Voting for the contest is this week. Sponsored by Capstone International Academic Programs, the contest displays pictures current UA students took from around the world on their study abroad adventures.
“It’s a great way for our students to display their photography skills and hopefully increase recognition of study abroad and the opportunities that students have there,” said Chad Berry, the assistant director of Capstone International Academic Programs and Education Abroad.
Around 250 to 300 pictures were submitted to the contest, which is broken up into four categories: landscape, local color, UA spirit and crimson captured. Of those pictures, the international programs department and staff narrowed down to 10 photos for each category. Those photos are currently displayed on the second floor of the Ferguson Student Center.
John Hayes, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, studied in Dublin, Ireland last spring. He submitted four photos from his trips to Norway, Germany and Ireland, and one of those photos has made it to the final vote.
“There are a lot of really cool pictures, a lot of cool places,” Hayes said. “It’s fun to see where everyone’s been.”
Students are asked to go look at the photos and fill out a ballot of their favorites. Students who don’t have time to visit the Ferg can vote online by visiting The University of Alabama Capstone International Academic Programs Facebook page and liking the pictures they want to win. Top votes in each category will win scholarship money.
Ja’Nise Gentry, a senior majoring in finance and German, studied in Berlin, Germany for four weeks and Munich, Germany for one week over the summer. She submitted four photos as well.
“I submitted four photos and chose them because they embodied some of the most important experiences I had abroad,” Gentry said. “The experiences I had in these pictures moved me, and I felt that they would move others.”
Landscape pictures show scenery, like a landmark. Local color is a category putting local people and culture into a visual form. UA spirit photos capture the essence of the University in different countries by displaying a visual representation of the school. Crimson Captured showcases photos from the perspective of international students and their time at the University.
Hayes said it was hard to pick pictures to submit because he had so many to look through, but in the end he submitted the photos that stuck in his mind. He said it was fun to look through his own pictures and those of others and remember all the things he experienced while in Europe.
“It was just fun to go back and look through and remember all of that, all stuff I did, places I’ve been, and see all the other cool stuff people did,” Hayes said.
This is the 12th year of the contest, and it is held annually in conjunction with International Education Week. The contest displays to the public what students who study abroad get to experience.
The photos will be displayed for two weeks, but voting ends 5 p.m. Friday. Winners will be announced next week.
