American Dreams: A New Life in the USA – Our Class Trip!

American Dreams: A New Life in the USA – Our Class Trip to the Haus der Geschichte On July 11th, 2024, our English class, led by Ms. Reuß-Bußmann and Ms. Hirsch, embarked on a captivating journey to the Haus der Geschichte, Baden-Württemberg, in Stuttgart. Our destination: the compelling exhibition „American Dreams – A New Life in the USA.“

Our guided tour, which lasted from around 12 to a little after 1 p.m., delved into the captivating history of the American Dream. Equipped with individual earpieces connected to our guide’s microphone, we explored the multifaceted aspects of immigration to the US. The exhibition highlighted key historical figures and events that shaped the nation, from the first encounters between Indigenous peoples and European settlers to the period of the Civil War.

We learned about the hopes and struggles of those who sought new beginnings in a new land with false information. Some of the main topics of our visit were the American Dream and the history of immigration as well as how the concept of the American Dream evolved over time. One of the most engaging aspects of the exhibition was the interactive AI experience. By typing in prompts, we could summon images related to the American Dream and its historical context, projected for all to see.

The exhibition concluded with a poignant activity where we penned our own reflections on the American Dream – messages of hope, resilience, and remembrance – on small white stars. These stars were then displayed within the exhibition space, adding our voices to the American Dream. Overall, our visit to the Haus der Geschichte was a fantastic opportunity to deepen our understanding of the American history, thanks to Ms. Reuß-Bußmann and Ms. Hirsch who organised this trip and to the museum staff for providing us with such a memorable experience.

(By Jonas Notheis/Angel Florin Nastase)