The 2017 Experiential Liberal Arts Photo Contest - College of Social Sciences and Humanities

The 5th Annual CSSH Photo Contest

The Experiential Liberal Arts Photo Contest, formerly the CSSH Global Photo Contest, is open to all CSSH students who have participated in an experiential learning opportunity through Northeastern. We asked for your photos that show how you’ve engaged with the world and that represent what it means to study the liberal arts in the 21^st century. Finalist photos below are also displayed in 180 Renaissance Park.

In-Person Voting Winners (4):

Katharine Armstrong, “Everything the Light Touches is the Hashemite Kingdom”
Jenna Chalfonte, “Venice Sunset”
Ryan Mallaby, “Rainbow Mountain: This Natural Peruvian Wonder Was Only Discovered in 2015: What Else is out There”
Alexander Shaw, “My Respect for Segregation”

Online Fan Favorite (1):

Jared Hirschfield, “An Antique Truck and Wheelbarrow under a Starry Winter Sky in the Atacama Desert of Chile”

The 2017 Photo Contest Finalists

: Alanna Pasco – “Our guide Abu Yahya peering over Wadi Dana, his home” “I began studying Arabic three years ago after a revelation occurred to me: I grew up in a remarkably diverse city just outside of Boston and had close friends from every corner of the planet. Each one of them had a unique story about their home country, their traditions, celebrations, their parents’ backgrounds and journeys. I began to realize that everyone has a story to tell and the only way to be able to learn from and share these stories would be to speak the same language as those I never would have been able to communicate with before. This Dialogue of Civilizations was my first experience in the Middle East. While in Jordan, I was reminded of my reasons for studying Arabic, refueled with fascination in learning about history and culture, and enlightened with the stories of the welcoming people I met. If there is a humbling lesson of culture it is that once you see another person’s culture through the lens of the language it was built in you begin to realize that we have much more in common across the globe than we thought after all.” – in Jordan.

: Alena Zafonte – “A Belgrade Fixture: The Sound of Kneza Mihaila” “The past six months have been among the best of my life and I owe that largely to the city of Belgrade, somewhere I never thought I’d return to after visiting it in 2016. However, when presented the opportunity to co-op there, I jumped at the chance because it was something new, and different, and terrifying, and that was exactly what I needed. I’d like others to know that sometimes being uncomfortable means you’re making the right choice.” — in Belgrade, Serbia.

: *Online Fan Favorite Winner* Jared Hirschfield – “An antique truck and wheelbarrow under a starry winter sky in the Atacama Desert of Chile” “Reflecting on my experience, I quickly realized it was not the technical knowledge gained on the trip that made my month abroad one of the most impactful of my life. Beyond the engaging lessons about shutter speed, artistic composition, and bacterial genetics, we were taught and encouraged to be better informed, well-rounded people. We were exposed to cultural and historical sites, such as the Chacabuco concentration camp, that gave us a more accurate and complete look into Chile’s present and past. We were immersed in our environment and studies with instructors and peers who shared many of our passions, and this in itself was transformative My experience in Chile was pivotal to the development of my personal and career goals. At Northeastern, it has been a challenge to successfully meld my diverse interests and prepare for a career that spans the professions of law, medicine, and public health. Studying such disparate fields as photography and microbiology in a foreign environment reaffirmed that such an endeavor is possible and that Northeastern will provide me with the tools needed to pursue my dreams.” — in Chacabuco.

: Maia Valdepenas-Mellor – “Traditional Art in Contemporary Times” “This image has a tranquil and reflective composition to it, mirroring my overall experience in China. Immersing myself in a relatively new culture for five weeks was uncomfortable and frustrating at times, however, I was always able to come back to reality and reflect on how fortunate I was to have an opportunity like this one. Learning calligraphy took patience, dedication, and care, just like how learning Chinese (the goal of this Dialogue) does. I want others to know that a study abroad experience is bound to humble you greatly. The most memorable experience of this Dialogue was the calligraphy class from which this photograph was taken. Learning about the origins of the art centered me and truly made me reflect upon the vast history, culture, and struggle that has shaped the present times in which we find ourselves.” — in China.

: Catherine Mahan – “A Different Pointe of View” “Working and studying in London genuinely changed my life, and as a result how I hope to move forward both personally and professionally. Since London attracts people from all over the world, I met people with backgrounds and experiences starkly different than my own; exposure to their perspectives and opinions will allow me to better consider a wide variety of viewpoints moving forward. My boss made a point of showing me both the extreme high and extreme low income areas of the city, demonstrating the importance and difficulty of crafting fair policies for everyone. It’s easy to get caught up in the experience of studying abroad and traveling to lower income sections of town and talking with the residents of their hardships put my own privileges back in perspective, giving faces to some of the people affected by policies I helped research during my internship. My experience working in British politics and seeing the challenges of policy implementation only further solidified my desire to craft stronger policies for all Americans in the future.” — in London, United Kingdom.

: Dayina Connie E – “Happiness ain’t black & white” “What I’d like to convey is also the biggest lesson I learnt from South Africa: There is always hope and happiness despite poverty and lack of resources. We should treat people from all cultures and economic background with the equal dignity that we all deserve.” — in Cape Town, Western Cape.

: Nathan Hostert – “Students of the United Nations Dialogue ride paddle boats through Lake Geneva on May 27.” “When people look at this image, I hope that they walk away realizing that not only are dialogues wonderful academic experiences, but they are also wonderful human experiences as well. My classmates on this dialogue have now become some of my closest friends, and my professor is now one of my most trusted mentors. The memories that we made paddle boating on the Lake Geneva, exploring the picturesque city, and hiking The Salève (which can be seen in the background of this picture!) are ones that I will cherish for the rest of my life. This picture to me epitomizes the happiness and camaraderie that I felt during my time in Switzerland. I hope that this photo can inspire others to enroll in a dialogue and have equally rewarding experiences.” — in Geneva, Switzerland.

: *In-Person Voting Winner* Jenna Chalfonte – “Venice Sunset” “This was a growth experience for me in many ways; the simple fact that I was able to take this picture means a lot to me. I am often anxious about change or new experiences, so I never would have expected to find myself in Venice with ten people who were strangers a month ago. I want others to realize how much an experience like this teaches a person, and how it is worth doing even if it scares you–especially if it scares you.” — in Venice, Italy.

: *In-Person Voting Winner* Alexander Shaw – “My Respect for Segregation” “‘My Respect for Segregation’ is a striking title for a very common image. That is because in Indonesia the term ‘segregation’ does not hold the same level of negative connotation that it does in America. If I heard that “all Jakarta trains are segregated by gender,” I would think of the city as backwards, citing examples from my own country’s unfortunate past. Yet, it is not out of spite for women but out of respect that they should deserve a degree of privacy in public areas. This photograph will serve as a reminder for me to look at cultural dynamics through the very same cultural lens, less I allow my own paradigm make negative assumptions on terms like ‘segregation,’ in a city that is actually trying to help a minority.” — in Jakarta, Indonesia.

: Caroline Panchelli – “Cape Town from Robben Island” “I knew next to nothing about South Africa before I went there, but in the span of a month that changed entirely. I was exposed to a place and culture I never thought I would see, and I was able to interact with locals and experts in an environment that fostered a lot of questions and points for discussion. We went at an extremely interesting and important point in the country’s history as well, especially given how active the protest culture is. It was a really powerful learning experience, and one that I will never forget.” — in Robben Island.

: Eric Cresta – “Studying abroad gave me a panoramic view of the world” “Marseille, France was the first place outside of Amsterdam I traveled to during my exchange and it definitely shaped the way the rest of my semester went. I made lifelong friends on this trip from all over the world who challenged my perspective in different, amazing ways. Sitting on this overlook during the golden hour of the day I was able to reflect on the first month of my exchange experience and realize my intent for the next four life changing months.” — in Marseille, France.

: Kellie Harrison – “”A revolution is not a bed of roses.” – Fidel Castro” “Realizing how privileged I am was a huge thought on my mind when I boarded the plane back to Boston. I couldn’t help but think about all of the “luxuries” that I was returning to back home that average Cubans didn’t have access to like enough money to buy simple necessities, a free and open internet, and the freedom to travel where I want to, whenever I want to. Yet even with this, I want others to realize how similar we all truly are to one another, no matter where we live or how we grew up. Before going to Cuba, I wrongly assumed that I would experience an extreme culture shock because of how different I assumed life would be down there. Although life truly is different in a lot of ways for Cubans than it is for us, this trip made me realize that at our core, we are all people just trying to get through life.” — in Cuba.

: Kylie Schreck – “Taken in Bo-Kaap, the most colorful neighborhood in Cape Town, South Africa” “After this experience, I realize the importance of engaging with people in places you go whether it is in your comfort zone or not. You gain powerful insight and amazing experiences from talking to everyone – whether it is someone you meet on the street or someone who invites you in for a meal.” — in Cape Town, Western Cape.

: Lindsay Lowery – “Restaurant on the shore of Matala Beach, Greece” “I want people to understand my newfound appreciation for the simplicity of life and appreciation for smaller, family-owned businesses. I want people to see the resilience of the Greek people, many of whom are determined to take every advantage that comes their way. In this image, it includes the vicinity to the water and the unseen beach which draws scores of tourists. My dialogue to Greece was very eye-opening with regards to the effect of the economic and refugee crises on the country. Stereotypes come up often in conversations today, and my trip emphasized how ignorant it can be to rely on them for your world views. Before I left, much of what I knew of Greece revolved around two things: ancient history and white sand beaches. Upon the completion of my dialogue, I learned how much more influential their modern history is; Greece has been greatly shaped by political and economic factors like the Civil War in the mid-1900s and the economic that have left their mark on the Greek people today. And while ancient history and beaches are easy to find throughout the country, it is the people and their culture that keeps it on the world stage for various reasons today.” — at Kreta, Matala Beach.

: Michael Tormey – “Little India, Singapore” “Primarily, I’d like to emphasize the power of international experiences for personal development and growth. One day in Jakarta, Indonesia, I traveled with another independent research group as they were distributing surveys in a poorer area of the city where most did not speak any English; we did not speak any Bahasa Indonesia. To communicate and interact with these people was immensely challenging, especially combined with the general bustle of a dense megacity. To do so, however, and hear from them in broken English and relying heavily on Google Translate, we made unique connections. I learned what locals thought of Jakarta’s governor, for example, not through reading about it in the newspaper but through speaking with Jakartans about it. It’s not easy to travel abroad, but doing so expands comfort zones tremendously. Performing research which requires interacting closely with locals tests travelers further, and to successfully pursue this type of work is extremely rewarding.” — in Singapore.

: Miranda Martone – “View from the Boston Convention Center catwalk at the International Seafood Exposition” “This experience has impacted my view of my major, Northeastern, and my career. Because of this coop experience I now know how to apply the knowledge I learn in the classroom to the ‘real world’. Learning throughout this experience has made me confident that studying Human Services at Northeastern is the best way to prepare me for my goals after college. This was my first coop and making the connections between my time in classes and future work in my career has motivated me and excited me for my classes and future coops. When people see this picture, I want them to know that this experience has made me confident that I am on the right track to the career I want. I am more motivated now than ever to keep working hard in my classes and to have more enriching experiences like this.” — in Boston, Massachusetts.

: *In-Person Voting Winner* Katharine Armstrong – “Everything the Light Touches is the Hashemite Kingdom” “This Dialogue was a massive learning experience for me, and Jordan taught me endlessly about myself, the Middle East, Islam, and so much more. I learned what life is like during Ramadan in a conservative city in a Muslim-majority country (slow during the day and magical at night). I met Syrian refugees and heard first-hand about their experience leaving their homes and making a new life in Amman. I talked to teenage girls over an iftar meal about why they choose wear a hijab or not and about what kind of change they want to see in Jordan in the future. I ate life-changing falafel and drank amazing tea and saw one of the Seven Wonders of the World. I experienced hospitality so warm and insistent and new that I couldn’t even imagine in it the United States. Most importantly, I have developed a profound respect and admiration for the Middle East and its people and a special place in my heart now for Jordan.” — in Dana, Jordan.

: Lauren Renfro – “Scotland Legacy” “In the short time I have had in Scotland, I have seen how people are taking up the call to be environmentally sound, all-ability accessible, and forward-minded in terms of economics, politics, and society. As an economist the future often seems bleak, but Scotland is proving over and again that change for the better is possible. Their orientation around coming together as a community is inspiring. Even with the future of Scotland up in the air with regard to its position within the EU and the UK, the country is still committed to connecting communities and improving the welfare of its population. Scotland shows that changes can happen, and provides quality examples that could be implemented back in the United States.” — at Scotland.

: Brendan Lewis – “Beach near our accommodations at Coláiste na Rinne (College of Ring) in Ring, Co. Waterford, Ireland” “My experience in Ireland impacted me profoundly. Throughout my trip, I was able to travel across the country and see the many sides of this small yet multifaceted nation. Out of all of the locations that I visited, Ring was the clear favorite. At the end of my Dialogue, I was a changed person. I was definitely better versed in Irish literature, film, and history, but, more importantly, I had a better appreciation for Ireland as a unique nation—I will never again conflate Irish culture with that of the U.K. I now see how important Ireland’s history is to its people and how it still strongly influences them today. My experience here was even more personally impactful since I had ancestors who emigrated from Ireland. Additionally, while in Ring, I had the great fortune of meeting some of the kindest and most generous hosts I ever could have wished for. The staff at the school we stayed at constantly went out of their way to treat us well and give us a taste of “real Ireland.” The lessons they taught us about Irish hospitality and remembering where we come from will not soon be forgotten.” — in Ring, Waterford, Ireland.

: *In-Person Voting Winner* Ryan Mallaby – “Rainbow Mountain: This Natural Peruvian Wonder Was Only Discovered in 2015: What Else Is Out There” “As I’ve been reflecting upon my 6 weeks abroad, I’ve discovered that the real takeaway I gained from my experience was a newfound sense of appreciation, gratitude, and humbleness. This isn’t about a rich/poor or privileged/unprivileged dynamic, though those parallels could certainly be drawn given the backgrounds of our group compared to the backgrounds of the locals we met while in Peru. I’ve become more appreciative of what I have and what I’m able to do because of my experience in Peru. We met with hundreds of children from elementary schools to colleges–conversing in English and Spanish to exchange stories and experiences. Before arriving, our professor prepared us by saying many of these children will be happy “just to see an American.” While I don’t approve of the “white savior-esque” mentality that we’re somehow better or there to save them, these children were over the moon to meet us and learn about our vast experiences. They were able to gain joy from the simplest of activities and the shortest of conversations with us. When compared to many American’s (including my own) tendency to complain, this experience reminded me to be appreciative of the many small things in life.” — at Rainbow Mountain, Peru.

How have you engaged with the world, near or far?

The learning and transformation of knowledge and skills happen across many contexts, including but not limited to co-op, Dialogue of Civilizations, study abroad, NUin, service-learning, and research. Click here to continue reading about the unique CSSH experiential liberal arts learning model.