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.

First place: “Landscapes and Cityscapes”

The town of Karlštejn, Czechia.

Linnea Hopkins-Ekdahl CC’24

Name: Linnea Hopkins-Ekdahl CC’24
Major: Film and Media Studies/Visual Arts

Which program did you participate in, and why?

I participated in the CIEE: Film Studies in Prague program during my junior year (Spring 2023) because I wanted to go someplace I was completely unfamiliar with and experience a culture unlike those I am used to (American/Western and Northern European). I chose the program because it would allow me to study film and complete requirements in my major, as well as give me film production experience unique to the program.

What was the highlight of your study abroad experience?

Prague itself. The city is so incredibly beautiful, and I enjoyed experiencing the culture while learning about Central European history. It was also a treat to be able to make a short film using 16mm film.

Tell us about your winning photo.

This photo was taken in Karlštejn, Czechia, on my Nikon 35mm film camera, as I was walking with friends down the hill away from the town’s famous castle. We were on a day trip and I couldn’t take enough pictures. I was struck by the many quaint, beautiful homes, how lush the surrounding forest was and how perfect the sunlight was. The town felt completely magical. 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!).

First place: “Lottery”

Sandymount Strand in Dublin

Lilienne Shore Kilgore-Brown CC’24

Name: Lilienne Shore Kilgore-Brown CC’24
Major: English

Which program did you participate in, and why?

I’ve actually studied abroad twice, through different programs! But this photo was taken while I was on the Middlebury in Spain program, based at the Sede Prim in Madrid, in Spring 2023. I chose that program because it was focused on language learning. It also allowed me to take courses in literature and film as well as a literature class at a Spanish university (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid). Madrid also offered a ton of wonderful art museums, parks and neighborhoods to explore, as well as providing a central base from which I could visit different parts of Spain.

I also participated in the Richmond B. Williams Traveling Fellowship, generously given to me through the English Department, which I used to go to Mexico City. The fellowship gave me the opportunity to do research in archives that I couldn’t have done otherwise, which will support the senior essay I am writing throughout this year.

What was the highlight of your study abroad experience?

In Spain, the highlight was my mistaken but fortuitous choice to go to Sevilla for the first half of Semana Santa, or holy week. It was unlike anything I have ever seen. The city itself is beautiful and full of history, so delightful to wander through, and the processions were some of the most marvelous and grand displays I have ever seen. Thousands and thousands of Nazarenos comprised the handful of religious processions that snaked through the city from early in the day well into the night. Such a magical thing to see!

Tell us about your winning photo. This category invites many different types of entries!

This picture was taken on Sandymount Strand in Dublin, on a short trip I did during Spring Break. I went alone and spent a couple days there walking, walking, walking, just taking in the city and surrounding areas. On that day, I had gone for a cliffside walk in Howth and then came back to the city and walked miles to get to this beach. When I got there, I kept trying to find the coast, but it seemed that the sand went on forever. I finally checked Google Maps, which told me I was in fact standing in the ocean (turns out people used to get stranded on that beach when the tide came in). I ran back to the actual shore — where I saw a tide warning sign, oops — and saw this wonderful rainbow. 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.

First place: “Cultures, Customs and Traditions”

Esther Mafouta March CC’24 immersed herself in Zimbabwean culture with fellow CIEE Arts and Sciences students Nile and Deb.

Esther Mafouta March CC’24

Name: Esther Mafouta March CC’24
Major: Political Science and Public Health

Which program did you participate in, and why?

I chose the CIEE Arts and Sciences program in Cape Town because I wanted an English-speaking program; I wanted to immerse myself in the local culture and build a life abroad; and I didn’t want to go to Europe. I was searching for something out of the box, and Cape Town fell in my lap. Especially after talking to someone who had done the CIEE program before Covid-19, I was convinced I needed to go and that I would have a good time.

What was the highlight of your study abroad experience?

There are many! First, the beauty of the environment and nature. Another was the food. Even in NYC I love going to different restaurants or trying new recipes in my suite, and in South Africa it was no different. Being in a place that had such an amalgamation of cultures, like those of the Cape Malays, Afrikaaners and indigenous South Africans, allowed for many tasty adventures.

The people also were a huge part of why I remember my study abroad experience so fondly. I met lifelong friends through the CIEE program and at the University of Cape Town (UCT). 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.

As for the academic aspect, the African perspective on political science and women and gender studies that I was exposed to at UCT was very enlightening and made me a more well-rounded political science major. Since it was my first time learning and living in a non-Western country, I learned a lot about African culture and their approach to feminism, women’s rights and politics.

Tell us about your winning photo.

Pictured are fellow CIEE Arts and Sciences students Nile and Deb at Boma, a touristic yet traditional Zimbabwean restaurant in Victoria Falls. There, we ate kudu stew, spit roast pork and alligator, and participated in a dance show and djembe drum class. It was an amazing night where we immersed ourselves in Zimbabwean traditions and culture while celebrating our friendship. When I think back on my study abroad experience, I remember the genuine unfettered happiness I felt, the friends I made, the food I ate and the adventures I went on. Cape Town, I will be back someday!

First place: “Free for All”

Palais Garnier, a famous opera house in Paris.

Indigo Parlin CC’24

Name: Indigo Parlin CC’24
Major: Computer Science

Which program did you participate in, and why?

I chose Columbia in Paris — I’ve wanted to study in Paris since middle school, which led me to study French in high school. This was a perfect program for me because I could take French class and be immersed in the language while taking my other courses, like art history, in English. Since the program is run by Columbia, it was nice to have friends in the same boat as me on their semester abroad, while being able to meet local students in our classes at Sciences Po.

What was the highlight of your study abroad experience?

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. I love Paris for its art scene. One of the best parts about being a student there is the free access to museums, which my friends and I took advantage of often. My courses included art history, photojournalism and ballet. I also loved the public gardens and pedestrian paths along the Seine. Of course, I have to mention the boulangeries, where I got pain au chocolat for a euro in the mornings before class. Best breakfast ever.

Tell us about your winning photo.

My photo was taken in Palais Garnier, a famous opera house in Paris. My mom was visiting me from Colorado and we chose to tour the opera house because we both love ballet and European decorative arts, which are abundant in the opulent opera house. The paintings on the walls and ceilings combined with the gilded trimming and chandeliers were gorgeous and something I would never encounter in the United States, so of course I had to capture it!

Find information about study abroad opportunities and see all the winning photos from the annual contest at the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement's website.