Mauthausen by Miranda

Mauthausen by Miranda - December 2014 Scholarship Essay

I believe that one of the most impactful thing I have learned from my education led me to look at the world differently, and when in an interesting situation, it provided me a clear concept of what I want to do with my life. I am surprised by few things, and to be honest my sense of solemness surprised me. It was such a beautiful area, and everything about the day was perfect. The grass had been green, the sky a perfect blue, and butterflies flew amongst the wild flowers on the rolling hills. I knew humans were capable of terrible things, I knew what had happened there, but the irony of the beauty struck me hard.

I thought I knew what to expect when I heard we were going to Mauthausen… I had seen so many movies, and read so many books, studied for years in school, that even though I was aware of the horrors I would be able to remain composed. I was so wrong. The tour was really like one would expect, one of quiet explanation and silent reverie. If you ask anyone that has been to a concentration camp, their experiences sound much the same, and that is as it should be. It is sharp realization of what mankind can do to one another, and it makes you want to prevent it from happening again. Walking up the steep granite staircase of death, you can try, but you cannot really imagine how one so weak and starving could have climbed those same steps carrying a heavy load.

The actions of the people I had called my friends were what made me realize that I wanted to make a change no matter how hard. The kids in the group I was with...some of whom I had been friends with for many years acted without any decency. They were extremely disrespectful and it pains me to even remember. I thought to myself, how could one be so inconsiderate considering the location, the atmosphere. It dawned on me, it was not just them being disrespectful, but them trying to look cool, and impress the other people. I thought to myself how this was exactly why people 70 years ago did the horrific things they would not have done on their own. People have a huge influence on others, and what I saw that day was the first step of history repeating itself. I had learned from my education and study in History and the Holocaust that history can and will repeat itself if we do not make changes and are inconsiderate to other human beings. Humans need for acceptance will make people to anything. I knew after coming out from that day that what I wanted to do was make a change in whatever way I could. After that day my passion for history, psychology and people fueled my drive to do something.

I knew that I didn’t want this to be some bucket list item to check off...some experience to show my cultural awareness. This was a driving force for my want, nay my need to do something to help people that cannot help themselves. Even though small things, making people feel accepted and showing that gratification is not everything will make a big difference. After this I made changes in my plans, my education, and my goals to get me where I need to go so that I will be able to help more, and do something with my life without the only benefits going to me. My education not only helped me look with a broader mind, but helped me understand what life direction I will plan to take.