Study Abroad Annual Photo Contest

Elizabeth Luminoso
"Recess"
Guatemala

"This past January, my Religious Studies class traveled to Guatemala to study the Maya Religion. We traveled to amazing places such as Panajachel, Xela, and Antigua. My group participated in a Stove building project as well as a Maya arts program with children from a local school. There were many Maya women helping out and so many children running around wanting to help. This picture was taken of three girls at the school during a lunch break. It was a beautiful day and they were having so much fun running around with their friends."

"My senses were overwhelmed as I scanned the panoramic length of the lake behind the Wannsee Mansion in Berlin, Germany. It was the third day of my "Remembering the Holocaust" January term trip and already we had explored the city, seen the Berlin Wall, and visited the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. On this morning we filed into the mansion where the masterminds behind the Holocaust formulated their "Final Solution" for the Jews. It was hard to believe that a place as inconspicuous as this had once held men so violent and power-hungry. After walking through the rooms filled with pictures, quotes, and information about the rise and fall of World War II, I ventured out to the backyard. Immediately I gravitated towards this beautiful frozen lake; so still and serene. As one of my classmates ventured onto the ice- despite multiple people warning him not to- I knew this was a moment I needed to capture. Though the history of the Wannsee Mansion is horrible and corrupt, the lake served as a metaphor for our responsibilities as human beings. We must confront our fears and stand with confidence against injustice and uncertainty."