The winners of the 2016 SDSU International Photo Contest were announced on Thursday, Oct. 6.
The contest received 109 submissions from students who participated in international experiences through San Diego State University’s
International Student Center. The contest, which featured 32 photos, was put on by the
Division of Undergraduate Studies,
Office of New Student and Parent Programs, and
Be International.
First-, second- and third-place winners, as well as the two honorable mentions were chosen by a committee of faculty and staff judges, while the People’s Choice award was selected through online voting on the
Be International blog.
“My favorite part of the contest is that all SDSU students and their families get to learn about different parts of the world that they may have never visited themselves,” said
Chris Kjonaas, associate director of international engagement for the SDSU Division of Undergraduate Studies. “We hope that the images and narratives from other students not only get them excited to study abroad, but also motivate them to choose destinations beyond the most familiar and popular.”
The theme of this year’s contest was experience movement, which called for capturing images within everyday life in the students’ host culture.
The top 40 photos will be displayed in a gallery on Centennial Walkway during
Family Weekend.
First Place: "Berber Path" by Ashlynne Ray
Berber Path
Major and Program: Marketing major on SDSU Exchange in France - Summer 2016
Location: Sahara, Morocco
Narrative: This photograph captures movement from foreign to familiar as two Berbers leave the camel-backed, wide-eyed travelers to climb the sand dune and disappear to their home camp in the Sahara.
Second Place: "Don't Blink" by Avery Durko
Don’t Blink
Major and Program: Marketing major on Partner Institution Program in Italy - Summer 2016
Location: Capri, Italy
Narrative: In a world of constant change, all we can do is savor a moment. On a speeding boat ride through the Amalfi Coast, with waves crashing below me and clouds swirling above me, I was able to capture this moment in time, and relive this experience over and over.
Third Place: "Reflected Movement" by Ashley Kahen
Reflected Movement
Major and Program: Sociology major on SDSU Exchange in Singapore - Spring 2016
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Narrative: Being a part of the movement in Tokyo’s daily hustle and bustle was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my time abroad in Asia. This photo encompasses Tokyo’s fast-paced lifestyle while exhibiting its mesmerizing modern architecture.
Honorable Mention: "Recess" by Sierra Gunberg
Recess
Major and Program: English single subject teaching major on SDSU Faculty-Led Program in Guatemala - Spring Break 2016
Location: Chichicastenango, Guatemala
Narrative: This photo attempts to capture the unadulterated bliss (and chaos) that was the recess break in the school I volunteered for in Guatemala. The center child is relishing in some of the toys we brought for the students to enjoy.
Honorable Mention: "Night Fountains" by Jamie Darling
Night Fountains
Major and Program: Speech language hearing sciences major on SDSU Faculty-Led Program in China - Summer 2016
Location: Dengkou, China
Narrative: This photo was taken on my last night in the city of Dengkou and holds a lot of meaning to me because that night we said goodbye to our students. The fountain has no barrier so children can run freely through it.
People's Choice: "Tower Bridge" by Hayley O'Driscoll
Tower Bridge
Major and Program: Business administration major on SDSU Exchange in England - Spring 2016
Location: London, United Kingdom
Narrative: Tower Bridge, one of London’s most famous landmarks, lifts open to allow ships to pass by multiple times each day. Here, the bridge is currently opening for a vessel to pass through upstream. Traffic on the bridge comes to a standstill as the bridge opens and the vessel moves through.