When we first arrived at the visitor parking area for Dachau, everything felt very quiet. The site is surrounded by nature, which made the experience feel even more heavy because of what the place represents. Before we even entered, I knew I needed to be fully present and really listen to our guide, since this was such a serious part of the trip.
As we walked into the memorial site, I was struck by how large the area is. The space is open and stretches far, with remaining buildings spread throughout the grounds. There are also modern buildings nearby, which made it harder to separate the present from the past. Even though there were other visitors, the silence felt noticeable and added to the seriousness of the site.
Our guide helped us understand what we were seeing in a very thoughtful way. He did not rush through the history and gave us time to take everything in. One thing that stood out to me was learning how survivors and victims have continued to stay involved in preserving the memory of Dachau. Our guide explained how they helped create and maintain memorials on the site, and how they return for commemorations, including lunches and gatherings that used to happen regularly before COVID. Hearing this made it clear that this is not just a historical site, but also a place where people continue to remember and honor those who suffered here.
We also learned that Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp and became a model for many others that followed. It was also connected to forced labor, including ties to major German companies. Learning this made me think differently about the companies we have visited this week. It raised questions for me about how industries can be connected to difficult histories and how those connections are remembered or acknowledged today.
Being at Dachau in the middle of a trip focused on German industry and innovation made me reflect a lot. As a student, it reminded me to stay aware and to think critically about history, even when it is uncomfortable. As someone who wants to go into business, it made me think about responsibility and how important it is for companies to understand and acknowledge their past. As a human being, it reminded me of the importance of respect, empathy, and remembering people who were impacted by systems of violence and power.
Dachau is not something I will forget from this trip. It was a difficult place to visit, but an important one, and it changed the way I am thinking about everything else we have experienced this week.