2010 Photo Contest

In recognition of International Education Week, the University of Memphis’ Study Abroad Program presented an International Photo Contest exhibit November 15 - 19, 2010. The photos were taken by University of Memphis students while studying abroad during the 2009-2010 academic year.  Each of the thirty contest entries are listed below, along with the descriptions provided by their respective photographers.

First Place Winner: Common Ground by Jesse Gillespie Osaka, Japan
	I met these two guys on the top floor of an arcade where there were pool tables. In my nervously broken Japanese, I asked if I could play a game of pool with them. Once we started playing, the language didn't matter. We found common ground and I will always remember the fun I had with the people like me from the other side of the world. See a larger version

Second Place Winner: "If You Get Hit, You'll Die!" by Jack Adcock Gifu, Japan
	The man on top is shoveling snow off the roof of this historic house in Shirakawa-go, Gifu. As he is shoveling, he yelled at the tourists below, "If you get hit, you'll Die!" See a larger version

Third Place Winner: A Walk with New Friends by Rebecca Jolissaint San Pedro, Dominican Republic
	Children are the same anywhere... friendly and outgoing, wanting to play games as we walked, and showing us their favorite things about their villlage. We didn't speak Spanish and they didn't speak English, but we didn't need a translator to have fun together and see the village from their viewpoint. See a larger version

Honorable Mention: Mutual Intrigue by Bridget Dunnavant Beijing, China
	I notice something beautiful in the honest curiosity of Chinese children peering out at us, the boatload of Americans arriving on shore. I then realize it was my own yearning to understand the difference from myself that brought me to this moment in which I could capture this mutual intrigue. See a larger version

A Taste of Venice by Stephanie Adney Venice, Italy
	One of the beautiful things about Italy is that, no matter where you go, a glass of wine will never be far. See a larger version

Los Desaparecidos de Argentina by Pete Albrecht Argentina
	Over 30,000 individuals are estimated to have been killed or kidnapped during the military junta in Argentina from the 1970s to the early 1980s. In memory of the lost ones, or los desaparecidos, millions of Argentines this year participated in a memorial day dedicated to los desaparecidos during the celebratory week of Argentina's bicentennial. I attended this event with one of my Argentine professors who sadly explained to me that many of his colleagues in academia had been kidnapped or killed. Along with many other Argentines, my professor hopes one day his colleagues and other los desaparecidos will return. See a larger version

The View From Here by Mary Bandy Florence, Italy
	We hiked most of the morning to get to the top of the hill across the river. The view from San Miniator was incredible. From here we saw exactly where we would be making our homes for a while. See a larger version

The Streets of Florence by Ilia Bethea Florence, Italy
	What better way to submerge into a culture than eating their food? While exploring the city I followed my nose into a wonderful cafe that had the best sandwhich (bread, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and olive oil) I ever ate. Simple yet delicious is Italian food at its best! Yummy! See a larger version

Two Thumbs Up For Peace by Brian Booker Itakura, Japan
	After a day with the 5th graders of Itakura Elementary School during the scare of the Bird Flu Season in Japan, this moment represents to me one of the first times I realized it was okay to be different, because no matter how vast our differences in culture and tradition, we are all one people under the same Rising Sun. See a larger version

Ordinary But Extraordinary by Mikki Carver Florence, Italy
	Who lives here? In the short time I stayed in Florence, Italy I had an opportunity to peek behind this door by living in an Italian apartment and experiencing Italian people, food and culture. See a larger version

Harmony by Lucas Chinn Japan
	When I went to Japan, I fell in love. This picture embodies the perfect balance of everything I cherish from my study abroad experience. Culture, nature, history, architecture, the city, and the people, all working in perfect harmony. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I could write a book on this one. See a larger version

Diversity in CR by Lauren Crabtree San Jose, Costa Rica
	An exhibit in the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, my friend and I were taking "Where's Waldo" themed shots in the city. I crept into the exhibit for Kim to make this shot. It was fun and games at the time however, when the photo was developed, we realized that the diversity represented in the photo was more telling than we had thought. See a larger version

View from San Miniato by Michael Darough Florence, Italy
	This photograph overlooks the city of Florence, Italy from the top of San Minato, which is a small hillside across the Arno River. I hiked to the top many times with various individuals I met along the way. See a larger version

Frutas y Verduras: Fruits and Vegetables by Stephanie Dodrill San Jose, Costa Rica
	In this photo, my host sister is buying tomatoes from a vendor. She took us there so we could interact with other "ticas" and practice our Spanish. I was nervous at first, but she made us buy items to try. It was an unforgettable cultural and learning experience. See a larger version

La guitarra costarricense (The Costa Rican Guitar) by Alex Fancher Costa Rica
	Many nights after dinner my host father, or "Papa Tico," would get out his guitar and play Spanish songs for my roommates and me. My Papa Tico was an excellent guitarist and taught me about Costa Rican culture and music. This picture is of my Papa Tico Jorge, my roommate Lauren, and me. See a larger version

A Typical Afternoon in Cedros by Chad Forsythe San Jose, Costa Rica
	Studying abroad is much more than accumulating factual knowledge. It is a total immersion into a culture entirely different than one's own. In this photograph, I am experiencing the rain as I never have before! While the sheer amount was an element entirely foreign to me, this was just another typical day in a typical neighborhood in Costa Rica. See a larger version

Of Roots and Stone by Meghan Geiss Beijing, China
	In the midst of a sensory surplus in unfamiliar surroundings, this was a rare and precious moment in which I, a solitary westerner living in the twenty-first century, was privileged to intimately absorb the beauty and integrity of a cultural emblem of Chinese sacrifice, pride and deep-rooted tradition. See a larger version

Serenity in Bruges by Emily Gutknecht Bruges, Belgium
	While strolling around the Market Square in Bruges, Belgium, I happened upon a picturesque scene, one you would only imagine in your dreams. With the bright blue sky and billowy clouds adding a beautiful backdrop to an already beautiful city, the detailed architecture and quaint outdoor cafes reveal the quinessential spirit of Bruges. The row of bicycles is proof of a simpler and slower paced life, one that consumes the thousands of tourists that visit this enchanting place every year. While in Bruges, time stood still and serenity swept over me. See a larger version

"Sisu" by Jason Hurst Lapland, Finland
	It was while dog sledding through Lapland that I truly began to understand "sisu", a central aspect of Finnish culture meaning, "will, determination, and perseverance." The crisp Arctic air and few hours of precious daylight leading us through this winter wonderland provided a stark contrast to my frozen fingers and toes. See a larger version

Polly Want a Cracker (zoo) San Juan, Costa Rica by James Johnson San Juan, Costa Rica
	One of the most beautiful countries in the world, Costa Rica definitely has some of the best wildlife, foresty, beaches and much more to offer its tourists. As you can see, this unique parrot displays some of the rare wildlife and animals this country has to offer. See a larger version

Via dei Malcontenti by Katie Maish Florence, Italy
	I experienced some culture shock upon arrival in Florence, but over time I became more comfortable immersing myself into daily life and interacting with locals. In this photo, a mother guides her two children along Via dei Malcontenti. Their blurred movement within the frame visually describes my immersion into the city of Florence. See a larger version

"We failed the Tebbit Test!" by David Maloy England
	In 1990, Norman Tebbit, a senior conservative politician in England, responded to growing concerns of diminishing English status in the cricket world by issuing the "Tebbit Test." This test stated that one's "Britishness," with regards to immigrant assimilation, could be determined by which team one supported on English soil. In 2010, violence and natural disaster forced the Pakistani national team to relocat all of their home games to Lord's Cricket Ground, the home of cricket and a significant symbol of "Britishness." See a larger version

Untitled by Alexandra Marzella Florence, Italy
	This photo was taken on a rainy afternoon in Florence, Italy. The day was a little stormy, but it just added to the beauty and romance of the city. This young couple walking back from the market made me realize the beauty of the small moments in everyday life. See a larger version

Not so Far From home by DePrincia McClain London, England
	This photo reveals the feelings that some London natives have regarding the war in Iraq. I realized that their feelings aren't so different those of Americans, making me realize I wasn't so far from home. However even with the signs and the tents, I can't ignore the beautiful architecture in the background. See a larger version

In Flanders Fields by Kelsey Robson Spain
	"In Flanders fields the poppies blow. Between the crosses, row on row..." John McCrae. When I left Canada to study at the University of Memphis, I said goodbye to many wonderful traditions. One of those was Rembrance Day: observing a minute of silence for the lives lost during times of war, and wearing poppies across the heart. The Spanish countryside, painted red by fields of these beautiful flowers, was a bittersweet reminder of my homeland and its sacrifices. See a larger version

An American in Crevillente by Jessica Swan Creilleute, Spain
	Traveling from a Moroccan tea house with Spanish friends found me in a bar in Crevillente celebrating a world cup victory over Chile. Having never met an American, Alba and Paula were convinced that I, being from Tennessee, knew Hannah Montana. While no relative, I am an amabassador of goodwill. See a larger version

La Tradicion by Ashley Watts Murcia, Spain
	Although many consider it cruel and inhumane, bullfighting continues to lure loyal Spaniards and curioius tourists. On February 21, 2010, Marcia's Plaza de Toros filled with those eagerly awaiting the promised seven performances of man versus bull. Before releasing bull "numero uno," players salute the President, surrendering their lives for our entertainment. See a larger version

Love is the Same in Every Language by Mary Wilks San Pedro, Dominican Republic
	At CAES we faced significant language barriers, as every word spoken required translation into Spanish which then had to be translated into Dominican sign language. However, "I love you" is the same in both American and Dominican sign language, which reminded me that love truly is the universal language, understood by all. See a larger version