Eye contact plays a significant role in communication. The eyes reflect the feeling of a person when communicating with others. Eye contact also shows that a person is giving his/her full attention to someone he/she is talking to. However, it is known that people from Western countries often use eye contact when communicating as compared to people from East Asia.

A study by professors from the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Arts and Science shows that the meaning of eye contact in Western and East Asian countries are a far cry from each other. They measured the changes in the heart rate of a person when they are talking to someone doing eye contact, looking away, and with closed eyes. They found out that the heart rates of both Japanese and Finnish people decreased upon talking to a person making eye contact which tells that it catches their attention. However, it also showed that in Japan, people consider eye contact as rude, unapproachable, or a sign that the person is angry. All that being said, it is important to keep an ear to the ground about the cultural differences of every country in order to have meaningful and respectful communication.

In 1939, the Nazis invaded Poland and World War II began. All Jewish people were persecuted by the Nazis. They were made to live in certain areas of the cities called ghettos and were forbidden to leave. Those who tried to escape were killed.

In the ghettos, many Jewish people suffered from diseases and starvation. The Nazis did not help them as they were regarded as the inferior race. However, they feared that diseases from the ghettos might spread to the outside. So, they allowed a few social workers to enter and monitor the situation. However, they would be punished if they helped the Jewish people. Irena Sendler, one of the social workers, knew the risks but she was eager to help them.

Irena and several others decided to help the weakest people in the ghettos, which were the children. They hid the children in boxes, bags, and piles of vegetables to take them out of the ghettos secretly. It was extremely difficult because all exits were watched, and everyone was thoroughly searched. Also, anyone caught helping the Jewish people is shot. In spite of these risks, Irena was able to help over 1,250 children to escape.

In the year 1939, the Nazis invaded Poland, and World War II in Europe began. As the Nazis took over the country, all Jewish people regardless of their age and sex were forced to live in certain areas of the cities which were known as ghettos. They were not allowed to leave the place; those who tried to escape were killed.

The conditions in the ghettos were very bad. As a result, many people suffered from starvation and diseases. The Nazis feared that the diseases might spread to the outside. To control the situation, a few social workers were assigned to monitor the situation. However, they were prohibited to help any of the Jews.

One of the few social workers that were assigned was Irena Sendler. She was very eager to help the Jewish people who were living in the ghettos despite the risks.

Irena, together with the several social workers, decided to save the children who were among the weakest people in the ghettos. They knew that it would be difficult and that they might get killed once caught, but it did not stop them from helping the children. Irena and the others worked together to take the children out of the ghettos secretly. Some children were hidden in boxes and bags. Others were carried out under piles of vegetables and clothes. Irena helped over 1,250 children escape and brought them to a safe place.

On one occasion, Irena hid a girl under the back seat of her car. The girl was very ill, but Irena told her to stay silent. While they were leaving the ghetto, Nazi soldiers stopped them to check the car. Suddenly, the girl started coughing. So, Irena also started coughing loudly so that the girl would not be noticed. The soldiers told Irena to be careful. She just thanked them. Finally, the girl was safe.

In 1943, the Nazis arrested Irena and asked her about the Jewish children. Despite the pain from being tortured, she still did not tell anything about the children. Finally, her friends helped her. One of her guards agreed to let her escape in exchange for money. She was hidden for her safety, but she still managed to help children during that time.

The children she saved were taken to religious institutions and adopted by Polish families. They were given false identities and were raised as non-Jewish Polish citizens. Irena understood that the children need to know their pasts so, she made a list of the children’s real names, ages, and other information. The jar where she hid it was rediscovered years after the war ended.

The children Irena saved who called themselves “Irena’s children” were proud to call her their hero. However, Irena did not see herself as a hero. She believed that she has done so little for saving 2,500 children. But for the children she saved, she will always be their hero “mother.”

On July 27, 1848, the construction of the Semmering Railway had begun. The construction project was not an easy one as they have encountered several challenges along the way. They started the project with 5,000 workers, then they became 20,000 later on. The workers had to do the construction by hand as explosives and advanced tunnel-digging equipment had not yet existed during that time. It was indeed a dangerous job.

The construction of the railway put many lives at risk. The worst part was that it took so many lives. On October 27, 2018, Fourteen workers died due to falling rocks. While 750 workers were killed by diseases such as cholera and typhoid between 1850 to 1852.

In spite of all the difficulties, they were still able to make Ghega’s vision a reality. The first trials were run in October 1853. Finally, in July 1854 it made its journey with its first passengers. The total route is about 41, 825 meters. It is the highest railway that had ever been made. Its highest point is 898 meters.

The Semmering Railway has played a significant role in transportation ever since it was completed. It had also become a sightseeing destination to many locals and foreign tourists as they can travel from Austria to Italy while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. Three miles of the journey is through tunnels, while one mile is composed of viaducts. In the year 1998, the Semmering Railway was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

On July 27, 1848, the construction of the Semmering Railway began. There were 5,000 workers at the beginning, but they later increased to 20,000 workers because they had to do the dangerous construction work by hand. On October 27, 1850, fourteen workers were killed because of falling rocks. Also, some 750 workers were killed because of typhoid and cholera. Despite the difficulties, Ghega’s ideas still became a reality. He incorporated the latest technology and his concern for the natural environment. He used bricks and stones instead of iron and steel to build structures. The waste materials were also used to build stations along the railway.

The first trials were run in October 1853 and in July 1854. In just two hours, they could finally cross the Alps. The Semmering Railways made life more convenient and enhanced the beauty of the Alps which attracted many tourists.

150 years later, the railway remains as an important transportation route and a sightseeing destination where visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. For Ghega’s vision that architecture should be in harmony with the natural environment, he was knighted in 1851. In 1998, UNESCO named the Semmering Railway as a World Heritage Site.