Off Campus Study

Amy Cahill, '08
School for Field Studies: Kenya, Spring 2006
Maasai Train

This Maasai family was welcoming us into their boma (group of homes) by doing a chant and dance of sorts for us. After this ended, the men jumped high into the air and the women sang. This boma was in Amboseli, an area on the northern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Maggie Ambrose, '07
Advanced Studies in England: Bath, Spring 2006
Rome, Italy

The heart of ancient Rome lies in the center of the modern city. This picture was taken from the Palentine, a section of the city where only the aristocratic Romans were permitted. It is easy to imagine what the Roman Emperors must have seen and felt as they looked over their city: a place bustling with the finest people of their society, as well as people of all different creeds and nationalities, each having made the pilgrimage to see the greatest city of its time. The ruins of the center buildings, along with the Colosseum and the temples dedicated to the Gods and Goddesses each tell their own story, but together they show a world that was one of the foundations of modern society.

Kirsten Fell, '07
Lexia: Chiang Mai, Thailand, Spring 2006
Rice Patties, Thailand

These rice patties capture what it means to be in Southeast Asia. They are embedded to Thai culture and are seen almost everywhere. Rice is their staple food. Thai people eat rice with breakfast, lunch, dinner and desert.

Joseph Razo, '08
Institute for the International Education of Students: Barcelona, Fall 2006
Barcelona, Spain

Futbol Club Barcelona is considered the national team for Barcelona. Barcelona is part of a region of Spain called Cataluyna and they consider themselves as their own country. FC Barcelona's stadium, Camp Nou, is the biggest in Europe and is home to many superstars worldwide such as Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto'o.

Laura Daunis, '07
Arcadia CEA: Perugia, Spring 2006
Venezia, Italy

My first time ever to Venice and walking through St. Marks Square with my friends, I was able to capture a beautiful view of a sunset on the Grand Canal. The blues of the gondolas showed up nicely in this photo and really stood out boldly to me. It's not frequent that you find such peace in Venice, as I later discovered having visited twice more at different times. This photo is definitive of what most of us picture of Venice and it takes me back whenever I see it.

Catherine Mehta, '08
Institute for the International Education of Students: Granada, Fall 2006
Roman Ruins in Chellah, Morocco

I found this site particularly interesting because it was the ruins of a Roman church that had been built on top of a Muslim mosque, a common practice in Western religious conquest through the 15th Century. This was a topic that I studied in great depth in my classes on Islamic history in Northern Africa and Spain and Islamic art and architecture. It amazed me to see the overt juxtaposition of the two very different cultures. When I took this picture there was a typical Islamic call tower still standing behind me. The most stunning aspect of this photograph, however, is the bright purple of the flowers that had overtaken the ruins. I suppose they are unaware of the turmoil apparent in the remains of a cultural battle that persists today.

Naina Gonsalves, '08
Earlham College's Border Studies Program: Texas/Mexico, Fall 2006
Mexico/U.S. Border:

This photo was taken during a mass for Dia de los Muertos. The mass took place on the border with people both on the Mexican and U.S. side. It was held in remembrance of those who had died crossing the border. Each person held up a cross with the name of someone who had died crossing. It was absolutely amazing to see so many people on both sides of the fence coming together to remember their loved ones.

Alison Nitzsche, '07
School for International Training: South Africa, Spring 2006
Mkaba Village, South Africa

This picture was taken during my week-long rural homestay in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. During my stay I went to observe a local school. When the English teacher didn't show up, one of the teachers asked me to teach the class; which ended up being both challenging and eye-opening. I think this photograph captures the playfulness of the students, who are all obviously eager to have their photograph taken. Despite the conditions under which many of them came from--getting up early in the morning to do chores and then walking a mile to school, oftentimes without eating breakfast--they were still happy and full of life.

Patrick Hamilton, '08
Council on International Educational Exchange: Nanjing, Fall 2006
Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, China

This photo depicts the pristine and vastly untouched Central Asian landscapes of Western China. The picture was taken on the Karakorum Highway, a road stretching from Mongolia all the way into Pakistan. This location is just a mere 60 km from China's border with Kyrgyzstan, and someone even offered to take us into Pakistan by camel. The only reason I refused was because I had to get back to my classes in Nanjing.

Lauren Parsons, '07
New York Arts Program: New York City, Fall 2006
Liberty Island, New York

I had been to New York many times, but in all my trips, I never visited Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty. I put this at the top of my list of things to see. I had the day off from work on Halloween and decided to take a trip down to Battery Park to catch the ferry to the island. This picture was taken from the statue's observation deck looking up. I love the contrast of the blue sky and the green tarnished copper.

Sarah Mitchiner, '08
Denmark's International Study Program: Copenhagen, Fall 2006
Terezin, Czech Rebublic

This picture is from Camp Terezin, a Nazi concentration camp I visited in the Czech Republic. This sign, "Arbeit Macht Frei" means "work shall set you free." This sign was in every concentration camp during WWII. It was a message to the prisoners telling them to keep up with their daily duties, and giving them false hope that they would be freed one day.

Anna Brandt, '08
School for International Training: Argentina, Fall 2006
Buenos Aires

The women in this photo are members of the organization called Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo. This organization consists of women whose children were "desaparecidos," people who were taken by members of the government during the military dictatorship in Argentina, which lasted from 1976-1983, and who were never found again. From the late 1970s until today, the mothers have marched every Thursday afternoon in front of La Casa Rosada, where the President of Argentina works. The theme of my study abroad program was Social Movements and Human Rights, so our group had learned a lot about what occurred during the military dictatorship and about Las Madres, so seeing them in person was very moving. I was especially touched by the "madre" in this picture. The white handkerchief on her head is actually the diaper of her missing son, a symbol of "Las Madres" and she is carrying a poster with information about her missing son.

Ashley Jones, '08
Minnesota Studies in International Development: Senegal, Fall 2006
Goree Island/Dakar, Senegal

The town and buildings of Goree Island are very different from any other place in the Dakar and its surrounding cities. Because the island is one of four different cities in Senegal that was designated official French cities (where the inhabitants were considered French citizens) at the time of the French colonization of Senegal, the architecture is characteristic of the French colonial style. The historical significance of Goree Island as the former center of the Atlantic slave trade has given the island a deeper meaning and reason to preserve its historical look, which, in turn, made it a phenomenal photographic subject.

Emily Dicke, '08
Institute for the International Education of Students: European Union, Spring 2006
Bad-Sackinggen, Germany

This photo is of a Carnivale parade in Germany. Carnivale is a public street celebration that takes place in February right before lent, similar to Mardi Gras in the U.S. The parade had 6,000 participants and lasted three hours. There is a myth that if you wear the small wooden square sold at the celebration that the monsters in the parade would leave you alone. So I wore the wooden square but I was still taken into the parade!

Chandra Leenheer, '08
Arcadia CEA: University of Otago, Fall 2006
Tunnel Beach, Dunedin, New Zealand

This is one of my favorite pictures from New Zealand (taken at Tunnel Beach, a place we had all heard of but realized just a couple of weeks towards the end of our time in Dunedin.) Pictured are five of my friends doing handstands in the sand as the tide crept out. My friends and I had been enjoying a relaxing afternoon picnic, recovering from Halloween fun the previous night, and decided to take a spur of the moment trip out to Tunnel Beach. Truly an astoundingly beautiful place to spend time with friends and watch the sun go down.

Vasare Ewert, '07
School for International Training: Morocco, Spring 2006
The Sahara Desert Near Merzouga, Morocco

Our brief trek into the Sahara on camels was one of the more "touristy" experiences in which my group participated, but it, like this view near sunset, was unforgettable. We were able to experience firsthand the awesome splendor of the desert that has been captured in dozens of Hollywood films, from Sahara to Hidalgo to Gladiator to Kingdom of Heaven.

Anne Barngrover, '08
Advanced Studies in England: Bath, Fall 2006
Tintern Abbey, United Kingdom

The first weekend in October our program took us on a residential weekend in Welsh Bicknor. Our first stop was at the inspirational Tintern Abbey. Although this medieval monastary proved to be a beautiful sight, we were unfortunate to have with us the most boring tour guide EVER--a fake monk that couldn't keep in character. Rather than pay attention to his endless rambling, my friend and I took tons of pictures inside the abbey and were thereafter deemed "the ASE paparazzi."

Elyse Peters-Arnold, '07
University of Wisconsin's College Year in India, Academic Year 2005/2006
Varanasi, India

This is a picture of the back of a rickshaw as well as a Muslim man biking while negotiating the chaotic roads and galis (narrow pathways) that are characteristic of provincial India. I like this picture because you can see the somehow calm expression of the man biking and the sides of buildings, signs, banners, etc. that grab one's eye and the layer of dust that covers the city. This picture was also taken in a primarily Muslim area of the city in which I lived, which is known as a Hindu stronghold.

Laura Hughes, '08
American University in Cairo, Fall 2006
Petra, Jordan

Over the Eid, I traveled to the famous city of Petra in Southern Jordan. After walking down a long road called the Siq, this incredible rose-colored building seemingly appeared out of no where. It took my breath away! This particular building is "The Treasury" and is carved out of solid mountain rock. At dusk, the whole city has a rose hue which is incredibly beautiful.

Halle Thompson, '07
American University Center of Provence: France, Spring 2006
Rousillon, France

I took this photo while hiking through the ochre quarry in Rousillon, a colorful village perched on a hill in the Luberon mountain range in Provence, France. In former days, the pigments in the soil, which vary in tone from bright yellow to orange to deep red, were mined for use in paint and other products. Now the quarry is a park, where visitors can marvel at the vibrant colors. On the day I was there, the sunlight intensified these shades and cast shadows that accentuated the contours of the land.

Kate Tlach, '08
Minnesota Studies in International Development: Ecuador, Fall 2006
Quito, Ecuador

To understand this photo, it is necessary to know where this clock is. It is at the very top of la Basilica (a large cathedral) in Quito. A few friends and I climbed to the very top so that we passed the clock and the bells and literally could not climb any higher. From here we could see the entire city of Quito.

Laurel Symes, '07
Organization for Tropical Studies: Costa Rica, Spring 2006
Ometepe, Nicaragua

This is a tailless whip scorpion that was on the sidewalk outside the hostel in Nicaragua. They are pretty harmless tree dwellers, but I am glad that I found this on the sidewalk and not in my bed! The white things are babies that it carries on its back. (I almost missed the bus taking this picture!)

Amy Cahill, '08
School for Field Studies: Kenya, Spring 2006
Hands

I love this photo because it shows so drastically the difference between our group of students and the local Maasai in Kenya. However, the coloring of the jewelry on both hands is very similar, kind of symbolizing some shared experience between these two totally different groups of people. This photo was taken at a Maasai wedding, so everyone was dressed very traditionally.

Amanda Styles, '08
Arcadia CEA: University of Wales, Fall 2006
Barcelona, Spain

Antoni Gaudi was a Spanish architect who had a unique impressionist design that he modeled most of Barcelona after. This picture always makes me laugh. It was taken on the roof of Casa Batllo, one of the many houses Gaudi remodeled during the late Victorian era. This photo reminds me of a Super Mario Brothers videogame, with the shells bracing the roof. The picture was taken at eye level, at the end of the tour. I love the way the roof curves almost like turtle shells were molded to the building.

Sandy Spence, Off-Campus Study
Institute for the International Education of Students Familiarization Trip: Amsterdam and Berlin, Spring 2006
Holocaust Memorial, Berlin

Not far from the Brandenburg Gate, on a patch of land sandwiched between the Cold War's East and West Berlin, stands the controversial Holocaust Memorial. The memorial's 2,700 stone plinths--each unique in size and shape--are surrounded with walkways which invite visitors to stroll through the abstract structure. There are no plaques, no words or symbols inscribed on the slabs of stone. Perhaps it was by design that when visitors enter the memorial they become one with it, find themselves surrounded by the imposing stones, yet left alone with their own thoughts about the senseless murders of so many Jewish men, women, and children.

James Rorimer '07
Arcadia CEA: University of Otago, Spring 2006
Fox Glacier, New Zealand

I took this picture while ascending Fox Glacier. Fox Glacier is one of only three glaciers in the world located in a rainforest. A second glacier, called Franz Joseph, is half an hour away. Although it looks solid, it flows a stunning 3 meters a day.

Kirsten Fell, '07
Lexia: Chiang Mai, Spring 2006
Siem Reap, Cambodia

Pictured here is the sunrise at Ankor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia. My family had come to visit and my mom made us wake up at 4:30 in the morning to watch this. I was annoyed to wake up that early at first, but boy was it worth it. This was the most beautiful sunrise/landscape I have ever seen. Ankor Wat is also known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and was an incredible trip.

Stephanie Roach, '08
School for Field Studies: Turks and Caicos, Fall 2006
Long Cay Island, South Caicos

Even after the forty-five minute swim it took us to get to Long Cay, a small island off the coast of South Caicos, my friends and I could not get enough of the water. Cliff jumping into the water below and then essentially rock climbing back to the top of Long Cay was one of the most memorable times of the semester for many of us.

Catherine Mehta, '08
Institute for the International Education of Students: Granada, Fall 2006
A Monument to Peace at the Champ de Mars, Paris

This strikes me as a particularly important statement in the context of present international unrest. It is a poignant expression of peace embracing all languages and cultures, and its position with respect to the national symbol of the Eiffel Tower speaks to the national support of this statement in France, a statement that should be spread internationally.

Laura Pippenger, '07
Minnesota Studies in International Development: Ghana, Spring 2006
New Ningo, Ghana

I took this picture during a retreat sponsored and planned by the employees of my internship site, a community organization that teaches methods of community organizing and money management to people in poor communities, mainly residents of slums in Ghana. I was laughing with this little boy because we were both really hungry and peaking over the wall to watch the women of the village cook on the other side. I chose this photo because not only is it my favorite of the thousands that I took, but it really embodies the curiosity of Ghanaians, for anything. I learned a lot from the people that I interacted with while studying there, becoming more and more inquisitive.

Halle Thompson, '07
American University Center of Provence: France, Spring 2006
Bruges, Belgium

After arriving exhausted in Bruges and finding our hostel during spring break, my friends and I decided to explore the city before going to bed. That was perhaps the best decision of our trip. We wandered the quiet city streets and soon found ourselves mesmerized by the lit buildings which cast their reflections in the enchanted stillness of the canals.

Kate Tlach, '08
Minnesota Studies in International Development: Ecuador, Fall 2006
Cotacachi, Ecuador

This photo is significant to me because it reminds me of how strong the women in the community I lived are. They carried everything on their back from children to metal canisters of gasoline. I remember one time I was with a woman of about 60 who put a very heavy bag of green beans and a metal canister on her back, both of which were difficult for me to carry separately. They were continually doing work around the house and never complained. In this photo the woman is a very old woman who is not wearing shoes, yet she continues doing her daily chores.

Ashley Jones, '08
Minnesota Studies in International Development: Senegal, Fall 2006
Toubacouta/Saloum Delta, Senegal

This picture was taken during a weekend field trip with our professors to the National Park of the Saloum Delta in the region to the south of Dakar, Senegal. Here we participated in different conservation projects with Senegalese students from the university in Dakar, which included a mangrove reforestation project. We traveled by pirogue boats (pictured here) to a site where we picked the mangrove pods, which we later planted in areas where the mangroves have stopped growing.

Stephanie Roach, '08
School for Field Studies: Turks and Caicos, Fall 2006
Sandy Point, Long Cay Island in South Caicos

Some of my final days on South Caicos were spent on beaches and in the water with friends enjoying the last moments of island lifestyle. I took this photo looking back at a group of friends sitting in the shallow waters surrounding Sandy Point on Long Cay.

Lauren Parsons, '07
New York Arts Program: Fall 2006
Central Park, New York City

I was taking a walk through Central Park one beautiful November day and I stopped to capture this scene. It was so beautiful and serene. In a city of seven million people, it is amazing to see a place like Central Park, where one may escape from the noise and chaos of the city. I love the colors of the tree leaves and flowers- purely Fall. I also love how there is no one in the photo, only emptiness.

Laura Daunis, '07
Arcadia CEA: Perugia, Spring 2006
On "the steps" in Perugia, Italia

To me, this photo represents the diversity and colorful people whom I interacted with on a day-to-day basis living in Perugia. My apartment was about a block or two away from these steps and I used to walk to my favorite deli, Parma, and buy a sandwich to eat with my friends on these steps between classes or during "la pausa." An avid fan of people watching, the steps were the place in Perugia to meet, grab a gelato and enjoy a nice view of the famous fountain and busiest street in Perugia.

Anne Barngrover, '08
Advanced Studies in England: Bath, Fall 2006
Scottish Highlands, Scotland

One of my best experiences during my semester in the UK was a six-day youth bus tour throughout Scotland that my friends and I took during fall break. To me this picture represents all the beauty, majesty and history of the Scottish Highlands. I was truly captivated by the colors of the land and all the stories of freedom fought and won in this amazing country.

Chandra Leenheer, '08
Arcadia CEA: University of Otago, Fall 2006
The Routeburn Track, New Zealand

This picture is from my final tramping trip in New Zealand, on the Routeburn Track- one of New Zealand's four great walks. On our second day of the trip, after finding out that continuing on the main track could led us in to avalanche territory, we decided to explore the surrounding areas of the hut where we were staying. This is a self-timed picture of my friend Olivia and me at "the edge of the world." This trip was significant for us because it was our last together. We had met in the LA airport randomly, ended up being neighbors and becoming best friends during our time abroad.

Vasare Ewert, '07
School for International Training: Morocco, Spring 2006
Fez or Meknes, Morocco

This was taken on a whirlwind weekend tour of four dynasties represented by four different cities: Fez, Meknes, Volubilis, and Moulay Idriss. This view from a road high on a nearby mountain shows how different cities in Morocco are from so-called "Western"cities--no skyscrapers, but instead, thousands of closely spaced low white buildings. This picture reminds me of what my home in Rabat, in the old walled portion of the city, looked and felt like.

Elyse Peters-Arnold, '07
University of Wisconsin's College Year in India: Academic Year, 2005/2006
Rishi Kesh, India

This is a picture of me wading in the Ganges River in Northern India. In Varanasi, where I lived, the Ganges is too polluted for Westerners to wade or swim. But in Rishi Kesh, the water is clean and clear as if it has just emerged from out of the foothills of the Himalayas. Rivers are very significant in Hinduism and Indian culture more broadly and the Ganges is arguably the most revered river in North India as it is considered both a life-giving natural resource and goddess.

Sandy Spence, Off-Campus Study
Institute for the International Education of Students Familiarization Trip: Amsterdam and Berlin, Spring 2006
Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse, The Netherlands

The legend of Holland's tulips is alive and vibrant in this beautiful flower garden in Lisse, just 30 minutes outside of Amsterdam by train. Visitors are treated to acres of blooming flowers--seven million tulips and daffodils--strategically planted and nurtured by expert landscapers. One could spend an entire day strolling through Keukenhof enjoying nature's finest eye candy.

Sarah Mitchiner, '08
Denmark's International Study Program: Copenhagen, Fall 2006
Prague, Czech Republic

While exploring the beautiful city of Prague, we passed this man playing his violin on the street. One of my favorite things about exploring European cities was watching street musicians perform. Anytime the sun was shining, violinists, quartets, guitarists, and singers would set up along popular pedestrian streets and play their music. This man, in particular, stood out to me because it was below freezing and he was still out playing despite the cold weather. It was a breath of fresh air to walk by and listen to him.

Laura Hughes, '08
American University in Cairo: Fall, 2006
Luxor, Egypt

Towards the end of my time in Cairo, I was able to take an overnight train to "Upper Egypt" in the Southern part of the country to Luxor, home to Valley of the Kings and the Temples of Luxor and Karnak. This picture is the entrance to Luxor Temple and depicts ancient hieroglyphs and statues. The Temple was beautiful at night, everything was glowing!

Patrick Hamilton, '08
Council on International Educational Exchange: Nanjing, Fall 2006
HuNanLu, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China

I chose this photo because its contents are in keeping with the architectural and stylistic contrasts that exist in modern China. This is a shopping district not far from my dorm in Nanjing, and I would often go there to eat Indian food or Sushi. I was shocked when I first saw the lights of this street; I had previously thought Nanjing to be a small town with not much in the way of flashy architecture.

Naina Gonsalves, '08
Earlham College's Border Studies Program: Texas/Mexico, Fall 2006
Juarez, Mexico

This photo was taken when Subcomandante Marcos, one of the spokespeople of the Zapatista movement, came to Juarez. There was a huge demonstration that was publicized all over Juarez and El Paso, and people from both sides met on the middle of one of the international bridges. There were police and border patrol officers everywhere and the bridge had to be shut down.

Caitlin Morris, '07
Institute for the International Education of Students: Tokyo, Spring 2006
Tokyo, Japan

While studying in Japan, I joined the tea ceremony club at my university. This is a picture of myself and the other new members. These people became my close friends, and I still keep in contact with them.

Larianna Dunn, '08
Arcadia CEA: Perugia, Fall 2006
Monterosso, Cinque Terre, Italy

In the north of Italy, along the Italian Riveria, lies Cinque Terre. I think it is the most unique place in all of Europe, as it is composed of five small towns in one, all connected through various hiking trails. The water is as smooth as glass and the rock beaches are amazing. I love this picture because after a hard day of hiking the expert trails (on accident), my friends and I were able to relax on the water until the sun went down.

Emily Dicke, '07
Institute for the International Education of Students: European Union, Spring 2006
Budapest, Hungary

The photo was taken from Gellert Hill where the Hungarian Liberty Statue is located. I chose this photo because it shows the Danube River splitting the city with beautiful lights.

Catherine Mehta, '08
Institute for the International Education of Students: Granada, Fall 2006
Bread-baking in The Rif Mountains, Morocco

I had the great fortune to spend the afternoon with this charming family in rural Morocco. One of the best moments was watching Fatima make bread. She simply squatted in front of their oven (her mother is sitting behind her against the wall), that her husband made and used a stick from the ground to poke holes in each loaf of bread. She placed about seven loaves in the oven at a time and they baked in no time. In no more that 15 minutes she had finished about 15 loaves of bread, baked to perfection. Then we had the opportunity of tasting the bread which was, of course, the best part!

Stephanie Roach, '08
School for Field Studies: Turks and Caicos, Fall 2006
Turks Island Passage, Caribbean Sea

When studying marine biology on a remote island in the Caribbean, scuba dives to examine marine life become quite the routine. This photo was taken toward the end of a research dive looking up at a few members of my dive group who had already surfaced.

Laura Pippenger, '07
Minnesota Studies in International Development: Ghana, Spring 2006
"Cultural" Village in the Volta Region, outside of Accra, Ghana

This is a picture of a resident of the village that houses an outdoor monkey sanctuary. As we, the tourists, walked through his village he just watched, certainly amused, as we passed. It was such an amazing picture opportunity and I was delighted when he agreed to have his picture taken. I was always in awe of my surroundings while traveling throughout Ghana, and people everywhere were curious about me. Each picture seems to say that in a slightly different way, including the old curiosity and bemusement I would guess, of the elderly gentleman in the window.

Amanda Styles, '08
Arcadia CEA: University of Wales, Swansea, Fall 2006
Edinburgh, Scotland

This is one of the pictures that I look at most frequently because I feel like I am about to enter a Harry Potter book. This picture was taken from the famous Elephant Cafe where J.K. Rolling wrote Harry Potter and where cafe guests get a good look at Edinburgh Castle. The cafe is also known for their famous short-bread elephant cookies and great soups. I love this picture because it reminds me of a bitter cold day with many wonderful memories attached.

Caitlin Morris, '07
Institute for the International Education of Students: Tokyo, Spring 2006
Tokyo, Japan

This is a picture of my host mother and sister and myself and was taken during the Narita Drum Festival. This was my first weekend I spent with my host family.

Amy Cahill, '08
School for Field Studies: Kenya, Spring 2006
Wet Drive to Tsavo

When it rains in Kenya, it POURS. We spent a lot of time during the wet season driving through rivers that had formed in the dirt roads, and getting stuck in water and mud. I learned how to change a tire really fast! This particular "river" was in Tsavo, a huge arid, desolate national park in eastern Kenya.

Halle Thompson, '07
American University Center of Provence: Aix-en-Provence, Spring 2006
Aix-en-Provence, France

While enjoying the view atop Aix-en-Provence's Sainte Victoire mountain, which is depicted numerous times in the paintings of Paul Cezanne, who called Aix home for much of his life, I was struck by this unknown fellow-climber. Seated precariously on the rock, he was examining a map as he looked out over the valley, almost as if he had made the two and a half hour ascent merely to figure out where he was! The photo reminds me of the exhilaration I felt while seeing new vistas and having diverse experiences in a foreign country, while attempting to process everything. Navigating a second culture sometimes felt like trying to understand the expanse of the valley around Ste. Victoire with a 2D paper map, but the "view" was always worth it!

Anne Barngrover, '08
Advanced Studies in England: Bath, Fall 2006
Isle of Skye, Scotland

We stopped at this little coastal town of Plocton on the Isle of Skye during our third day on our Scotland tour. I remember feeling complete tranquility here as we "took a wee nosy" throughout the docks of this little fog-bound town that morning, watching the sun rise and the fishing boats drift peacefully in their harbors.

Maggie Ambrose, '07
Advanced Studies in England: Bath, Spring 2006
Salisbury, England

This picture of Stonehenge emphasizes the mystery and solitude that surrounds the stones. The circle itself is found in the middle of an open plain in Salisbury, raising two questions that have never fully been answered: why was it built in this seemingly random location, and how did the builders transport the stones to this location? Historians have discussed and debated this topic, but it seems that the mystery of Stonehenge will never be fully solved.

Alison Nitzsche, '07
School for International Training: South Africa, Spring 2006
Bo-Kaap, Cape Town

Bo-Kaap, known for its colorful streets, is a predominately Muslim neighborhood in Cape Town. I spent a week there living with a South African Muslim family. I chose this picture, not only for its vibrancy, but also to illustrate the diversity of South Africa. South Africa, which is rapidly urbanizing like many other African countries, has a high population of Indians as well as Malays who occupy the diverse cityscape. Cape Town has several lively neighborhoods such as Bo-Kaap, with low crime rates and relatively stable infrastructure. I think this photograph also captures the magnificence of Table Mountain, which encapsulates Cape Town and whose presence is always felt.

Lauren Parsons, '07
New York Arts Program: Fall 2006
Guggenheim Museum, New York City

My friend visited me the last week I was in New York. She wanted to see all the art museums, so I saved them all for her visit. Our first stop was the Guggenheim Museum, home to some of the world's most famous modern art. The art was beautiful, but I found the architectural design breathtaking. It makes me appreciate Frank Lloyd Wright even more.

Laura Hughes, '08
American University in Cairo: Egypt, Fall 2006
Cairo, Egypt

The Sphinx and the Pyramids at Giza are the quintessential images of Egypt. This picture was taken on my second day in Cairo, in 104 degree heat! The Sphinx and the Pyramids are just 15 minutes from downtown Cairo and are truly impressive, covering a very large area. This picture is a close shot of the Sphinx's head with the Great Pyramid in the background.

Catherine Mehta, '08
Institute for the International Education of Students: Granada, Fall 2006
Congregating Swans, Lake Zurich, Switzerland

I was enchanted with the grace and beauty of the swans in Switzerland, and fortunately for me, they were everywhere! This was a perfectly sunny day in Zurich, though cold, and the swans were resting peacefully on the water as the setting sun sparkled upon the gentle waves. I didn't believe that the beauty of this moment could be captured on film, but this photograph nearly does it justice.

Sandy Spence, Off-Campus Study
Institute for the International Education of Students Familiarization Trip: Amsterdam and Berlin, Spring 2006
The Dam, Amsterdam

While taking in the sights on foot in Amsterdam I made my way to Dam Square where the rather imposing Royal Palace rests near souvenir shops and the National Monument. The palace serves as the official home of Queen Beatrix and is used for various state functions. I found it quite surprising that this carnival fun house was set up right in front of this royal residence as if poking fun at the palace itself--just another example of Amsterdam's tolerance, and free thinking attitude.

Chandra Leenheer, '08
Arcadia CEA: University of Otago, Fall 2006
Fox Glacier, New Zealand

After an 8-hour drive, our two car team arrived at Fox Glacier around 1:30 am in the pouring rain and tried to find a place to camp. We awoke in the morning to find our "camp site" was actually a river bed. It was just the beginning of a wet, wet weekend. Our hike to follow up the Copland Track was 7 hours of being poured on from the heavens above, crossing rivers, climbing up waterfalls, and facing the perils of slippery rocks and swing bridges. Most of us arrived at our destination hut to find our backpacks and belongings soaked. Relaxing in natural hot pools surrounded by mountains and water- falls, a surreal and Jurassic-like scene, made the entire experience the most rewarding of my time abroad, however. This picture captures just one of the beautiful views along the Copland track.

Patrick Hamilton, '08
Council on International Educational Exchange: Nanjing, Fall 2006
Xi'An, Shaanxi Province, China

I chose this photo because I feel that it is a good visual representation of the juxtaposition of new and old in China. In the background one can see a large drum pagoda from the Tang Dynasty, when Xi'an (formerly Chang'an) was the largest and most culturally diverse city in the world. To the right is a colossal shopping mall displaying strikingly modern architectural design.

Laurel Symes, '07
Organization for Tropical Studies: Costa Rica, Spring 2006
Reserva Biologica Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica

Each year, these land crabs migrate down to the coast with the first rains following the four month dry season. They mate and the females incubate eggs until the next rain. On this single night, nearly all of the adult female crabs walk into the surf and release eggs that will develop as part of the plankton. We were in class and could hear the crabs walking through the dead leaves. This picture was taken at high tide (4:15 am) with a full moon.

Vasare Ewert, '07
School for International Training: Morocco, Spring 2006
Marrakech, Morocco

This photo of Djemma El Fna at sunset was taken on the first day of my solo visit to this stunning city in the south of Morocco. At left, just off the square famous for its performers, is the Koutoubia Minaret. This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite photos from my entire trip and seeing the square and the minaret bring back many great memories of the area I spent two weeks doing research and living in.

Laura Daunis, '07
Arcadia CEA: Perugia, Spring 2006
Athens, Greece

I chose this photo because it was one of my favorite trips during my time abroad. I love the perspective I had in this photo of the Greek architecture. I remember taking this photo because the day was so clear and it was such a beautiful view. The mountains in the background I had just climbed down from when I had viewed the Pantheon and I recall seeing this white temple (Hephaistos Temple in the Athenian Agora) from up above.

Emily Dicke, '07
Institute for the International Education of Students: European Union, Spring 2006
Frankfurt, Germany

This photo is of the Euro sign right outside of the European Central Bank, one of the institutions of the European Union. In the background you can see a skyscraper, part of Frankfurt's skyline, unique to a European town!

James Rorimer '07
Arcadia CEA: University of Otago, Spring 2006
Queenstown, New Zealand

Pictured here is the sunrise reflecting on mountains. It was taken on the side of the road while driving towards Queenstown. New Zealand is the first country to see the sun at the beginning of every new day.

Sarah Mitchiner, '08
Denmark's International Study Program: Copenhagen, Fall 2006
Marseille, France

When standing at the highest point in the town of Marseille, I took this picture looking out at the Mediterranean. It seemed out of place to have a soccer field in the middle of this beautiful paradise, but at the same time, soccer (football) is such a big part of European culture. All I was thinking at this moment was how much I wanted to run down the hill and kick a ball around.

Elyse Peters-Arnold, '07
University of Wisconsin's College Year in India: Academic Year, 2005/2006
Khajuraho, India

This picture shows three statues of Hindu deities in the foreground, two goddesses surrounding an image of Shiva in his Nataraja form. These particular images are being sold in a store and seem to be intended for foreigners. Religious images, primarily statues, are important in Hinduism as they are revered not simply as representations of the divine but as being containers of the deity as well. There are innumerable ritual practices in which priests must engage in order to consecrate the image after it has been made by an artist in order to invite the deity to reside temporarily in the image. By contrast though, these images are commercial and not intended for ritual purposes, etc.

Kate Tlach, '08
Minnesota Studies in International Development: Ecuador, Fall 2006
Cotacachi, Ecuador

This photo is taken at an assembly in which many indigenous women from near communities came to discuss topics that they would later bring to the regional assembly. Topics included access to drinkable water, allowing the local fair to continue where they could sell their produce, and improving nutrition for children. It was in these meetings where I was able to understand their everyday realities as well as their struggles to improve them.

Larianna Dunn, '08
Arcadia CEA: Perugia, Fall 2006
Perugia, Italy

This picture was taken directly out of the window of my bedroom. I actually got to witness numerous sunsets and a couple of sunrises even more beautiful than this, all from the comfort of lying in my bed. The rolling mountains in the distance were visible all around the city, but at sunset the view from my bed was everyone's favorite. Anyone who studies in Perugia can witness this beautiful sunset every evening for nearly four months.

Anna Brandt, '08
School for International Training: Argentina, Fall 2006
Suripujio, Argentina

While studying abroad I spent most of the time living in Buenos Aires, a city of 10 million people. However, one of the components of my program was a rural homestay. During my homestay I lived with a family in a very small pueblo called Suripujio, which was very close to the border of Bolivia. My homestay experience turned out to be one of my favorite parts of my study abroad experience, partly because the way of life in this village was completely different from the way of life in Buenos Aires. This picture was taken after I had walked to the top of the hill in the village with my host brother and another person in my program. From this hill you could see the entire village, as well as the mountains of both Chile and Bolivia in the distance.

Laurel Symes, '07
Organization for Tropical Studies: Costa Rica, Spring 2006
Near Las Cruces Biological Station, Costa Rica

We were measuring insect diversity in a banana plantation when we discovered this insect. Although it looks dangerous, it is actually a moth!

Caitlin Morris, '07
Institute for the International Education of Students: Tokyo, Spring 2006
Yoyogi Park, Harajuku

This is a picture of a Harujuku girl and myself. Every Sunday, young people dressed in unusual fashions go to Yoyogi Park in Harajuku.

Laura Pippenger, '07
Minnesota Studies in International Development: Ghana, Spring 2006
Village outside of Accra, Ghana

I traveled to this village with the director of my internship to investigate a boat crash and the deaths of fifty people from the community. I was sitting on a porch with the town's leaders (the mayor and town council members) and this young boy stopped, looked at me, and just starred. I grabbed my camera and shot a quick picture--not ever expecting such beautiful composition and lighting. What a pose too! I chose this picture for these reasons: composition, light, color, and for his attitude.

Anna Brandt, '08
School for International Training: Argentina, Fall 2006
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Before traveling to Argentina, I had heard that Argentineans were very passionate about soccer, but I did not get a true feel for this passion until I attended soccer games while living in Buenos Aires. This picture was taken at a game featuring Boca Juniors, the most popular team in Buenos Aires. The game was not held at the home stadium of Boca Juniors, but instead at a very small stadium right outside of Buenos Aires. I attended the game with one of my friends from my study abroad program, and it was raining the entire day, including throughout the game. This, however, did not diminish the passion of the Boca fans one bit. The intensity of the Boca fans, even at an away game in the pouring rain, was unbelievable. The atmosphere of the game was also intensified by the fact that the home and away fans were separated by bullet-proof glass and riot police.

Kirsten Fell, '07
Lexia: Chiang Mai, Spring 2006
Thailand

I like this picture because I think the saffron on the monks robes compliments the ruins of the temple in the back very well. Ninety-five percent of Thai people are Buddhist and the religion is regarded as one of their main priorities. Monks are extremely well respected; however they cannot be touched by women. I took this picture and as I got closer to take the picture, they stepped further away. I am happy to have captured this close of a picture.

Ashley Jones, '08
Minnesota Studies in International Development: Senegal, Fall 2006
Toubacouta/Saloum Delta, Senegal

This photo was taken as the sun was setting. The young boy in the foreground was playing soccer with us. His ball was completely flat, but he was still having a wonderful time playing with it. Unbeknownst to me at the time I took this picture, there is a woman finishing up her day's work behind the boy. Although he was clearly the subject of my picture, when the woman saw me taking pictures he profusely scolded me saying, "No photo! No photo!"