Off Campus Study

Allison Meuhlenbeck, '06
Butler University: University of Sussex, Fall '04
Toledo Spain

This photo was taken on the outskirts of Toledo, Spain--a city about an hour south of Madrid. Prior to starting at the University of Sussex, my mother and I traveled extensively through Spain and Portugal. Toledo was one of the gems we discovered along the way. It is a city incredibly rich with history and classical Spanish flair. This beautiful, medieval bridge once served as the protective entrance to the original capital of Spain and remains a functional road today. The bridge is one of my favorite photographs as it displays the practical charm and beauty of old Spain.

Mary Shelton, '05
Wells College: Florence, Spring '04
Neuschwanstein Castle outside of Munich, Germany

Known as "The New Castle," Neuschwanstein was built by King Ludwig II in Bavaria between 1869 and 1886. It is one of three castles built by Ludwig. After he lost sovereign power to Prussia, Ludwig decided to build his own kingdom. He was drawn into a fantasy world where he stayed in the mountains in his castles, sleeping in the daytime and staying awake at night. He barred strangers from entering his castles and in his will wished for them to be destroyed upon his death so that no one else could see the world in which he lived. Certified as insane, Ludwig II died in 1886, leaving the most of the inside of Neuschwanstein unfinished.

Emily Utt, '06
Arcadia CEA: University of Macquarie, Fall '04
Sydney, Australia

I took this photo on one of my first trips into the city, soon after sunset, to capture the breathtaking images of the Sydney skyline at night with the famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House in the background. Being located right on the water, Sydney nightlife often includes cruises around the Harbour, offering great views of the area.

Bill Froehlich, '06
Kent State University: Geneva, Fall '04
Swiss Alps, Switzerland

I was surrounded by views similar to this while skiing on a crystal clear November day 3000 meters (2 miles) above sea level in the middle of the Swiss Alps. In this photo you can see for miles, where just one day earlier blizzard conditions limited the visibility to about 100 feet. This photo was taken from Glacier 3000 in the 'les Diablerets' region of the Swiss Alps, which in translation means devil's peaks. As I took this photo, I was thankful to be surrounded by such natural beauty.

Carrie Weaver, '06
Castle Rock Institute: North Carolina, Fall '04
Climbing Apparatus at Castle Rock Institute

Castle Rock Institute resides on the campus of Rock Brook Summer Camp. Students live in a family-style house surrounded by 200 acres of woods. The campus has a variety of rustic cabins and camp buildings. The rope climbing apparatus pictured here is suspended across a small man-made pond on the hillside. Playing around on this structure was a favorite way to spend our free time.

Jennifer Pecorella, '06
Wells College: Florence, Fall '04
Fruit Market in Sienna, Italy

Walking through the small winding streets of Sienna, I stumbled upon this quaint fruit market and was immediately drawn to the colors and arrangements of the spices and fruits. An image such as this is what might come to mind as one imagines the lovely sights and characteristics of Italy.

Dan Hughes, '05
Butler University: James Cook University, Spring '04
Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville, Queensland

The Billabong Sanctuary is a cool petting zoo-like place where people interact with and learn about native Australian animals. The koala grabs onto people just like it would a tree. The koalas at the Billabong are tame and don't sleep as much as wild koalas, so they are awake for people to look at and hold. The workers feed them a high-powered energy supplement that gives them the extra energy they need to be more active.

Eric Meyers, '05
New York University: Madrid, Spring '04
Atocha Train Station, Madrid

This memorial, set up outside the Atocha Train Station in Madrid, captures the sentiment that followed the terrorist bombing that took place in the city on March 11, 2004. I was studying in Madrid at the time of the attack and found the memorial simple, yet powerful. The tragedy will remain an important event in Spanish and world history.

Casey Flax, '06
Institute for the International Education of Students: Edinburgh, Fall '04
Oban, Scotland

This photo encompasses the many qualities of Scotland all in one picture: the dreary weather, interesting architecture, elderly population and narrow, winding roads. Oban is usually a busy port-town, especially during the tourist season, but I was there during the off-season, enabling me to get a taste of the culture and personality of the town and its residents.

Mary Shelton, '05
Wells College: Florence, Spring '04
Eiffel Tower, Paris

This photo was taken from Sacre Coeur, one of the highest points in Paris. The Eiffel Tower was built in 1887-89 for the Worlds Fair and was to be demolished upon completion of the fair. When locals discovered that the Tower acted as a radio antenna, the decision was made to keep the Tower. It is positioned near the Seine River and is among many of the most important places in Paris. Parisians view the Tower with mixed feelings. They either love it or hate it. We love it!

Carrie Weaver, '06
Castle Rock Institute: North Carolina, Fall '04
Mt. Cook, Southern Alps of New Zealand

Our last day in New Zealand was spent at the base of this amazing mountain. We were not able to climb very far up, but the short hike that we were able to do was very refreshing. In my mind, this picture is the ideal image of Mt. Cook. The boardwalk disappears into the magnificent beauty of the mountain.

Niklas Follin, '08
International Student, Sweden
Hemavan, Sweden

This picture was taken outside of Hemavan, Sweden just a few miles south of the Arctic Circle. The people in the picture are part of the NBC specialist platoon of the Swedish Army where I served in August, 2003. As the platoon photographer, I documented many of our common exercises. These areas of Sweden, called fjells, are sub-arctic and mountainous. Because of a sliding layer of ice more than two miles thick that covered Sweden during the last ice age, none of the mountains are really high or have peaks. Instead of referring to them as mountains, we call them fjells. Summer in the fjells is short--about 1-1/2 months--but the days are long. During a couple of weeks each summer the sun never sets in these areas. Winter, on the other hand, stretches from October to April.

Kristina Mead, Assistant Professor
Department of Biology, Australia, Fall '04
The Remarkable Rocks of Kangaroo Island, Australia

This image shows the Remarkable Rocks, a naturally sculpted outcropping of rock on Kangaroo Island, Australia. These rocks are very weirdly shaped, and they are unlike any other formation around them. They had a strange, almost otherworldly beauty. It was impossible to keep from climbing them.

Zoe Klein, '06
Butler University: University of Middlesex, Fall '04
Moulin Rouge, Paris

This photo was taken at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. After seeing the movie Moulin Rouge, I wanted to see the real place. While it was a lot smaller than I had imaged, the lights and the architecture of the building were amazing. I especially liked the giant windmill. Taking pictures inside the building or during the show were prohibited. My friends and I planned our trip to Paris in hopes of seeing a show at the Moulin Rouge, which we were able to do. It was an incredibly experience.

Karin Effland, '05
Council on International Educational Exchange: Nanjing, Spring '04
Nanjing, China

While studying abroad in Nanjing, China, I visited an elementary school in the countryside about two hours outside of the city. We spent the afternoon visiting with these children. They were very excited to talk with us and asked lots of questions. We tried to them a few American games we had played as children, but after much confusion due to language barriers, we gave up and allowed them to teach us a game. I am still not really sure how to play it, but the kids seemed to really enjoy it.

Mary Shelton, '05
Wells College: Florence, Spring '04
Gondola Traffic Jam, Venice

Gondola rides can be very expensive and are used mainly by tourists. Locals use the waterbus system which is set up like any bus line, just on water! Ambulances are boats as well because cars are not allowed on the Venetian streets and must park outside the city.

David Hawkins, Assistant Professor, Department of Geology & Geography
New Zealand, Fall '04
Bird-of-Paradise (strelitzia reginae)

This photo was taken on the campus of the University of Auckland, North Island, New Zealand. This herb, which is native to South Africa, is a member of the Musaceae family (banana family). Its large blue and orange blossom resembles an exotic bird.

Julie Marks, '06
Arcadia CEA: University of Auckland, Fall '04
Milfred Sound, New Zealand

The fiord lands, found on the South Island on the west coast, are massive cuts in the coast made by glaciers. On this rainy, miserable day a wall of light broke through the clouds and created the most impressive site I've ever seen.