2023-24 Bing Overseas Studies Photo Contest

Photo Contest Winners, from top

1. Snorkeling at Heron Island Research Station by Vanessa Chen

Academic Pursuit Winner. Australia, Autumn 2023-24 "A fellow snorkeler, Aiyana Washington, captures a photo of a green sea turtle in the Great Barrier Reef near Heron Island Research Station. This encounter was one of many magical snorkeling experiences!"

2. Through the Looking Glass by Cassie Shaw

Academic Pursuit Honorable Mention. South Korea, Global Seminar 2022-23 "During a trip to the DMZ, we went to the Dora Observatory where we were able to see the zone between North and South Korea first-hand. In one of the rooms, there is a floor to ceiling window displaying the center: the area where both of the North and South Korean flags are flown. After this, we went to the top deck and using the telescopes, glimpsed at motorcycles, architecture, and real (albeit blurry) people from the other side of the border. To be surrounded by so much history was unfathomable and truly an unprecedented experience."

3. Rowers in Sevilla by Jane Lord-Krause

Bing Trips Winner. Madrid, Winter 2023-24 "This photo was taken during our Bing trip to Córdoba and Sevilla on the Puente de Isabel II, a beautiful bridge that connects the two major parts of the city over the Guadalquivir River. We had a few hours of free time and I branched off by myself to walk through a less touristy neighborhood of the city, searching for a better sense of what it meant to live there. As I was walking back across the bridge from which I took this photo, I stopped to look down at the green water below. I felt, perhaps, a bit homesick in that moment -- after three days of non-stop travel, cultural immersion, and social activity, I missed my family. Seeing the rowers on the river, though, reminded me of my sister, a freshman rower this year at a D1 school on the East coast. Those rowers on the Guadalquivir were just like the rowers on her team rowing on the Potomac, though the rivers and uniforms were different colors. So much of the culture I experienced in Spain was, upon closer inspection, not so different from the United States. I'd feel lost, or homesick, or confused, but then I would see someone who reminded me of my family or Stanford or America and remember the commonality of it all."

4. Caves of Cappadocia by Rhea Malhotra

Bing Trips Honorable Mention. Istanbul, Autumn 2023-24 "The Istanbul Cohort consisted of 8 students who forged a deep bond throughout the program. We navigated the dry, desert-like climate, held each other's hands to safely descend a slippery, rocky path, and marveled at the breathtaking terrain of Cappadocia, Turkey. This photo captures the close-knit nature of our cohort, especially during our BOSP trip, where we immersed ourselves in the rich culture and stunning landscape of central Turkey."

5. The Ashanti by Roman Scott

Cultures, Customs, & Traditions Winner. Ghana Global Seminar 2022-23 "When I was in Ghana, I had the opportunity to reunite with my ancestral tribe in Kumasi, called the Ashanti. Although my ancestors are 400 years removed, I was immediately welcomed into the family that I had always sought to gain."

6. Three Hundred Tang Poems by Anza Zhang

Cultures, Customs, & Traditions Honorable Mention. Beijing, Spring 2023-24 "We met an elderly gentleman practicing calligraphy alone in People's Park in Chengdu. He had memorized all 300 of the "Three Hundred Tang Poems" and was writing them from memory. Many members of China's older population have impressive hobbies, from calligraphy to Tai-Chi. It was heartwarming to see a member of China's elderly community pick up an impressive hobby after retirement, and I hope this serves as inspiration for everyone to pursue their passions, regardless of age."

7. Spring inside the Palace Walls by Anza Zhang

Photo Favorite Winner. Beijing, Spring 2023-24 "This photo was taken in the early Spring in the back palaces of the Forbidden City where the concubines resided. I found the purple blossoms against a vivid backdrop of crimson palace walls and golden liuli-glazed roofing beautiful, but life as a concubine was brutal and many never left the palace walls or saw their families again. To me, blooming flowers and spring might mean new beginnings, but to these young women, these walls may very well be a beautiful cage. I was honored to have a chance to think about history from a usually un-narrated perspective."

8. Biking to Monet's House by Artur Barbosa Carneiro

Photo Favorite Honorable Mention. Paris, Spring 2023-24 "The day started off stressful. We took a train from Paris to Giverny to visit Monet's House, where he lived for most of his life and found inspiration for many of his paintings. Despite numerous setbacks, our spirits lifted once we got on the bikes. The 20-minute ride along the Seine River to his house was pure bliss. I took this photo while biking because it was an incredibly special moment for all of us."

9. Lago di Braies by Sejoon Chang

Urban and Natural World Winner. Florence, Spring 2023-24 "The Dolomites mountain range reveals the breathtaking beauty of northern Italy, offering a stark contrast to the urban wonders I was accustomed to in places like Florence. I encountered Lago di Braies, surrounded by towering peaks and lush forests, and it was here that made me realize the incredible diversity of the Italian landscape, from its historic and cultural landmarks to its awe-inspiring natural marvels."

10. Rainbow Steps in Valparaiso by Angelina Rivas

Urban and Natural World Honorable Mention. Santiago, Summer 2022-23 "Our entire cohort from the Santiago BOSP took a weekend trip to Valparaíso. It offered a completely different culture and vibrancy from the city. There was music and color everywhere you looked."