International Studies - Photo Contest

Welcome to our Photo Contest Gallery!

Every year the office of Off-Campus Programs/International Studies holds a photo essay contest during both the fall and spring semesters. Students enter up to five photos that are judged by category. Winners are chosen from nearly 200 entries by a committee of art faculty, Communications & Marketing staff, representatives from the International Studies department, and a student who previously won the contest.


Fall 2008
	Feel Yourself Russian Naomi Thorson Category: Cultural Texture LCC International University Photo: Moscow, Russia This photo was taken as a Russian folk show designed for tourists. The show was titled “Feel Yourself Russian” which we Americans got a huge kick out of. Still, the flashy show of Russian song and dance gave a lively representation of Russian culture rarely portrayed on western news media. The bright colors and smiles of the dancers was a sharp contrast to the gloomy March week in Russia-a refreshing glimpse at a complex culture.

(Middle) East Meets West Dan Struck Category: Cultural Texture Middle East Studies Program Photo: Cairo, Egypt After spending several hours visiting the Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza (Cairo), we exited the area and found ourselves right next to a KFC/Pizza Hut. This picture was taken from inside the restaurant where the smell of pepperoni pizza stood in sharp contrast to the view of the 4000+ year old landmarks just outside the window.

	“La persona está lista" (The Person is Ready) Hannah Laky Category: Nature Acadmeic Programs International Photo: Volcán Irazú, Cartago, Costa Rica You are looking down the cone of the highest volcano in Costa Rica. While I was hiking all over this active volcano I felt as if I was close to another person as I heard murmurs almost like a stomach gurgling. The water level inside the volcano's cone is the lowest it has been since the last great eruption in 1963. The lower the water level, the closer the volcano is to erupting. My host mother (mamí) was very nervous because Irazú erupted on March 19, 1963, which was not only her birthday, but her quinceanera (15th birthday). That day dozens of people died and most of Costa Rica was covered in ash.

Imperial Refuge Jonathan Li Category: People Photo: Bejing, China If you ever find yourself bored while in Beijing (yeah, right–tired from six hours of walking maybe), feel free to take refuge within the solid bright red walls of Beijing's Imperial Palace. There you will find plenty of benches for napping, you will be safe from random tourists taking your photograph, and if you¹re worried about oversleeping you can always set your cell phone alarm. These men chose their perfect napping location somewhere between the East Gate entrance and the Imperial Hall of treasures. The Imperial Palace of China at the very center of Beijing within the Forbidden City in Tiananmen Square.

	Room for the Living Sarah Muyskens Category: Landscape Guatemala Term Photo: Guatemala City, Guatemala Rows upon rows of graves that seem to go on for miles surround you as you stand in the national cemetery in Guatemala City. The city is crowded and overpopulated as it is but in a culture where the dead are valued so much there is always room found for the deceased. These temporary tombs can be rented out as a place to visit and remember the loved ones you have lost.

Small Space Specialists Ann Petersen Category: Cultural Texture NYCAMS Photo: Manhattan, NY New York City is notorious for cramming as many people and buildings in to very tight spaces. New Yorkers have become experts on how to “make it work” in a small space. I cramped the composition of this photo as to get as much information about the “Small Space Specialists” in a small space.
	Curiosity Nick Voss Category: Cultural Interaction Creation Care Study Program Photo: Antigua, Belize A day in the central park of Antigua brings many surprises. With a simple lunch from the market, complete with in-season mangos, a small grassy spot in the park prepares us for an open mind to our surroundings. From aggressive arrests to romantic couples on a stroll, thousands of observations can be made in a single day. A field trip of Guatemala students don't have much concern for shyness, and are eager to confront a few strange travelers despite a slight language barrier. This barrier is soon overcome by curiosity, and curiosity overcome by the making of a new friend. Its quite the catalyst indeed, curiosity. As unique of a moment it was, the time to depart was inescapable. Complete with a customary kiss goodbye, only a memory now connects the two different worlds. (Plus some new Spanish words).



	Flower from Hillwalk #3 Kyle Johanson Category: Nature IFSA-Butler: Derry/Londonderry, N. Ireland Photo: Countryside of Donnegal, Ireland Every Sunday, the hillwalking club of Magee College, would go to different sites along the northwest coast of Ireland. This photo was taken in the garden of a castle on one of those walks.