Study Abroad

Study Abroad Photo Contest Winners 2024

Congratulations to our 2024 Study Abroad Photo Contest winners!

Badgers Abroad
Global Classroom
Live Like a Local
Postcard Perfect
Natural World

Badgers Abroad

1st place

Photographer:  Mateo Reynolds
Photo Location:  Kyoto, Japan
Study Abroad Program:  UW Summer Launch in Japan

Description: This was a field trip we took to the Byodoin Temple in Uji, Kyoto, Japan. A fun fact about this temple is that it is on the back of the 10 Yen coin. We are all suffering from the immense heat that Japan has during its summers.

Group of UW-Madison students holding the Wisconsin Badgers flag in front of a Buddhist temple.

 

2nd place

Photographer:  Sawyer Getschman
Photo Location:  Seoul, South Korea
Study Abroad Program:  Yonsei University Exchange

Description: Attending UW Madison’s 175th Anniversary Celebration in Seoul was a night I will always remember. The event provided a place to share encouraging words for fellow badgers, near and abroad.

Two postcards with notes written in English and Korean. One note gives advice to future students and the other expresses the student’s love for Yonsei University and UW-Madison.

3rd place

Photographer:  Nari Tagura
Photo Location:  Sydney, Australia
Study Abroad Program:  UW Disability Rights and Access in Australia

Description: Nursing student Nari Tagura (me) standing in front of the Opera House in Sydney, Australia.

 

UW-Madison student making the Wisconsin “W” with her hands while standing in front of the Sydney Opera House. Honorable Mention

Photographer:  Bella Kaplan
Photo Location:  Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Study Abroad Program:  UW Health, Education, & Tanzanian Culture

Description:  Coffee making demonstration.

Group of UW-Madison students holding a tray with ground coffee beans. Written in the ground coffee beans is “ON WISCO.”

Global Classroom

1st Place

Photographer:  Josephine Botchek
Photo Location:  Gatunga, Kenya
Intern Abroad Program:  Merry-Go-Strong Internships

Description: Meet Nanis! She’s an incredibly talented artisan that creates these beautiful, hand crocheted baskets in just 4-5 days! Nanis loves the creative outlet that crocheting provides and every design is an original piece that reflects her unique style.

A young woman smiles while holding a stack of colorful hand crocheted baskets.

2nd Place

Photographer:  Ella Miller
Photo Location:  Monteverde, Costa Rica
Study Abroad Program: UW Banking Animal Biodiversity in Costa Rica

Description:  Hanging out in Costa Rica! While on the Genetics and Genomics study abroad in Costa Rica, we had the opportunity to visit several animal rescue centers. While at the rescue centers, we learned about ways they were saving local animals, such as this two-toed sloth, through wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation.

Close up view of a two-toed sloth. The sloth is facing the camera while hanging upside-down from a bamboo structure.

3rd Place

Photographer:  Madeline Olson
Photo Location:  Hanoi, Vietnam
Intern Abroad Program:  Zó Project Design and Digital Marketing Internships

Description:  This is me at work in the EcoPark office of Zó Project. Before building our designs, we first applied fermented persimmon and konjac paste to the papers to make them stronger and more waterproof. In this photo you can see me dying paper with indigo. We did a lot of fun experiments creating patterns using indigo and natural dyes. These papers were later featured in our exhibition either in our products or on display. Strengthening and dying the paper proved to be much more difficult and careful work than I thought it would be! I was beginning to have a newfound appreciation for papermakers and other local artisans.

A UW-Madison student wearing a smock gazes at her workstation that is covered with dyed indigo paper.

Honorable Mention

Photographer:  Rachel Trochlell
Photo Location:  Limerick, Ireland
Study Abroad Program:  University of Limerick

Description:  This is from a University of Limerick campus event to tour the local Ardnacrusha hydro electric power station. The station workers showed a group of us around and explained how the power station serves electricity to the greater Ireland area.

6 people wearing yellow safety vests and white hard hats walk in a single file between metal handrails on the top of a concrete wall. They are walking towards weathered buildings in the distance.

 

Live Like a Local

1st Place

Photographer:  Ryan Gettelfinger
Photo Location:  Auckland, New Zealand
Study Abroad Program:  University of Auckland

Description:  Getting hyped for a squat attempt at the Auckland Uni Strength Society Powerlifting Meet.  I joined the club at the beginning of my study abroad and had so many amazing opportunities and made so many friends and memories because of it.

A male student wearing a black tee shirt and shorts walks towards the camera. Other male students dressed in black turn to look towards the student. They are surround by gym equipment.

2nd Place

Photographer:  Frederic Truslow
Photo Location:  Madrid, Spain
Study Abroad Program:  Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid GE3 Exchange

Description: My Italian roommate serves us some extremely delicious, well prepared pasta.

A male student serves pasta to a plate he is holding. In the foreground is a kitchen table with two plates of pasta and silverware. The space is illuminated by a single drop pendant light that casts dramatic shadows.3rd Place

Photographer:  Patrick Colgrove
Photo Location:  Chiang Mai, Thailand
Intern Abroad Program:  UW Biological Sciences Research Internships in Thailand

Description:  In our first week in Thailand, we were introduced to the beautiful city of Chiang Mai. Along with snake farms, elephant jungles, and sun-soaked restaurants, you can also get a bamboo raft tour on the Mae Taeng River! Living, researching, and exploring the cities of Thailand was an incredibly unforgettable experience.

Two male students face the camera while riding on a bamboo raft. The student in the back uses a pole to push the raft through the water. The student in the front splashes water towards the camera.

Honorable Mention

Photographer:  Andrea Brehovska
Photo Location:  Kathmandu, Nepal
Study Abroad Program:  Pia Nepal Design Internship

Description:  This is a picture of myself, my roommate Emma, one of our coworkers and her sister at Holi. Holi is also known as the Festival of Color, and a large part of the day involves throwing colors at each other. For Holi we went to Hotel Annapurna with the rest of our coworkers where we got to listen to an Indian Artist, some DJs and engage in the color throwing celebration!

Four female students smile while facing the camera. They are wearing white tee shirts and their faces are covered in brightly colored paint.

Postcard Perfect

1st place

Photographer:  Haley Street
Photo Location:  London, England
Study Abroad Program:  UW Theatre in London

Description: This is a picture of Clink Street in Bankside, London. I took the photo on our first day abroad during a walking tour of the city. London is full of incredible architecture both old and new and I really enjoyed seeing this historic site.

People walking under an arch with a view of tall, tan buildings and store-fronts.

2nd place

Photographer:  Maddy Netzer
Photo Location:  Wanika, New Zealand
Study Abroad Program: Massey University Exchange

Description:  Here is a photo of me on Roy’s Peak in Wanika, New Zealand after hiking for 4 miles with 4,200 feet of elevation; all to see the sunrise over the mountains. It was the hardest hike I’ve ever done, but the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. It’s not every day you get to be above the clouds!

UW-Madison student standing on a mountain with her arms above her head in a “v” shape. She is looking at a view of mountains and valleys.

3rd place

Photographer:  Matthew Paul
Photo Location:  Varenna, Italy
Study Abroad Program:  IES Milan Business Studies

Description:  Varenna, Italy

View of a small city with colorful buildings. Th city is located between the ocean and large hills.

Honorable Mention

Photographer:  Maddie Hernandez
Photo Location: Tokyo, Japan
Study Abroad Location:  UW Summer Launch in Japan

Description: This was taken in a vintage arcade/museum-esque store in Odaiba, Tokyo. It is a city that embraces the surreal nature of Japan, with a nostalgic twist. This photo captured that surreal nostalgia of it all.

Three retro vending machines with a wide variety of drinks offered. Two of the machines are labeled as “Coca-Cola” and the other as “Dr. Pepper.”

Natural World

1st place

Photographer:  Emily Olmedo
Photo Location:  San Jose, Costa Rica
Study Abroad Program:  UW Spanish Language in Costa Rica

Description:  A red-eyed tree frog that is commonly found in Costa Rica. We found this frog while learning about the biodiversity that Costa Rica has to offer. This tree frog is popular among cartoons and seeing this frog in person was astonishing. They are a lot smaller in person!

Close up view of a red-eyed, green front with orange toes on a textured green leaf.

2nd place

Photographer:  Charlotte DeCoster
Photo Location:  Rovaniemi, Finland
Intern Abroad Program:  FSE Marketing & Communications Intern

Description:  At Santa Claus’ Village in Rovaniemi, Finland, visitors are able to take magical reindeer rides through the forest. Having a reindeer both in front of us and behind us, I was able to make good friends with one my friendly guides. Not only did this reindeer allow me to experience the beautiful fresh snowfall in the Arctic Circle, but he was also very photogenic and gifted me quite the photoshoot.

Close up view of a reindeer facing the camera while pulling a sled in the snow. Snow covered trees are in the background.

3rd place

Photographer:  Jackson Mattek
Photo Location:  Arthur’s Pass, New Zealand
Study Abroad Program:  University of Auckland

Description:  While my friends and I took a quick break near the summit of a hike in Arthur’s Pass, two birds flew in and joined us on the mountaintop. They were Kea, which are incredibly beautiful and curious parrots. They ate berries and inquisitively checked us out while I took this picture!

Close up side profile of a green and brown feathered bird with a curved beak. The bird is on a mountaintop. In the background there are clouds and mountains in the distance.