Frances Flannery
South Plainfield High School, South Plainfield, New Jersey
2008 China Study Tour Participant
The Global Alliance Peace and Reconciliation Study tour in China was one of the most important professional experiences of my career. I have toured Holocaust sites in Europe and studied at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. The trip to China was as emotionally and intellectually powerful as the previous trips. The Japanese treatment of the Chinese is an essential, but often omitted, chapter in World War II history. I feel that I now have the knowledge and understanding of the events in China to be able to effectively add a new unit to my Genocide Studies course.
The group that I traveled with was diverse and interesting. The educational experiences that the tour leaders provided were invaluable. We met survivors whose stories broke my heart. We also met scholars who provided historical context. We visited museums and universities. The tour leaders also provided time for reflection and relaxation, as well as opportunities to gain cultural insights and do some shopping.
It was a physically and emotionally exhausting two weeks, but it was two of the best weeks of my life. I would strongly encourage anyone who teaches Genocide Studies, or who wants to teach the full story of World War II, to take the Global Alliance Peace and Reconciliation Study Tour.