Photo Gallery: Study Abroad Photo Contest Yields Impressive Results
Students submit captivating images from locations around the globe
The inaugural Study Abroad photo contest challenged students studying around the world to view their experience through a new lens — a photo lens, to be exact.
Jeannie LaPlatney, assistant director of Study Abroad, who initiated the contest, explains that students share their experiences with the campus community in essays, speeches during events such as the Academic Conference, in classroom presentations, and other co-curricular activities. The photo contest is another way for students to express these experiences — which they often refer to as life-changing — to fellow students, faculty and staff.
Three prizes were awarded, including three honorable mentions. The six photos were recently on display near the Cool Beans coffee shop on the highly-trafficked first floor of the Hogan Campus Center.
Jeannie LaPlatney, assistant director of Study Abroad, who initiated the contest, says all entries were impressive.
“The photos are part of our students’ contribution to the campus as global citizens,” she says. “I hope that they inspire other students to study abroad and garner respect for what our study abroad students do when they leave Holy Cross for a sojourn abroad.”
Roger Hankins, director of the Cantor Art Gallery, served as juror. He said he chose the winning photographs because they aren’t easily forgotten.
“I was looking for photographs that held that vividness of place that a viewer could feel — somewhat like what the student must have seen when taking the picture.”
Award Winners
First Place
Carson Townsend ’12
“Tannery of Tetouan”
“During a three-day weekend my friend and I went to Tetouan, one of the last not-touristy-but-still-pretty-big cities in Morocco. Here we stumbled upon some of the most traditional scenes we had seen during our entire nine months in Morocco.”
Location: Tetouan Medina (old city), Morocco
Program: Amideast Education Abroad Program – Rabat, Morocco
Second Place
Audrey Gehring ’12
“No Fences”
“We were all a little concerned with the lack of barrier between tourists and imminent death.”
Location: Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare, Ireland
Names of people in photo: Audrey Gehring and Christine Brennan
Program: National University of Ireland, Galway
Third Place
Jamie LaCasse ’12
“Making friends with the locals”
“I love this photo because it captures one of the three times we were able to swim with sea lions, the subject of my directed research project and subsequently, my new favorite animal.”
Location: Loreto National Park, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Program: School for Field Studies
Honorable Mentions
Nora Marino ’12
“The most beautiful street in La Coruña!”
“The main harbor in this Galician city with many colorful fishing boats. Behind the boats, the row of buildings are apartments with decks enclosed by large glass windows. Due to the large amount of rainfall in La Coruna, the residents use these decks to look out on their loveable city and keep dry! Back in the day, women would tearfully bid their husbands farewell from these decks as they sailed off to sea.”
Location: La Coruña, Spain
Program: Universidad da Coruña
Stephanie Marlin ’12
“Elephants of the Serengeti”
“Taken in Serengeti National Park, this image truly captures the beauty of the natural landscape. Serengeti, meaning “endless plains,” is home to a plethora of wildlife including the African elephant. Shown in the picture is a small herd walking alongside our vehicle in the middle of the park.”
Location: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Program: School for Field Studies
Carson Townsend ’12
“Stables”
“During a group trip to Meknes, we visited the ancient horse stables. In this photo one can observe the majestic architecture that maintained hundreds of horses hundreds of years ago, still intact.”
Location: Meknes
Program: Amideast Education Abroad Program – Rabat, Morocco
