International Photo Contest

Each year the Study Abroad office hosts an International Photo Contest where students, faculty and staff can submit photographs they have taken while abroad. Sharing their overseas experiences with the UNC Asheville community brings the world to Asheville and helps the larger community better relate to their experiences. The annual International Photo Contest will display the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Honorable Mention photos for each category in the Blowers Gallery. Contestants and winners will be featured on the Study Abroad website and in publicity materials. Winners will be announced in November during our International Education week.

The 2025 Photo Contest is now accepting submissions! All entries must be submitted as soon as possible. If you have further questions, contact ldobson@unca.edu.

Submit Your Photos

We want to encourage serious photography among our UNC Asheville travelers, help them see their new surroundings more deeply and create a photographic record of their experiences.

Participants must be UNC Asheville students, faculty, or staff. You may submit photos from vacation travel abroad, UNC Asheville programs abroad, non-UNC Asheville programs abroad, independent study at a foreign university, a foreign internship or paid work experience, international service learning, or a research project abroad leading to a paper at UNC Asheville.

Yes! For example, a participant in one of UNC Asheville’s programs in France could submit a photo taken in Rome.

You may submit only one photo per category. The photos need to be categorized by:

Nature’s Beauty – Landscapes, panoramic views, wildlife, and outdoor activities
People – Children, adults, families, self-portraits, and group photos
Reflections – This category will seek photos that visually represent the life-altering experiences of study abroad students, and the positive difference the trip made on their outlook and on them personally. For this category, we ask students to write a brief description of why their photo fits this category and how the event inspired them.
Cross-Cultural Moments – Cultural events, interaction with host culture, fairs, ceremonies, everyday life, foods, activities, holiday celebrations, local festivals, and other cultural activities. For this category your description must provide a brief explanation of context to help the viewer understand what makes it a cross-cultural moment.

In general, winning photos have been well-composed and well-focused (or deliberately out of focus for artistic effect), and the scenes captured have usually been unambiguously out-of-the-country. Be thoughtful, be creative, have fun. Send us some photos, and see what happens.

Check out our photo tips for a crash course in camera instruction.

We will display the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Honorable Mention photos for each category in Blowers Gallery, Ramsey Library. Contestants and winners will be featured on the Study Abroad website and publicity materials.

One student photo in the exhibit will be considered by the Chancellor’s office for a Chancellor’s Purchase Award. The photo that the Chancellor’s office chooses will be purchased by them, and the photographer will receive $250.

2024 Winners

Winners by Category

Nature’s Beauty

1st: Curious Nara Deer – Nara, Japan by Ona Elkins
2nd: El Cuervo Volante (The Flying Crow) – Valle de las Palmas, Cocura, Colombia by Noah Puhl
3rd: She Watches – San Cristobal, Galapagos by Catherine Anderson

Cross-Cultural Moments

1st: Airing Out – Angers, France by Ellie Struble
2nd: Dancing in the Streets – Otavalo, Ecuador by Catherine Anderson
3rd: Writing Wishes – Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, Japan by Cole Anson

People

1st: The Argolic Gulf – Paralia Astros, Greece by Anne Ogg
2nd: Bathhouse Laundry – Tokyo, Japan by Manny Figaro
3rd: The Daily Commute – Cali, Colombia by Noah Puhl

Reflections

1st: Looking Down to Look Up – Tokyo, Japan by Giovanni Figaro
2nd: In Every Walk with Nature – Tiputini, Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, Ecuador by Catherine Anderson
3rd: Infinity Pool over the Ocean in North Iceland – Húsavík, Iceland by Kirk Boyle

Chancellor’s Purchase Award

Bathhouse Laundry – Tokyo, Japan by Manny Figaro

Curious Nara Deer – Nara, Japan by Ona Elkins

El Cuervo Volante (The Flying Crow)

She Watches – San Cristobal, Galapagos by Catherine Anderson

Airing Out – Angers, France by Ellie Struble

Dancing in the Streets by Catherine Anderson

Writing Wishes – Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, Japan by Cole Anson

The Argolic Gulf – Paralia Astros, Greece by Anne Ogg

Bathhouse Laundry – Tokyo, Japan by Manny Figaro

The Daily Commute – Cali, Colombia by Noah Puhl

Looking Down to Look Up – Tokyo, Japan by Giovanni Figaro

In Every Walk with Nature – Tiputini, Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, Ecuador by Catherine Anderson

Infinity Pool over the Ocean in North Iceland – Húsavík, Iceland by Kirk Boyle

2023 Winners

Winners by Category

Nature’s Beauty:

1st Place: I Wanna Taste It! – Sveitarfélagid Hornafördur, Iceland – Rafael Aguilera
2nd Place: Highland Cow – Edinburgh – Callahan Meyer
3rd Place: Between Karwendal and Weiherburgbach – Innsbruck, Austria – Bea Bradley
Honorable Mention: Via ferrata by the Norwegian fjords – Odda, Norway – Beatrice Faureng
and Winter in Iceland – Vik, Iceland – Anne Ogg (two way tie)

Cross Cultural:

1st Place: Bahia De Caraquez – Bahia De Caraquez, Ecuador – Rafael Aguilera
2nd Place: Risk – Maui, Hawaii – Aidan Hjelsand
3rd Place: Universal Game – Honduras moutains (Santiago community) – Vollie Barnwell
Honorable Mention: Abundance – Hanoi, Vietnam – Star Neorr

People:

1st Place: Peace – Belize City, Belize – Rafael Aguilera
2nd Place: Love at Any Age – Steigen, Norway – Beatrice Faureng
3rd Place: Leather Tannery – Fez, Morocco – Anne Ogg
Honorable Mention: La Gente de Palomino – Palomino, Dibulla, La Guajira, Colombia – Abby Jay

Reflections:

1st Place: Muddy Sky – Chong Khneas Floating Village, Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia – Star Neorr
2nd Place: Niños de Palomino – Palomino, Dibulla, La Guajira, Colombia – Abby Jay
3rd Place: Solemn – Honduras Mountains – Vollie Barnwell
Honorable Mention: La Città Eterna (The Eternal City) – Rome, Italy – Beatrice Bradley

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

Solemn – Honduras Mountains – Vollie Barnwell

“I Wanna Taste It” by Rafael Aguilera

“Highland Cow” by Callahan Meyer

“Between Karwendal and Weiherburgbach” by Bea Bradley

“Via Ferrata by the Norwegian Fjords” by Beatrice Faureng

“Winter in Iceland” by Anne Ogg

“Bahia De Caraquez” by Rafael Aguilera

“Risk” by Aidan Hjelsand

“Universal Game” by Vollie Barnwell

“Abundance” by Star Neorr

“Peace” by Rafael Aguilera

“Love at Any Age” by Beatrice Faureng

“Leather Tannery” by Anne Ogg

“La Gente de Palomino” by Abby Jay

“Muddy Sky” by Star Neorr

“Niños de Palomino” by Abby Jay

“Solemn” by Vollie Barnwell

“La Città Eterna (The Eternal City)” – by Beatrice Bradley

2020 Winners

Winners of the 2020 Photo Contest:

First Place: Clouds Eating the Mountains, Nora Segurola Larrinaga, Spain

Second Place: Kangaroo Portrait, Ray Strong, Australia

Third Place: He Chillin, Katie Tanner, Turks & Caicos

Honorable Mention: Galeries Lafayette Dome, Ray Strong, France

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

He Chillin, Katie Tanner, Turks & Caicos

“Clouds Eating the Mountain” by Nora Segurola, Spain

“Kangaroo Portrait” by Ray Strong, Australia

“He Chillin” by Katie Tanner, Turks and Caicos

“Galeries Lafayette Dome” by Ray Strong, France

2019 Winners

Winners By Category

Cross Cultural:

1) Volcano Tourist Translator, Jonathan Morris, Japan
2) Speechless, Amanda Morse, Ireland
3) The Heart of Spain Beats in the Rhythm, Luiz Dantas, Spain
HM) Tourism in Prague, Veronika Mojik, Czech Republic

Nature’s Beauty:

1) Sunset on the Twelve Apostles, James Kwak, Australia
2) Llama’s Mountain View, Ray Strong, Peru
3) Underwater Garden, Katie Tanner, Turks and Caicos
HM) Plantains, Madam?, Aly Pagano, Ecuador

People:

1) Joy, Veronika Mojik, the Dominican Republic
2) Preserving an Endangered Language, Gloria Kirk, India
3) Mosaic of Hope, Jonathan Morris, Cambodia
HM) School Rep Underwater, Katie Tanner, Turks and Caicos

Reflections:

1) Karoline’s Journey, Zachary (Zax) Milkereit, Norway
2) UNASUR Reflections, Ray Strong, Ecuador
3) Berlin’s Chemistry, Logan Guarglia, Germany
HM) The Grand Palace, Carter Kennedy, Thailand

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

School Rep Underwater, Katie Tanner, Turks and Caicos

“Volcano Tourist Translator” by Jonathan Morris, Japan

“Speechless” by Amanda Morse, Ireland

“The Heart of Spain Beats in the Rhythm” by Luiz Dantas, Spain

“Tourism in Prague” by Veronika Mojik, Czech Republic

“Sunset on the Twelve Apostles” by James Kwak, Australia

“Llama’s Mountain View” by Ray Strong, Peru

“Underwater Garden” by Katie Tanner, Turks and Caicos

“Plantains, Madam?” by Aly Pagano

“Joy” by Veronika Mojik, Dominican Republic

“Preserving an Endangered Language” by Gloria Kirk, India

“Mosaic of Hope” by Jonathan Morris, Cambodia

“School Rep Underwater” by Katie Tanner, Turks and Caicos

“Karoline’s Journey” by Zax Milkereit, Norway

“UNASUR Reflections” by Ray Strong, Ecuador

“Berlin’s Chemistry” by Logan Guarglia, Germany

“The Grand Palace” by Carter Kennedy, Thailand

2018 Winners

Winners by Category

Cross Cultural:

1) Cha Cha Ndella and Chickens by Gloria Kirk, Senegal
2) Fire in the Amazon by Brenna Tull, Ecuador
3) Xiaolongbao on the Street by Elijah Alexander, Hong Kong
HM) Fish of the People by Caroline Tucker, Ecuador

Nature’s Beauty:

1) The Mountain by Hayata Okubo, China
2) The End of the Earth by Christiana Brueggemann, Chile
3) Llama en los Andes by Virginia Taylor, Peru
HM) Sunset Eruption of Mt. Agung by Adam Reagan, Indonesia

People:

1) Ice Swimming by Elisabeth Maillard, Finland
2) Man’s Best Friends – Greenwich by Candace Buck, United Kingdom
3) Daily Lunch Preparation with Ngone and Badian by Gloria Kirk, Senegal
HM) My Kindergarten Students in China by Amy Brown, China

Reflections:

1) Norwegian Dusk by Ally Hibbitts, Norway
2) Boats in France by Savannah Nemeth, France
3) Dinner with a View by Taylor Kominek, Greece
HM) Reflective Amsterdam by Santiago Bonilla, the Netherlands

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

Llama en los Andes by Virginia Taylor, Peru

Chancellor’s Purchase Award Runners Up:

My Kindergarten Students in China by Amy Brown, China

Fire in the Amazon by Brenna Tull, Ecuador

“Cha Cha Ndella and Chickens” by Gloria Kirk, Senegal 1st Place Cross Cultural Category

“Fire in the Amazon” by Brenna Tull, Ecuador

“Xiaolongbao on the Street” by Elijah Alexander, Hong Kong

“Fish of the People” by Caroline Tucker, Ecuador

“The Mountain” by Hayata Okuba, China

“The End of the Earth” by Christiana Brueggemann, Chile

“Llama en los Andes” by Virginia Taylor, Peru

“Sunset Eruption of Mt. Agung” by Adam Reagan, Indonesia

“Ice Swimming” by Elisabeth Maillard, Finland

“Man’s Best Friends-Greenwich” by Candace Buck, United Kingdom

“Daily Lunch Preparation with Ngone and Badian” by Gloria Kirk, Senegal

“My Kindergarten Students in China” by Amy Brown, China

“Norwegian Dusk” by Ally Hibbitts, Norway

“Boats in France” by Savannah Nemeth, France

“Dinner with a View” by Taylor Kominek, Greece

“Reflective Amsterdam” by Santiago Bonilla, the Netherlands

2017 Winners

Winners by Category

Cross Cultural:

1) Preparing for Tabaski by Gloria Kirk, Senegal
2) Hovey Hong Vocational Training Centre by Shannon Herlihy, Thailand
3) Bead Morning by Whitney Whitley, Ghana
HM) Ancient Temple in Busan by Anna Emslie, South Korea

Nature’s Beauty:

1) Milo by Sophia Ahmad, Ecuador
2) Sahara Trip by Darcy MacFarland, Morocco
3) The Pianist of Milford Sound by Tamarya Sims, New Zealand
HM) Giant’s Causeway by Maxwell Olle, Northern Ireland

People:

1) Badian Preparing Lunch by Gloria Kirk, Senegal
2) People Waiting for the Miracle by Aleksandra Timochova, Czech Republic
3) Cinematheque Tanger by Darcy MacFarland, Morocco
HM) Tham Lot Cave by Shannon Herlihy, Thailand

Reflections:

1) The Lone Tree by Tamarya Sims, New Zealand
2) Solace in One Day by Shannon Herlihy, Thailand
3) A-Bomb Dome by Reid Gudger, Japan
HM) Old Curious Man by Aleksandra Timochova, England

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

The Pianist of Milford Sound, Tamarya Sims, New Zealand

“Preparing for Tabaski” by Gloria Kirk, Senegal

“Hovey Hong Vocational Training Centre” by Shannon Herlihy, Thailand

“Bead Morning” by Whitney Whitley, Ghana

“Ancient Temple in Busan” by Anna Emslie, South Korea

“Milo” by Sophia Ahmad, Ecuador

“Sahara Trip” by Darcy MacFarland, Morocco

“The Pianist of Milford” Sound by Tamarya Sims, New Zealand

“Giant’s Causeway” by Maxwell Olle, Northern Ireland

“Badian Preparing Lunch” by Gloria Kirk, Senegal

“People Waiting for the Miracle” by Aleksandra Timochova, Czech Republic

“Cinematheque Tanger” by Darcy MacFarland, Morocco

“Tham Lot Cave” by Shannon Herlihy, Thailand

“The Lone Tree” by Tamarya Sims, New Zealand

“Solace in One Day” by Shannon Herlihy, Thailand

“A-Bomb Dome” by Reid Gudger, Japan

“Old Curious Man” by Aleksandra Timochova, England

2016 Winners

Winners by Category

Cross Cultural Moments:

1st Place: Serena Dotson-Smith, “The Lama“, China

2nd Place: Herb Gunn, “Semana Santa: Holy Week Procession“, Guatemala

3rd Place: Cody Fenison, “Countryside Hospitality“, Indonesia

Honorable Mention: Reid Gudger, “Oasis“, Hong Kong

Nature’s Beauty:

1st Place: Shannon Kennedy, “Mama Rhino“, South Africa

2nd Place: Jeong Min Lee, “Autumn in Korea“, Korea

3rd Place: Melissa Gold, “Goodbye, Quingdao“, China

Honorable Mention: Caroline Sherrer, “Iridescence at Iguazu“, Argentina

People:

1st Place: Michael Albinger, “Nice Cliff Jump“, France

2nd Place: Cody Fenison, “Peace at the Feet of Nature’s Fury“, Indonesia

3rd Place: Seonhong Kim, “A Girl“, Cambodia

Honorable Mention: Caroline Sherrer, “From the Inside Looking Out“, Peru

Reflections:

1st Place: Meghan Benavides, “Metro Home“, Taiwan

2nd Place: Cody Fenison, “Old China/New China“, China

3rd Place: Bryan van Alebeek, “The Beach“, The Netherlands

Honorable Mention: Shannon Kennedy, “Mariko Sundowner,” South Africa

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

Caroline Sherrer, “From the Inside Looking Out“, Peru

“The Lama” by Serana Dotson-Smith, China

“Santa Semana: Holy Week Procession” by Herb Gunn, Guatemala

“Countryside Hospitality” by Cody Fenison, Indonesia

“Oasis” by Reid Gudger, Hong Kong

“Mama Rhino” by Shannon Kennedy, South Africa

“Autumn in Korea” by Jeong Min Lee, Korea

“Iridescence at Iguazu” by Caroline Sherrer, Argentina

“Nice Cliff Jump” by Michael Albinger, France

“Peace at the Feet of Nature’s Fury” by Cody Fenison, Indonesia

“A Girl” by Seonhong Kim, Cambodia

“From the Inside Looking Out” by Carolina Sherrer, Peru

“The Metro Home” by Megan Benavides, Taiwan

“Old China/New China” by Cody Fenison, China

“The Beach” by Bryan van Alebeek, The Netherlands

“Mariko Sundowner” by Shannon Kennedy, South Africa

2015 Winners

Winners by Category

Cross Cultural Moments:

1st Place: Brianna Ganskopp, “Holi“, India

2nd Place: Annelise Ferry, “The Shoemakers“, Nicaragua

3rd Place: Grace McLeod, “A Stroll Through Soweto“, South Africa

Honorable Mention: Emily Powell, “Easter Sunday“, Spain

Nature’s Beauty:

1st Place: Michaela Hall, “Swiss Alps“, Italy

2nd Place: Sarah Smith, “Tunnel Vision“, Scotland

3rd Place: Brooke Farmer, “Reflecting at Quilatoa“, Ecuador

Honorable Mention: Alexandra Helms, “Snowdonia National Park“, Wales

People:

1st Place: Travis Bordley, “Saimi and Alma“, Finland

2nd Place: Herbert Gunn, “The Community Pila“, Guatemala

3rd Place: Anna Gachechiladze, “Accordian Man“, Ireland

Honorable Mention: Lauren Watson, “Toy Car“, Mozambique

Reflections:

1st Place: Anna Gachechiladze, “Industrial Burial Ground“, Denmark

2nd Place: Forest Wallingford, “En Pige og Hendes Hund Pa Bugten“, Denmark

3rd Place: Lauren Watson, “Hope“, Mozambique

Honorable Mention: Grace McLeod, “Crossing Paths with the Last Unicorns,” South Africa

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

Sarah Smith, “Tunnel Vision“, Scotland

“Holi” by Brianna Ganskopp, India

“The Shoemakers” by Annelise Ferry, Nicaragua

“A Stroll Through Soweto” by Grace McLeod, South Africa

“Easter Sunday” by Emily Powell, Spain

“Swiss Alps” by Michaela Hall, Italy

“Tunnel Vision” by Sarah Smith, Scotland

“Reflecting at Quilatoa” by Brooke Farmer, Ecuador

“Snowdonia National Park” by Alexandra Helms, Wales

“Saimi and Alma” by Travis Bordley, Finland

“The Community Pila” by Herbert Gunn, Guatemala

“Accordian Man” by Anna Gachechiladze, Ireland

“Toy Car” by Lauren Watson, Mozambique

“Industrial Burial Ground” by Anna Gachechiladze, Denmark

“En Pige og Hendes Hund Pa Bugten” by Forest Wallingford, Denmark

“Hope” by Lauren Watson, Mozambique

“Crossing Paths with the Last Unicorns” by Grace McLeod, South Africa

2014 Winners

Winners by Category

Cross Cultural Moments:

1st Place: Kimberly Tierney, “Tabaski Sacrifice“, Senegal

2nd Place: Thea Cohen, “Feliz Carnival“, Argentina

3rd Place: Andre Mileti, “A Pamplona Medic Rescues a Foreign Visitor“, Spain

Honorable Mention: Michaela Hall, “Washing Machine“, Morocco

Nature’s Beauty:

1st Place: Lacie Wallace, “Melting“, Switzerland

2nd Place: Anna Gachechiladze, “An Elephant Never Forgets“, Thailand

3rd Place: Tegan Consol, “Explosion“, Ecuador

Honorable Mention: Travis Bordley, “Farewell Torres“, Chile

People:

1st Place: Anna Gachechiladze, “Secrets“, Peru

2nd Place: Thea Cohen, “Aging with Metal“, Thailand

3rd Place: Asher Bernstein, “Rocket Stove“, Israel

Honorable Mention: Kimberly Tierney, “Djenne Market“, Mali

Reflections:

1st Place: Robbie Tepperberg, “Canterbury Earthquake Wreckage“, New Zealand

2nd Place: Kimberly Tierney, “Running Errands“, Mali

3rd Place: Anna Gachechiladze, “Young Monks“, Thailand

Honorable Mention: Gray Barrett, “Eye-Opener,” England

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

Anna Gachechiladze, “Secrets“, Peru

“Tabaski Sacrifice” by Kimberly Tierney, Senegal

“Feliz Carnival” by Thea Cohen, Argentina

“A Pamplona Medic Rescues a Foreign Visitor” by Andre Milleti, Spain

“Washing Machine” by Michaela Hall, Morrocco

“Melting” by Lacie Wallace, Switzerland

“An Elephant Never Forgets” by Anna Gachechiladze, Thailand

“Explosion” by Tegan Consol, Ecuador

“Farewell Torres” by Travis Bordley, Chile

“Secrets” by Anna Gachechiladze, Peru

“Aging With Metal” by Thea Cohen, Thailand

“Rocket Stove” by Asher Bernstein, Israel

“Dienne Market” by Kimberly Tierney, Mali

“Canterbury Earthquake Wreckage” by Robbie Tepperberg, New Zealand

“Running Errands” by Kimberly Tierney, Mali

“Young Monks” by Anna Gachechiladze, Thailand

“Eye Opener” by Gray Barrett, England

Take Your College Experience to the Next Level

100 Ramsey Library, CPO 1560
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
Office: 828.612-6530
ldobson@unca.edu

Office Hours

Tues and Thurs: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Friday: Scheduled appointments only

Explore Study Abroad Programs Prospective Students

International Photo Contest

What’s the point?

Who can take part?

Can I submit photos that were taken in other locations during my international travels?

How many photos should I submit and what are the categories?

What kind of photos should I submit?

What is the prize?

2024 Winners

Winners by Category

Nature’s Beauty

Cross-Cultural Moments

People

Reflections

Chancellor’s Purchase Award

2023 Winners

Winners by Category

Nature’s Beauty:

Cross Cultural:

People:

Reflections:

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

2020 Winners

Winners of the 2020 Photo Contest:

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

2019 Winners

Winners By Category

Cross Cultural:

Nature’s Beauty:

People:

Reflections:

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

2018 Winners

Winners by Category

Cross Cultural:

Nature’s Beauty:

People:

Reflections:

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

Chancellor’s Purchase Award Runners Up:

2017 Winners

Winners by Category

Cross Cultural:

Nature’s Beauty:

People:

Reflections:

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

2016 Winners

Winners by Category

Cross Cultural Moments:

Nature’s Beauty:

People:

Reflections:

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

2015 Winners

Winners by Category

Cross Cultural Moments:

Nature’s Beauty:

People:

Reflections:

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

2014 Winners

Winners by Category

Cross Cultural Moments:

Nature’s Beauty:

People:

Reflections:

Chancellor’s Purchase Award:

Take Your College Experience to the Next Level

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