If you always wanted to travel or participate in an exchange program, but are fearful or lack inspiration you can view the photo display in the Education Abroad Office about the exciting experience you can have in foreign countries.
At the beginning of Oct. Education Abroad Office of UW organized a photo contest for the international students and faculty, who came to the US, and for locals, who went to study abroad. The winners were announced during the International Education week.
“Everyone put a lot in their photos. There are amazing photos displayed in Cheney Center,” Education Abroad coordinator, Amanda Poppe said. “And there are even more gorgeous pictures, that are not displayed. They are excellent. I’m looking forward to using them in more marketing pieces in the future as well. So, you can already see some of them appearing on social media – we used them for headers on Facebook and Twitter.”
The pictures were judged by office staff in four different categories, and the chosen photos are now displayed in the hallway of the Cheney International Center.
“The photo contest is actually something that [has been] going on for years,” Poppes said. “The photo contest is an excellent way for students to share their stories, their photos and their experiences. It’s also beneficial for us, as we can use their photos in the future as well.”
Italian exchange student and winner of the International Impressions of America category, Saverio Zappacosta, was excited to participate.
“Well I wanted to participate first of all to join all the international students and share my experience that I had in this amazing year that I’ve been in Wyoming as an exchange student from Italy,” Zappacosta said.
The winners of the Cross-cultural Engagement Abroad category are; first was Todd Surovell’s “Examining Data,” second was Luke Hellmuth’s “Phone Booth” and third was Janel Seeley’s “Quenching Thirst in the Rainforest.”
The category of Distant Places the winners are; first was Paul Bonifas “Cormorant Fisherman,” second was Kaitlyn Emerson “Goat Tree” and third was Kelsey Black “Enjoying the View.”
In the category of International Impressions of America, the winners are; first Saverio Zappacosta’s “Grand Tetons Lake,” second was Yajie Zhao’s “Flags in UW” and third was Ding Chen’s “Bison Grassland.”
The fourth category, the students’ choice, was the new one this year. Visitors could come to Cheney Center during the Photo Contest Reception, and choose the photo they think was the best.
“Photos were judged mostly by the department, and then we had an award, a new one this year, – student’s choice award,” said Poppe.
The winner in the Students Choice category is Todd Surovell with his photo “Dukha Girl.”
“We had about 30 people showing up and they are mostly people who submitted photos for the contest. Several people brought their friends, too,” student worker at Education Abroad office, Benjamin Gates said. “We had people coming in right away. I gave them a sheet with question for them to decide what they think is the best photo was. So, they could walk around, see everyone’s photos, and then vote for one of them.”
A surplus of photos were submitted for this year’s contest.
“We had so many photos this year, that we were unable to put all the photos on the walls in the hallway,” Poppe said. “So, we printed out only the best and favorite photos in opinion of our staff. We tried to not put up too many of the same artist, or photographer, in order to leave the spot for other people’s photos as well.”
The winners received gift cards from the University Store.
“For the first place they received a $100 gift card to the university store, second place for $50, and the third – $25,” Gates said.
International Impressions of America category winner is appreciative for the recognition.
“I’m really glad that I won, most of all because my pictures will be left on the walls even after I’m gone. It will be painful to leave Wyoming,” Zappacosta said. “Also, I’m glad I won a gift card to the book store so that I will be able to have some Wyoming gear to bring back to Italy.”
