Every semester, students who participated in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s study abroad program are eligible to submit photos to the International Study Abroad Photo contest.

In the fall 2009 semester, 20 participants submitted a total of 56 photos which were on display in the PSC from Tuesday , Nov . 17 – Thursday , Nov . 19. During these three days 149 students, faculty and staff cast their ballots for their favorite photos.

Trevor Conway , who studied in Galway, Ireland, won the category Most Popular Overall for his photo “Dungaire Castle.” As his prize he received a stainless steel water bottle from the Driftless Market. Conway is a mechanical engineering major who said that he enjoyed meeting new people and seeing new places during his study abroad experience, and hopes to travel more in the future, especially to Australia.

Meg Koudelka studied in Zwolle, Netherlands and won Best in Judging category by UWP Campus Photographer for her photo “A Holland Fairytale.” She received a Blizzard of the Month Club from Dairy Queen. Koudelka’s photo also won top photo in the People and Culture category; the prize was a $10 gift certificate to Steve’s Pizza.
Koudelka is a business major currently studying international business in Zwolle.

“The canals are always so beautiful in the Netherlands, but as we were about to leave for the day the colors of this scene caught my eye and I couldn’t resist capturing the moment,” Koudelka said.

Phil Swanson studied in Europe and was awarded the top photo in the Buildings and Monuments category for his photo “Stormy Rome Ruins.” His prize was a $20.00 gift certificate to Badger Brothers Coffee. Swanson is an international studies major who enjoys photography.

“I was in Rome walking along these ruins in late February when I saw this great huge vista,” Swanson said. “It was just starting to sprinkle, so I snapped up a bunch of photos as fast as I could. I was just learning to make blended panoramas in Photoshop, but this was easily the best of the bunch. “

Brittany DuCharme studied in Galway, Ireland and won top photo in Scenery and Nature for her photo “Sunset on Galway Bay.”

DuCharme said she was trying to capture the sunset on the water along with the lighthouse across the bay.

“This picture is worth a thousand words,” DuCharme said. “Every time I look at it, it takes me right back to the shores of Galway Bay.”
The contest also featured drawn prizes for the voters. Ben Kubichek won a $10 gift certificate to Steve’s Pizza, and Matt Blum won a free study abroad application waiver and free passport photos.

Russ Braby, Advisor & Outreach Specialist at the Institute for Study Abroad Programs, emphasizes the importance and impact of this contest.

“The UWP International Study Photo Contest is a great event which not only lets students who studied abroad show off some of their pictures of the places they travel,” said Braby. “It also stirs up excitement of students thinking about going abroad to see all the fantastic places they could go.”