Study Abroad Photo Contest

The Global Learning and Intercultural Support Office presents the 11th Annual Study Abroad Photo Contest.

All entries are collected from former and current participants in all forms of international learning activities, and a selection of fourteen photos will be featured in our 2018 Study Abroad Photo Calendar.

We hope you will enjoy seeing all the places Saint Mary’s students have travelled around the world.

A Shannon Sunset

Allison Hearns

Location: Limerick, Ireland

Program: University of Limerick Summer School in Irish Studies 2017 

The River Shannon flows directly through UL's campus, which also happens to be home to multiple castle ruins. Luckily, some of them are still intact enough to be able to climb. It was the day before our formal assessments were taking place, and many of us were feeling a bit homesick. A friend of mine decided we would take a walk to the castle and venture to the top; we were not disappointed with the view that was waiting for us.

Blarney Castle

Allison Hearns

Location: Cork, Ireland

Program: University of Limerick Summer School in Irish Studies 2017

Blarney Castle is known for two things: the beautiful gardens that span the parameter, and the Blarney Stone. On this day, I was able to see both! Legend has it that those who kiss the Blarney Stone will forever be blessed with the gift of eloquence.

Ha'penny Bridge

Allison Hearns

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Program: University of Limerick Summer School in Irish Studies 2017

This day was the most magical for me. Connecting two sides of the city, Ha'penny Bridge is located in the heart of Dublin, Ireland's capital. Dublin was also home to my Grandmother, who passed away just a year before I was able to make it to her home country. To walk the streets that she once did when she was my age filled me with a sense of pride that I can't describe, and the beautiful day that I was accompanied by only made it better.

The Cliffs of Moher

Allison Hearns

Location: Co. Clare, Ireland

Program: University of Limerick Summer School in Irish Studies 2017

Known for rainy days, this adventure was no exception. The Cliffs are a hallmark of the Irish coast; their breathtaking nature beaming through the fog. The Cliffs of Moher are also home to dozens of cows and O'Brien's Castle. 

A Break in the Clouds

Cameron Darrow

Location: Ben Lomond, Scotland 

Group: Ramblers: Glasgow Young Walkers 

After the initial beauty we had seen at the beginning of this hike, we were reminded of what country we were in by a downpour of rain and hail. There was debate amongst the group about turning back as there would be nothing to see once we got to the top. However this was an important lesson to push forward, and as we reached the summit of Ben Lomond the rain subsided and we were left with this stunning view.

Castle Pyke

Ceilidh McCoombs 

Location: Somewhere in Northern Ireland (on the side of the road while driving)

Program: Semester Abroad, Cork, Ireland 2017

Such a beautiful site during a road trip, and an awesome view for Game of Thrones fans!

A Climb in the Snow

Cameron Darrow

Location: An Caisteal, Crianlarich, Scotland 

Group: GCU Mountaineering Club 

This was the first hike of the year for the University Mountaineering club, and though the group started later in the year that usual, we able to start with a brilliant climb. The top An Caisteal was cold and windy but the views were spectacular, as the surrounding mountain tops were covered in snow. We were able to warm up afterwards in a local pub where I made some great friends to enjoy more mountaineering adventures with in the future.

Dingle Hike

Ceilidh McCoombs 

Location: Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Program: Semester Abroad, Cork, Ireland 2017

Of all the hikes I ventured on during my trip, this was my favourite. This photo has been the wallpaper on my desktop for a while.

Beauty of Scotland

Cameron Darrow

Location: Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond, Scotland 

Group: Ramblers: Glasgow Young Walkers 

This was the first hike that I had taken part in when I was in Scotland, and though it was an easy trail it was one of the most memorable. I will never forget this moment when we had gotten out of the trees and were greeted with this stunning view of Loch Lomond.

Through the Gates of UCC

Ceilidh McCoombs 

Location: University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

Program: Semester Abroad, Cork, Ireland 2017

The campus was amazing, and so green! This is a bridge over a river that I crossed almost every day.

Waves of the Giant's Causeway

Ceilidh McCoombs 

Location: Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

Program: Semester Abroad, Cork, Ireland 2017

The water was so blue!! I just had to take a photo.

Wild pig of Timor-Leste

Cintia Gillam

Location: Village of Adara

PhD field research trip to Timor-Leste, Southeast Asia from May 17 to July 4, 2017. I interviewed fishing community members about traditional conservation practices and took hundreds of photos and videos.

Blue sea-star

Cintia Gillam

Location: Jaco Island, Timor-Leste

PhD field research trip to Timor-Leste, Southeast Asia from May 17 to July 4, 2017. I interviewed fishing community members about traditional conservation practices and took hundreds of photos and videos.

The doctor and the fisherwoman

Cintia Gillam

Location: Vila Maumeta, Atauro

PhD field research trip to Timor-Leste, Southeast Asia from May 17 to July 4, 2017. I interviewed fishing community members about traditional conservation practices and took hundreds of photos and videos.

Traditional fishing boat

Cintia Gillam

Location: Atauro Island, Timor-Leste

PhD field research trip to Timor-Leste, Southeast Asia from May 17 to July 4, 2017. I interviewed fishing community members about traditional conservation practices and took hundreds of photos and videos.

Chocolate chip sea star

Cintia Gillam

Location: Atauro Island, Timor-Leste

PhD field research trip to Timor-Leste, Southeast Asia from May 17 to July 4, 2017. I interviewed fishing community members about traditional conservation practices and took hundreds of photos and videos.

The Cliffs of Moher

Kelsey Everett

Location: County Clare, Ireland

Program: Ireland Canada University Foundation Irish Language Programme 2017

One of the trips organized for us during the program in An Cheathrú Rua was a bus trip to the Cliffs of Moher. The Cliffs are one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been, partially because of the amazing view and partially because of the relentless wind.

Connemara Mountains

Kelsey Everett

Location: Connemara National Park, County Galway, Ireland

Program: Ireland Canada University Foundation Irish Language Programme 2017

During the program in An Cheathrú Rua, one of the trips organized for us was to Kylemore Abbey, which is in Connemara National Park. The view of the mountains on the bus trip there was incredibly breathtaking, especially because I had never really seen mountains in person before.

Fungie the Dolphin

Kelsey Everett

Location: Dingle Harbour, County Kerry, Ireland

Program: Ireland Canada University Foundation Irish Language Programme 2017

Before the program in An Cheathrú Rua officially started, I went down to Dingle to do some sightseeing. I was told by multiple people that I had to go out and see Fungie, and he did not disappoint. The cheerful little guy has been in Dingle Harbour since 1983.

Two Donkeys Under an Irish Sunset

Kelsey Everett

Location: An Cheathrú Rua, County Galway, Ireland

Program: Ireland Canada University Foundation Irish Language Programme 2017

On one of the last nights of the program in An Cheathrú Rua, myself and a few other students from my house took a walk around the beautiful area we were staying. We made some new furry friends down by the waterfront who were very excited to see us.

Wallaby Sunrise

Natasha Donkin 

Location: Potato Point NSW Australia

Program: 2 Semester Exchange

The photo is meaningful to me because I feel it captures some of Australia’s unique beauty.

Homes on a Hill

Katie Davis 

Location: Kigali Rwanda

Program: Queen Elizabeth Scholars

After the longest 8-hour bus ride of my life from Uganda to Rwanda, I spent the weekend wandering around exploring Kigali the only way it should be done, by foot. Once in a lifetime do you get the chance to wander around a new city, take in the sights, people, and sounds that make it unique. 

Coast of Northern Ireland

Michaela Peters

Location: Northern Ireland

Program: Peaceful Schools International

On a day off from working in schools with Peaceful Schools International, we had the opportunity to drive up the coast of Northern Ireland.

School's Out

Katie Davis 

Location: Nyendo, Rwanda

Program: Queen Elizabeth Scholars

Every time I saw kids going to school in Uganda it made me smile. They were always so happy to go learn, in their clean uniforms, carrying their notebooks. They loved school more than anyone I’ve ever seen, which always made my day.

Finnish Orienteering

Michaela Peters

Location: Jyväskylä, Finland 

Program: JYU Exchange

In Jyväskylä there are hundreds of beautiful hiking and biking trails throughout the city. We spent much of our Autumn exploring all of them.

The Daily Walk

Katie Davis 

Location: Nkozi, Rwanda

Program: Queen Elizabeth Scholars

This road was my path to fruit, my running route and where I faced the majority of stares that followed me everywhere. Walking this road made me a part of the busy little village and eventually the people who all knew each other started to know me.

JYU 2017

Michaela Peters

Location: Jyväskylä, Finland 

Program: JYU Exchange

This photo explains the first things you learn when you arrive in Jyväskylä, Finland. You are surrounded by hundreds of beautiful lakes, and a bicycle will become your best friend!

The Red Dirt Road

Katie Davis 

Location: Murchison Falls National Park

Program: Queen Elizabeth Scholars

I got to spend two days sitting on the roof of a van, speeding down bumpy dirt roads, holding on for dear life searching for wildlife to photograph. It was the most incredible way to end my time in Uganda, and is something I will remember for the rest of my life. 

Paige and the Castle

Michaela Peters

Location: France 

Program: Angers France Immersion Program

On a sunny day off from classes in France, we took a trip to visit several castles. Le Château de Saumur was surrounded by a vineyard and a river. 

Reindeer Friend

Michaela Peters

Location: Lapland, Finland 

Program: JYU Exchange

On a visit to an active reindeer farm we fed reindeer and went for sleigh rides. The farm of owned and operated by a Sámi family, we learned about their daily lives and traditions. The Sámi are Finland's indigenous population.

River Cruise in Budapest (1)

Morris MacLeod

Location: Budapest, Hungary 

Program: SMBA 6500

We had just experienced our second day of exploring Budapest. Our cruise included local food and entertainment, as the sun went down the palace lit up, it was a spectacular experience.

Sámi Village

Michaela Peters

Location: Lapland, Finland 

Program: JYU Exchange

The Sámi are Finland's indigenous population who originate in the most northern parts of Finland. In history they were migrant reindeer herders and would stay in small villages like this for a few days to rest during their travels. Modern day Sámi live in houses and communities like other Finns.

River Cruise in Budapest (2)

Morris MacLeod

Location: Budapest, Hungary 

Program: SMBA 6500

We had just experienced our second day of exploring Budapest. Our cruise included local food and entertainment, as the sun went down the palace lit up, it was a spectacular experience.

Rare Find

Nicole Besler

Location: Lamanai, Belize

Program: Belize bat workshop

This photo is of a striped hairy-nosed bat which is rarely caught by bat biologists and is a species only found in tropical environments. I had the lucky opportunity to see and hold this unique bat during my one week program in Belize. 

Early Morning Light

Nicole Besler

Location: Lamanai, Belize

Program: Belize bat workshop

I had the opportunity to work right beside Mayan ruins while attending a bat workshop in Belize. We would take nets used for capturing bats down at sunrise and no where else in the world would I be able to work where I could watch the sunrise over ancient Mayan temples.

Uncovering

Michaela Peters

Location: L'Universite Catholique de L'Ouest

Program: Angers France Immersion Program

While the photo itself does not show much it is a photo taken after an excavator had uncovered the entrance to a world war II German bunker that has not seen the light since the 1940's. The excavation of the bunker was an opportunity that I would not have had the chance of witnessing in Canada. Its uncovering represents to me the search for truth, fact and history in understanding who we are; a part of what studying abroad can help you find.

Cliffs of Moher

Svetlana Negoda

Location: County Clare, Ireland

On the cliff you can see the O’Brien’s Tower. When you stand at the top you realize how small you are in comparison to the cliffs and when you look down, you can feel the air rushing up and you feel like flying. 

Dunquaire Castle

Svetlana Negoda

Location: Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland

A medieval castle that was named after a king, but many years after his death. Walking up to the gate, you can imagine all the battles that were fought there and all the feasts that were held there. And maybe, if you listen hard enough, you can hear the music playing from the veils of the past. 

Kylemore Abbey

Svetlana Negoda

Location: Kylemore Abbey, Ireland

A mansion, a house, and a school. The mansion has a sad love story, of a man who really loved his wife and built a chapel for her and mausoleum. When you enter the mansion, you are submerged in the Victorian riches in Ireland.

River Corrib

Svetlana Negoda

Location: Galway, Ireland

The view of the river is absolutely gorgeous and you can see fisherman there quite frequently. A nice stroll with your friends or a loved one along the shore of the river will always bring you pleasure and joy.

The Streets of Galway

Svetlana Negoda

Location: Galway, Ireland

As you walk down a cobblestone road you hear live music around you and the smell of delicious food following your every step. Fully submerges you into the culture and it always seems like there is not enough time to see and do everything.

The Walled Garden

Svetlana Negoda

Location: Kylemore Abbey, Ireland

There was a beautiful garden and it was protected by a wall. However, the most interesting part isn’t the garden itself, but the way the trees and moss covered rocks also protected the gem. It seemed almost something that you could only read in a myth or a fairy tale, and it gave the garden a mysterious aura.

On Top of the World

Austin Castellanos

Location: Montserrat, Spain

Program: Exchange in Pamplona, Spain

Montserrat was a stop we had to make during our Spanish travels. The monastery is located high in uniquely shaped rocky mountains just outside of Barcelona and at 4,055 ft high, the views from the top were breathtaking.

Park Near West Lake

Branden Melloy

Location: Hangzhou, China

Program: Summer Abroad in Zhuhai

Near West lake in Hangzhou, China, there is a walking/shopping street and adjacent to the street is a low mountain park one can walk up and into.

Only a week before, the Zhuhai program came to an end and my interior travels of China began.

These two young ladies made the trip to and though China entirely possible. On the left is my friend who I met in Halifax in 2012 but she only stay for 6 months; she encouraged me constantly to attended university. On the right is an Acadian student who graciously offered to help me travel from Zhuhai to Guilin, Yangshuo, Hangzhou, and Nanjing. Both are wonderful people who encouraged the journey from the beginning. 

Spicy Southerners

Branden Melloy

Location: Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai

Program: Summer Abroad in Zhuhai

The photo was taken in a Sichuan-food restaurant on-campus.

This was my final day in Zhuhai before leaving to travel inland.

My lovely friend here met me by accident when her Portuguese friend called me a foreign and asked me where I was from. She took me to a noodle restaurant that final day and introduced me to sichuan spice. My face was numb from the spicy; I couldn't feel anything but the noodles and soup were delicious.

Slow Boat to Xingping

Branden Melloy

Location: Lijiang River, China

Program: Summer Abroad in Zhuhai

This photo was taken at the beginning of our trip on the Lijiang river from Yangdixiang to Xingpingzhen, 4 days after the Zhuhai program had concluded.

My friend from Acadia and I managed to catch a boat with two people who sat next to us on the bus from Guilin to Yangdi. The Lijiang river was so beautiful especially since there was a constant back and forth of rain showers and sun shine. This is the very same river as on the 1 yuan note; but it was also interesting because our boat guide pointed to the many shaped pillar like mountains and told stories about them. 

Edinburgh Castle, Elephant Room Café

Sam Cunningham

Location: Edinburgh

Program: Glasgow Scotland, Winter 2017

This place was very special to me as this photo was taken in the same seat J.K. Rowling sat when she first began to write Harry Potter. It screams Scotland to me with the gloomy setting, beautiful scenery and homey vibes. This café was also the only place I found half decent coffee my whole time in the U.K. 

Botanical Gardens

Sam Cunningham

Location: Glasgow

Program: Glasgow Scotland, Winter 2017

The Botanical Gardens of Glasgow are an amazing place where all varieties of people come together to enjoy amazing plants, art and sprawl out on the green space. It is a place where my friends went together to explore and bond with each other and also with Glasgow as a city.

Glasgow Necropolis

Sam Cunningham

Program: Glasgow Scotland, Winter 2017

The Necropolis is a favourite of both locals and tourists in the city. It has an amazing view of the city from the top of the hill and is located very close to several historic buildings. Despite being a graveyard its popular as a first date location and jogging site. 

Rooftop Sunset

Sam Cunningham

Location: Buchanan Street, Glasgow

Program: Glasgow Scotland, Winter 2017

This photo is really special to me, because it depicts a rare blue sky and sunshine that is not typical of Scottish weather. The rarity of blue sky really brings people together in appreciation of the small things we often take for granted in Canada. 

Temple Bar

Sam Cunningham

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Program: Glasgow Scotland, Winter 2017

This photo is one of my favourite from my travels with the bright pops of colour, graffiti and a local man passing through. It told a complicated story of the fight within Dublin to keep local flare alive and not succumb to the thousands of tourists that flock there every week with tacky shamrocks. This fight is especially present in Temple Bar, the cultural quarter of Dublin where this photo was taken.