My Escape
6-weeks | Available (Membership Required)
This course recounts the challenges of growing up under Communism and the
dramatic escape of a teenage freedom fighter from communist Hungary during the
Revolution of 1956. On the climactic night, the escape was against all odds: local guides
were no longer willing to risk their lives leading escapees across the border; the train
back to Budapest was blown up; all non-local residents were detained; during the night,
village homes were searched for potential escapees; five dead bodies were brought in
from the border; and Radio Free Europe bemoaned: “Hardly any Hungarian refugees
succeeded last night.”
Esther Odescalchi
Esther Kando Odescalchi is a native of Hungary. She completed her education in the United
States, earning an MS in Library Science and a Ph.D. in Communications. She worked in executive communications at IBM in Somers and was a member of the IBM Invention Review Committee. Before joining IBM, she was the grant consultant of the Greater New York Library System. During her career Odescalchi received over 25 awards and recognitions. She is the author of numerous technical and non-technical articles, four books and a play. Currently, she lectures and conducts workshops at colleges, universities and national and international organizations.