Cold War Surveillance
Examine the mechanisms and reach of East German state surveillance.
Educational trip
Berlin: Under Surveillance
From Cold War state control to modern digital privacy, explore how Berlin's Stasi legacy shapes our understanding of surveillance and civic freedom.
From$1000 per person
Duration7 days, 6 nights
SubjectsHistory, Economics, Global Politics, Computer Science, Geography
LevelsMiddle & High School (Grades 9-12)
Overview
About this journey
Infiltrate the history of the Cold War by following the declassified “files” of an anonymous East German citizen. From Checkpoint Charlie to the Stasi archives, students experience surveillance history from the inside.
- Examine the history and mechanisms of Cold War surveillance in East Germany
- Analyze Checkpoint Charlie and the division of Berlin
- Explore the economics and politics of a divided Germany
- Discuss surveillance technology’s evolution from Stasi files to modern data collection
Educational & Experiential
Learning-focused travel with real-world insights.
Tailored Programs
Customized journeys to fit your curriculum.
Expert-Guided Tours
Led by professionals for in-depth exploration.
Global Learning, Local Impact
Connecting travelers with communities sustainably.
Journey gallery
Moments from the journey
From Checkpoint Charlie’s guardhouse to the Stasi archives, this journey follows the paper trail of a divided city under constant watch.
Key themes
What students investigate
Discover how surveillance, division, and ideology shaped Cold War Berlin — and what echoes remain today.
A Divided City
Analyze the political and human impact of Berlin's division.
Economics of Division
Explore the economic contrast between East and West Germany.
Surveillance Today
Connect Stasi-era surveillance to contemporary data and privacy debates.
Edulux Compass
By participating in a digital-rights and privacy-literacy workshop co-run with a Berlin civil-liberties NGO; this journey contributes to SDG 16.
What's included
Sites and visits
- Checkpoint CharlieIconic Cold War border crossing symbolizing the division between East and West Berlin.
- Stasi MuseumFormer headquarters of East Germany's secret police, revealing the methods and reach of state surveillance.
- East Side GalleryPreserved section of the Berlin Wall transformed into an open-air gallery celebrating freedom and reunification.
- Stasi Archives (BStU)Historic archive preserving surveillance records and documenting the realities of life under the East German regime.
- AlexanderplatzLandmark public square reflecting Berlin's transformation from the Cold War era to a reunified capital.
Explore and reserve
Ready to step inside a city under surveillance?
This journey through Berlin’s Cold War landmarks follows history from the inside out.