialism and the Holocaust.” Our travels will be based out of Berlin (Germany) and Krakow (Poland), where students will learn on-site about the rise of Adolf Hitler, everyday life under Nazism, and the Holocaust. Amongst other sites, students will visit the 1936 Olympic Stadium, the House of the Wannsee Conference, and Auschwitz-Birkenau. We will also participate in cultural activities such as a local cooking class. This trip will be lead by Prof. Dana Smith and Dr. Kate Gibeault.
DATES OF TRAVEL: The dates of travel for this trip are Saturday, March 13, 2027 through Sunday, March 21, 2027. Van service will transport participants to/from campus and Boston Logan International Airport, and we will all take the same international flights together. Please note that participants must book their flights as part of our group flight reservation; students cannot fly independently to/from Europe.
COST: Thanks to the generosity of a donor, the program fees for this trip – which include shared accommodations in Europe, ground/rail transportation in Europe, group tours and activities, travel insurance, and more – will be covered by the Cohen Institute. Our group will also travel alongside a full-time travel director who will support travel logistics while we are abroad. Students selected to participate in the trip will be required to pay a total of $1,000 USD which will cover their international airfare and a few other small costs. Additionally, breakfast is included at our hotels each morning, but participants should be prepared to pay for all other meals and personal expenses.
PRE-DEPARTURE SESSIONS: Please note that there will be mandatory pre-departure sessions for all travelers in the spring leading up to the trip, which participants will need to attend.
APPLICATION PROCESS: In order to participate in the trip, students must submit an application for review by the trip leaders. Spaces are limited on this trip and we expect this to be a competitive application process. We strongly encourage applicants to take their time in crafting a thoughtful submission as we may not be able to accommodate all interested travelers. Any Keene State College student who has successfully completed at least one course in the Department of Holocaust and Genocide Studies is welcome to apply, with priority given to HGS majors/minors. Travelers must be at least 18 years of age and hold a current passport (valid for at least 6 months after the return date of our travel). The deadline to apply to join this trip is 5:00 pm ET on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Please note that this is a hard deadline; we cannot accept any applications after that time.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
-
How much walking will we be doing during our time in Europe? Quite a bit! In order to fully experience the cities we are visiting, we will be walking multiple miles each day as we visit different sites. On occasion, we will use public transportation or trains for longer distances. We will review the itinerary at the start of each day so you know what to pack for the day’s activities, but supportive walking shoes, an umbrella, and a jacket will be essential items to pack.
-
When will my participation fee be due? Students who are selected for participation in this trip will be required to pay an initial non-refundable and nontransferable deposit of $100 in September 2026 to secure their space in the trip. After that, three installment payments of $300 each will be due in November 2026, December 2026, and January 2027.
-
How much money should I plan to bring with me for meals and other expenses? Each traveler is likely to be unique in terms of how much you will want to be spending on food and other expenses while traveling. If you are a foodie, for example, you might decide to prioritize spending more money on nice meals while you are traveling. If you are someone who would rather spend money on souvenirs, you would want to plan for those expenses. The U.S. Department of State has a helpful per diem rate chart that might be useful as you estimate expenses. Our trip leaders are also happy to talk through this more during pre-departure sessions or privately.
-
Do I need a passport in order to apply to join this study tour? Yes, you do! At the time of application, you will be required to submit a scanned copy of your current valid passport. This means that you need to secure a passport (or renew one if it’s outdated) before applying. Please also note that international students will need to secure the appropriate visas to travel to Europe in advance of our travel. If you need support navigating passport or visa process, you are welcome to reach out to the KSC Office of Global Education.
-
Is this a credit-bearing study tour? This trip does not carry any academic credits in and of itself. Students who are interested in earning credit in association with this trip would need to enroll separately in an independent study or other course at HGS as part of their Spring 2027 schedule. Approval of such courses is at each department’s discretion. If you wish to earn academic credit as part of a course, you would need to enroll before the spring semester begins – this cannot be done after travel.
Funded Internships
The Cohen Institute offers at least two funded internship opportunities to undergraduate students every academic year. These internships are meant to provide professional experience while also supporting the Institute’s mission and work. Internships are typically established the spring prior to the academic year when they will take place. Internships have included a variety of roles such as: Education Intern, Videography and Media Intern, and Archives Intern.
Please note that all internships for 2025-2026 are currently filled.
Current and Past Undergraduate Interns
| Year(s) | Intern and Role |
|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | Olivia Casale, Videography and Media Intern |
| 2025-2026 | Jessica Dane, Education Intern - Youth Leadership Institute |
| 2023-2026 | Amarrah Gates, Archives Intern - Grubman Collection |
| Spring 2025 | Wren O’Brien, Writing and Publishing Intern |
| Fall 2024 | Julionna Martens, Videography and Media Intern |
| Spring 2024 | Nina Zienkiewicz, Writing and Publishing Intern |
Student Scholars
The Cohen Institute Student Scholar program offers undergraduate students a funded opportunity to collaborate with Keene State College faculty members in developing, promoting, and implementing research projects that are aligned with the Institute’s mission. The student scholar role may involve assisting a Cohen Institute Faculty Scholar or Specialist with various tasks necessary to see the research project through to completion.
Applicants should possess the academic and practical skills required to support the faculty scholar effectively. This program allows Keene State College students to work alongside college faculty and acquire advanced skills, practices, and professional research experience that may not be available in traditional classroom settings. Students who successfully fill this role will also receive recognition in any resulting publications or other works as a member of the research team.
Questions? KSC undergraduate students who are interested in learning more about this program are encouraged to reach out to the Assistant Director of Research.
Please note that the student scholar positions for 2026-2027 are currently filled.
| Year(s) | Student Scholar and Project |
|---|---|
| 2026-2027 | William Caron, Research for Prof. Caitlyn Parmelee (Cohen Institute Specialist) |
| Spring 2026 | Bugzy Richards, Research for Prof. Jonathan Gitelson (Cohen Institute Scholar) |
