Seeing the world through a different lens

Emory students' study abroad photos showcase learning experiences across the globe

A woman works in a garden in Uganda as the sun sets.

As Emory University’s study abroad students travel around the world, they demonstrate a talent for capturing their experiences through a camera lens.

The annual Office of International and Summer Programs (OISP) Photo Contest encourages students to share the beauty they experience with the Emory community.

Out of 97 submissions, OISP and the Emory Libraries and Information Technology Services (LITS) Student Digital Life Team selected 15 contest winners. The winning photos and many of the other submissions — 54 photos in all — will be on display in the Computing Center at Cox Hall for a full year, until the next annual contest.

Study abroad programs in 30 countries were represented among the photo submissions, including Samoa, Spain, Uganda, Tanzania, Hungary, Rwanda, Croatia and Vietnam. The photo contest has expanded in recent years from one to five categories. Students who had studied abroad between spring 2017 and fall 2017 could enter up to three photographs across these categories.

Tara McCurley, interim assistant director of Academic Technology Services, says that both students and the Student Digital Life staff look forward to seeing the annual exhibit. The experience that shines through each photograph often inspires students who haven’t yet studied abroad, many of whom express an interest in the program after seeing the array of photos.

“The photographs capture the excitement and sense of discovery that the students experience in their travels to new places,” McCurley says. “Some of the photos are breathtakingly beautiful; others make you pause and reflect on the different realities around the world. 

“Seeing the photos and reading the accompanying captions make nearly everyone want to travel and experience these places themselves.”

Overall winners

A woman works in a garden in Uganda as the sun sets.

First place: Caitlyn Arno, senior, “Matooke,” Uganda

A Peruvian man wearing a hat and brightly colored clothing stands in the foreground with a lake and mountains behind him.

Second place: Emily Vena, junior, “Panchito que Viene de la Sierra Productiva,” Peru

Two gorillas climb in the jungle in Rwanda.

Third place: Cody Gardiner, junior, “Mountain Gorilla Silverback and Baby Brother,” Rwanda

Emory Abroad & Global Headlines

A Samoan man in a large hat is photographed from behind as he looks out at the ocean.

First place: Nicholas Alvarez, senior, “Studying the Horizon,” Samoa

Students wearing shorts and carrying backpacks hike down a rocky trail amid ruins in Greece.

Second place: Sophie Wecht, senior, “Exploring Spinalonga,” Greece

Students pose for a selfie in Samoa with lush trees and mountains behind them.

Third place: Jacqueline Moses, junior, “Survivor Emory Series,” Samoa

The World as Your Classroom

Two antelope face the camera with horns touching in Tanzania.

First place: Asti Bagger, senior, “Friend or Foe?” Tanzania

A man wearing jeans and head scarf leans against a saddled camel in the desert in Morocco.

Second place: Aleksei Kaminski, junior, “An Intimate Discussion,” Morocco

A flock of seagulls takes flight from a beach in England.

Third place: Raya Machaca, junior, “Fly Seagull Fly!” England

A Different Perspective

A man in a small boat is silhouetted against an orange and blue sunset in Samoa.

First place: Tenzin Palbar, senior, “The Water is Bluer on the Other Side,” Samoa

Manmade tree-like towers are illuminated with blue lights in Singapore, with the city skyline in the background.

Second place: Weixing Tang, senior, “Artificial Trees,” Singapore

A rooster and a chicken stand in a dusty orange street beside an open doorway in Uganda.

Third place: Caitlyn Arno, senior, “Foul Play,” Uganda

Culture & Customs

A heavily tattooed Samoan man wearing traditional jewelry and purple fabric draped around his waist wraps leaves around food.

First place: Tenzin Palbar, senior, “The Inked Role Model,” Samoa

Two people wearing blank white masks and ornate yellow and green dresses hold white roses while standing by water where small boats are tied up in Italy.

Second place: Callie Russo, senior, “Subtle Whispers,” Italy

A photo taken from above shows the knees and feet of students sitting on a picnic blanket in France, with cheese, meat, croissants and loaves of bread spread out on the blanket.

Third place: Sydney Navid, senior, “Parisian Picnics,” France

The Study Abroad 2018 Photo Contest exhibit is on display through April 2019 in the Computing Center at Cox Hall, located on the second floor above the dining area.

Learn more about Study Abroad Programs.