And so the end is near…
And I am quite saddened. Sure, I have one week left, but today definitely felt like the beginning of the end of this awesome summer opportunity.
Allow me to explain. Today was the last day that a group of educators from Yad Vashem in Israel spent in the Museum. They have a week in Poland left, but the lovely lady I share an office with, my tutor, who I called my boss, left with them, because they are her group. So today, we said our good byes. Hopefully, though, I will return next year (more on that at a later point).
Besides that, the lovely lady in the office neighboring mine is also going on vacation next week, and therefore, we had to say our good byes as well. She often came into my office, asking me for this or that translation (in fact, I will have one more before I leave).
But to top it all off, I had the absolute privilege to sit in during a meeting with the Museum’s director today. He discussed the development and growth of and the funding behind the Museum. However, at the end of this meeting, well, I had goosebumps. The way he spoke was very moving, but his motions made it that much more meaningful. At times, it almost seemed difficult for him to address the importance of our topic: ultimately, dissolving hatred in the world. He was not just some high and mighty power in this framework I work under, but an actual person who was genuinely concerned about what the Museum and what educators are meant to do and how they are supposed to teach the world, particularly the youth (and when he was talking about youth, I felt as though he was talking to me, although he doesn’t know me at all; I was probably the youngest in the room).
This was even more moving considering that he ended our meeting after the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Education in Poland rewarded two of the Museum’s employees (one of which is actually my “superboss” and another reason I received this awesome opportunity) the highest award given by the Ministry for their efforts in education. At this moment, it proved to me that such efforts to educate about the Holocaust are actually recognized. That they are incredibly important, in all reality. I was really proud and happy for my superboss, because from what I can tell, she deserves it. She has put in a lot of dedication and has a true passion for the teaching of this subject.
All in all, this is just further confirmation that I have found my path, despite the windiness of it. So yes, you can change your majors and your life plans or goals in college; most people do! Find what makes you happy. That is super important.
As for me, the Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Piotr Cywiński, (basically, but far more eloquently) said what I have come to know: “The Holocaust is a difficult thing to discuss, but it is important and must be done.”