Normandy Scholar Program on WWII

Testimonials from the Class of 2024

If you seek a meaningful adventure that will challenge you in every way imaginable, look no further than Normandy Scholars.  Guided by some of the country's best and most passionate historians, you and your classmates will sojourn together in the darkest hours of the 20th century. Amidst those darkest hours, you will wrestle with humanity’s best, worst, and all the gray that lies in between.  Each day you will grow closer to and more appreciative of the fellow truth-seekers surrounding you. You will begin to see the world through their eyes and thus, come to see it newly through your own. This journey, reading and writing intensive as it is, like any worthwhile adventure, should not be undertaken lightly. It will demand the best of you. The bargain is that should you heed the call, you will never be the same. In fairy tales, the treasure is often in the dragon’s den. . . the place hardest to reach and least desirable to look. It is the same with history - the most valuable stories are often difficult to face, and nuanced such that one must wrestle with them, ideally with the help of others. Transformative knowledge and relationships are at the core of Normandy Scholars. They are why no UT student interested in history, or humanity in general, should pass up a chance at this incredible opportunity to study World War Two. Not to mention, you will get to travel all over Europe interacting with the places you read about alongside friends with whom you share an irreplaceable bond. Not bad, eh?
--Raj Ramachandran, History

I applied to the Normandy Scholar Program because I was curious about World War II, and I wanted to hone my writing skills. The program exceeded my expectations.  The faculty are knowledgeable and fair, and their expertise will help you become a sharper writer, thinker and student.  The books you’ll read, the movies you’ll watch, and the sites you’ll visit will leave you with a nuanced understanding of World War II and its enduring impact in our lives.  I recommend the program to any student interested in World War II or seeking a transformative academic challenge.
--Scott Poole, Government

World War II was a topic that floated around my household growing up, but I never truly understood its weight and depth until the Normandy Scholar Program.  My grandpa, his siblings, and his mom were internees in the Japanese internment camp system in the Dutch East Indies during WWII.  The NSP pushed me to research this family history that previously existed in vague snippets of conversation from my childhood.  I worked with family artifacts and primary source materials to bring awareness to this hidden history for both my family and the program.  As a person, the NSP made me more aware of people’s individual histories, cultural memory, and the power of words to amass support.  I know the lessons I learned from the NSP will apply to every aspect of my life, especially with my career aspirations in government.  Learning about WWII would have been especially difficult without my fellow Normandy scholars.  The program fostered an atmosphere of support that was crucial when grappling with one of the most destructive, complex conflicts for a whole semester.  The bonds we formed were reinforced by nights writing essays, designing a museum exhibit, and talking over spades in rural France.  Overall, the Normandy Program deepened my understanding of people as a critical part of studying history.  The professors presented WWII as a highly personal history, alive with persisting questions about war ethics, individual choices, and survival techniques.  When we learned about U.S. military strategy, there was just as much emphasis on the paratrooper securing roadways for the upcoming invasion and the marine doing amphibious landing exercises preparing to fight on Peleliu.  Lessons about the concentration camp system were paired with memoirs and diaries from inmates detailing assigned jobs, systematic cruelties, and specific survival methods.  It is easy to view history retrospectively, generalizing groups and concluding its moral ideals without considering the people enduring the conflict. The NSP's people-focused approach to WWII was not limited to the classroom.  The heart of the NSP is the Normandy Scholars — including the lessons you learn from them during class discussions and the bonds you make that last far beyond a month in Europe.  I am forever grateful for this experience that has taught me, foremost, about individual people and the collective capabilities of humanity.
--Alayna Parlevliet, Plan II

The Normandy Scholar Program came to my attention as a high school senior applying to The University of Texas at Austin. Being able to participate in study abroad programs was one of my highest priorities while considering my options for university.  When I found the Normandy Scholar Program website, I decided to do everything I could to be a part of such an intellectually challenging but incredibly personally rewarding program—and it was the best part of my college career despite being the hardest.  The coursework encouraged students to think deeply and carefully, our professors nurtured our understanding of the world around us, both in the past and present, and the community of the students in the program created a support system I will always appreciate. Whether we were burning the midnight oil working on projects or writing papers, each student found a way to lift one another up. The payoff from all the work and learning is incredible and an experience you can only have once. After completing the coursework, exploring all the sites you’ve spent a semester studying becomes the trip of a lifetime, but you also get to know more about yourself.  Additionally, the bonds you forge with your fellow students are friendships you’ll have forever.  You’ll go from being nervous classmates who don’t know each other’s names to pulling each other out of quicksand.  I encourage anyone interested in this program to apply.  The Normandy Scholar Program is the best study abroad experience a student can have!
--Josefine Lin, History, LAH

In the summer following my experience with the Normandy Scholars Program, I have done nothing but talk about the Normandy Scholars Program. The trip was fantastic and having the opportunity to see places in Europe that many people don't think to seek out was amazing. Perhaps even life changing.  However, I would be remiss to forget what really made the program exceptional.  The people I met and got to know during the semester have become genuine friends.  From last minute study sessions on quizzes that never happened, steak dinners at movie nights, defending the “Normandy Table” from invaders, getting strange looks throughout the RLP when discussing the effects of Mein Kampf too loudly, countless hours of spades or dodging demon birds, my fellow Normandy Scholars were the highlight of the program.  Add on top of that, intensely intelligent professors and captivating coursework and you get the Normandy Scholars Program.  If you have even the slightest interest in WW2, history, foreign policy, culture, military, reading, making friends, watching movies or honestly, anything else, I cannot recommend the Normandy Scholars Program enough.  I even found myself enjoying writing a 30-page paper.  I applied looking for one last challenge to finish out my college experience and I found it in the Normandy Scholar Program.  It was challenging work that was not accomplished without occasional late nights and (admittedly) tears. But it was worth everyone. This program was the highlight of my college experience, and I loved every single second of it.
--Ava Craycroft, Radio-Television-Film

From an early age, I was taught that education is more than a gateway to opportunities; it’s a bridge to meaningful connections.  This lesson was first imparted to me by my late grandfather, who, despite growing up in the remote hills of Appalachia, pursued his unquenchable curiosity with such passion that he earned a PhD in History and Theology.  Our conversations frequently revolved around my academic aspirations and my burgeoning interest in historical narratives. Before he passed away, I excitedly shared my discovery of the Normandy Scholar Program with him, to which he responded with an enthusiastic, “You must pursue this.”  That encouragement propelled me to apply for the program, becoming a cherished topic of discussion between us during his final months.  The intellectual curiosity we shared was not only preserved but also invigorated through the vibrant classroom discussions and deep connections I formed with my cohort.  The true essence of the Normandy Scholars Program lies in the relationships it nurtures between students and professors. It fosters a unique sense of community and belonging, making it a space where you’ll find not just academic growth but also personal development.  As you navigate the program’s challenges, you’ll evolve into a more empathetic, critically-minded student, peer, writer, and historian.  This transformation will enrich every facet of your life, influencing how you engage with the world.  The Normandy Scholar Program offers an unparalleled experience, one that you won’t find in any other study abroad or academic cohort.  If you’re considering applying, take the leap—embrace the opportunity. It may very well become one of the most rewarding experiences of not only your undergraduate career, but of your life.
--Parker Aguilera, History, LAH

If you have read through some of the testimonials from my class and those prior, you will notice the common trend of the Normandy Scholar Program.  The program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity that offers uniquely thought-provoking classes, strong relationships with classmates and professors, and an unforgettable trip. I can confirm all of these things are true.  The one thing I find that is not touched on enough in the testimonials is the utility of the knowledge and experience gained from NSP.  This past summer, I did my internship in Investment Banking in Houston. Within a couple of weeks of my internship, what was scheduled for a 30-minute coffee chat turned into an hour-and-a-half conversation with an associate stemming from what I learned in this course and how those things are tied to, and parallel, current events. This associate became a friend in the office who was always open to helping me with my tasks. Upon completion of the internship, I realized I may want to give New York Investment Banking a shot. I had a string of calls set up to make the move to a different group, the first of six being with a Vice President. I began the chat professionally, asking about the nature of the industry and his background, but toward the end, I asked him about his interests. Music to my ears, he replied “History.”  This quickly turned into an argument about whether the Soviets would have won WWII without Allied support, and when I stated my position affirming this view, he responded “That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.”  The next day, I received a call for the job offer and a compliment from the hiring manager stating the VP had greatly enjoyed our conversation.  This program is worthwhile for the educational aspect and relationships built, but there is real value in professional development to be gained. You will become a better speaker and writer, and most importantly, a more nuanced person. You will be able to carry on conversations about a topic that many people, especially from older generations, are passionate about.
--Sammy Hamid, Finance

One of the most underrated and least mentioned aspects of the Normandy Scholars Program is its film viewings. Every week, you and your classmates will watch a movie together related (sometimes loosely) to World War II. Though it's just one aspect of this incredible program, it is comprehensive.  You’ll explore incredible films from diverse countries and perspectives which complement your studies. You can look forward to films that range from critically acclaimed classics like Casablanca to the more obscure or “artistic” such as Warsaw 44.  All these handpicked films have something to say. Some may make you cry, and some will certainly make you laugh, but they’ll all teach you a special history.  This program lets you take your Letterboxd reviews to the classroom. My favorite class sessions involved these film discussions guided by our professors. Simple questions like: “What did you like? What didn't you like?” turned into lively conversations and debates that put our extensive studies into perspective. The film viewings were a bonding experience. Few academic programs include watching movies together and enjoying free pizza. Afterward, our GroupMe chat was filled with memes and jokes about the films we watched. These even extended to the classroom where occasionally the professors also joined in. Moments like these stuck with me the most.  If you love history or are a movie nerd like me, I highly recommend you apply for the Normandy Scholars Program and come and see what it has in store for you.
--Andrew Abdulla, History

 

Read More: NSP Testimonials since 2005.