Each year, we invite AIFS students and recent alumni to participate in our Capture the Culture Photo Contest, giving them the opportunity to submit images that they think best, well, capture the culture during their study abroad, intern abroad, and volunteer abroad experiences around the world. Their beautiful photographs often evoke a sense of nostalgia for a particular time, experience, or place that helped to define their study abroad adventures overseas.
Thank you to all of the students who participated! Each year we receive so many incredible photos, and this year is no exception. Choosing just a few winners out of all the fantastic entries is always a difficult job, but we are pleased to finally announce our selections.
Without further ado, here are the 2019 Capture the Culture winners:
Grand Prize
Description: Best Overall. Well-rounded, quintessential study abroad picture.
Congratulations to Victoria Puglia from Lafayette College, who studied abroad with AIFS in Hyderabad, India in January Term 2019, on being awarded the Grand Prize for the AIFS Study Abroad Capture the Culture Photo Contest! Her colorful photograph capturing at an iconic Indian fort caught our attention and evoked the cultural richness of this amazing country.
Category: First Runner Up
Description: Well-rounded, quintessential study abroad picture.
Congratulations to Abigail Zwart from Bethel University, who studied abroad with AIFS in Stellenbosch, South Africa in January Term 2019! Capturing the AIFS group’s casual stroll through Bo Kaap, a neighborhood of Cape Town, Abigail perfectly depicted the vibrant colors and distinctive landscape of this unique area.
Category: Squad Goals
Description: Organized group shots of you and your study abroad pals.
Congratulations to Miley Hudson from San Diego State University, who spent Summer 2018 with AIFS in London, England. The photo she submitted of her and her friends on the steps of Atlantic House, the student residence, completely epitomizes #squadgoals.
Category: The People’s Champ
Description: We post our faves on Facebook and Instagram and the most popular wins!
Congratulations to Sirajul Momin Mustafa from Howard University, who studied abroad with AIFS in Limerick, Ireland! Out of several finalists for this category, his photo was crowned winner after receiving the most engagement and positive feedback on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. Way to go, Sirajul!
Category: Academics
Description: In-class experiences, excursions or field trips you took with a professor, a cultural experience where you learned something new.
Congratulations to Rachel Katz from Western Washington University, who studied abroad with AIFS in Maynooth, Ireland in Summer 2018! Rachel captured her group on a class field trip to Microsoft headquarters in Dublin.
Category: City Life
Description: The hustle and bustle, popular places, urban happenings, landmarks and architecture.
Congratulations to Jaclyn Vece from Stockton University, who studied abroad with AIFS in Rome, Italy in Fall 2018! Jacklyn’s image capturing a view of the city, an Italian flag, and lovely architecture in Rome gave us a sense of the vibrancy of this dynamic European capital city.
