A Paris opera house, a quaint forest town in Czechia, a Dublin beach that seemed to never end — these are some of the scenes that took first place in the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement’s 2023 photo contest. The annual contest asks students to share images from their study abroad experiences in a range of categories. We recently caught up with some of the CC winners to get the story behind their images.
One of the winners, Linnea Hopkins-Ekdahl CC’24, captured a stunning photo in Karlštejn, Czechia, on her Nikon 35mm film camera. She described the town as "completely magical" with its beautiful homes, lush forests, and perfect sunlight. Linnea shared, "I had also loved learning about the history of the castle (and how the Swedish couldn’t conquer it — a fun, personal connection for me, since I am Swedish!)."
Lilienne Shore Kilgore-Brown CC’24, another winner, took her winning photo on Sandymount Strand in Dublin during her Spring Break trip. She recalled the moment when she arrived at the beach and saw a wonderful rainbow. Lilienne said, "It was the perfect cap for the verdant and musing day I had. I think anyone doing a bit of traveling should make sure to do some of it alone. It’s so rewarding."
Esther Mafouta March CC’24 immersed herself in Zimbabwean culture during her study abroad experience in Cape Town. Her winning photo showcased her and her fellow students at a traditional Zimbabwean restaurant in Victoria Falls. Esther emphasized the importance of her study abroad experience, stating, "I will forever remember the exciting feeling of meeting so many new people, all while trying to create a little life for myself in a country 7,000 miles from home."
Indigo Parlin CC’24 captured the grandeur of Palais Garnier, a famous opera house in Paris. She took the photo while touring the opera house with her mom, who shares her love for ballet and European decorative arts. Indigo expressed her love for studying in Paris, saying, "I think the best part was being able to dedicate a semester to studying interests outside of computer science, to help me become more cultured and well-rounded."
These students' study abroad experiences were not only visually captivating but also transformative in their personal and academic growth. Through their photos, they were able to share glimpses of the cultures and environments they immersed themselves in. The Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement's photo contest is a testament to the enriching experiences that studying abroad can offer.
For more information about study abroad opportunities and to view all the winning photos from the contest, visit the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement's website.
To find out more, go to this link: https://news.columbia.edu/news/picture-perfect
