How did Germany and the Soviet Union break Poland militarily and politically in less than a month? Could Poland have survived this onslaught? What was it like to be a civilian in a collapsing state? A Staff Ride tackles questions like these by asking students to inhabit and present the viewpoints of significant figures in history’s most important military campaigns. By presenting a diverse perspective of events, we will develop nuanced views of the strategy, leadership, and decision-making that changed motivated history and which continue to inform today’s engagements.
In March of 2016, students and faculty from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will travel to Germany and Poland to study the leadup to, the conduct of, and aftermath of Germany and the USSR’s 1939 invasion of Poland. Starting with the 1938 Munich Agreement, we will trace the immense political and military pressures that Germany and the Soviet Union placed on Poland and its western allies.
We will explore a troubling history of diplomatic concessions, military failures, and ethnic conflict as Poland fights for its existence. Join us as we see first hand how a total war starts--and experience the chilling reminders of its terrible cost.
ISR will occur during SAIS Spring Break. Participants will depart from Washington, DC on March 11, 2016. The Staff Ride will conclude on March 17, 2016. Participants will have the option to return on March 18th or at a later date.
We will begin in Berlin, where we will discuss the state of pre-war Europe and the buildup to the invasion of Poland. Moving to Gdansk, we will experience the opening salvos of the campaign. As we move towards Warsaw, we will trace the multi-pronged invasion from all directions. We will then end in Warsaw discussing the siege that squeezed the government and led to the occupation of Poland.
Students are required to contribute approximately $500. This is a highly subsidized rate and will help to cover all general expenses, including airfare, accommodations, and meals. Students who choose to return at the later date will have to cover their own expenses after March 18. If students choose to return at a later date, return airfare will still be covered, but those students may be required to pay the difference in price.
Yes. All students and fellows enrolled at SAIS are eligible to participate in the ISR. This program is open to students from all concentrations and campuses, including dual degree students.
If you're applying from another campus, please submit all participant application materials via email to isrqm2016@gmail.com by 5:00pm EST (11:00 PM in Bologna) on Monday October 19, 2015. Otherwise, participant applications should be printed and dropped off to the Strategic Studies Office (Rome 708).
Applications for staff positions are due on October 7 by 11:59PM and should be submitted via email to isrqm2016@gmail.com.
Applications for participants are due on October 19 by 5:00 PM to the Strategic Studies Office (Rome 708). You must bring a hard copy of your application.
Approximately 40 students participate, including roughly a dozen members of the ISR Staff.
Yes. The number of applicants typically exceeds the number of available spots by a considerable margin.
Dr. Cohen and Dr. Keaney of the Strategic Studies department will read your applications. The quartermasters and ISR staff have no influence on the acceptance process.
Participants are selected based on the quality of their application essays, their relevant knowledge, skills, experience.
Yes. Past participants have considered it a highlight of their SAIS experience. Although the selection process is competitive and requires students to put significant effort into their application, all applications by current SAIS students will be considered and all interested students are strongly encouraged to apply.
You will be provided with readings and research for your character in February. To help you understand the scope of the entire campaign, you will also receive readings on the entire campaign over the winter break.
To access the Blackboard site, click on the "Community" tab and search for “Poland” in the Search Catalog tool at the top of the screen. Then select “International Staff Ride 2016: Poland” and add yourself to the site by clicking on the arrows to the right of the site name link and choosing “Enroll.”
Well, that might be a problem. All participants will need to have an up-to-date passport. Heads up: the U.S. Department of State takes approximately 4-6 weeks to process applications for new and renewed U.S. passports. Expedited service is available for $60, and takes approximately three weeks.
First time applicants for U.S. passports should follow these instructions from the State Department.
U.S. passports can be renewed by following these instructions from the State Department. U.S. passport holders will not need a visa.
If you are non-US citizen, please let us know so we can assist you in obtaining a visa if needed.
Participants are not required to obtain any specific vaccines for ISR 2016. The Centers for Disease Control publish travel advisories for Poland. Consult with your primary care physician if you have any specific health concerns related to your participation in the trip.
The ISR staff will make every effort to ensure that participant’s dietary restrictions are met. Please let us know if you have any food allergies.
For all inquiries regarding 2016 International Staff Ride please contact: Quartermasters Emily Scammell and Ben Chase at isrqm2016@gmail.com.