It’s time once again for the SDSU International Photo contest, featuring photos submitted by SDSU students! This year we’re choosing our People’s Choice Award through a 40-photo tournament, with winners decided by online voting right here on the Be International blog. Voting is now open for the FINAL ROUND below, so help pick the winner from the three photos remaining! Voting will be open until Monday at 9 a.m.
The theme of this year’s contest is “Defying Imagination: Images that depict something that you did not expect, or that helped you imagine life in another context during your international experience.”
The contest was open to domestic students on study abroad programs and international students studying at SDSU. For more information on the contest and to view past years’ winners visit this website.
Please note: voting for the first place, second place, third place and honorable mention has already been conducted and will be announced and displayed during Family Weekend. The People’s Choice Award is… less scientific. SO VOTE EARLY AND VOTE OFTEN.
And now, the voting:
Pinwheel Dreams vs. Spaceship vs. Integration
Pinwheel Dreams
Location: Kawagoe, Japan
Narrative: Every summer at the Kawagoe Shrine people gather to celebrate, and write their dreams and wishes on wind chimes. This picture shows a woman wearing her traditional yukata, standing in the middle of her dreams, and the dreams of others, wondering how many will come true.
First Round: Defeated Ideal Home 148-41.
Second Round: Defeated Fascinating Fireworks 143-75.
Third Round: Defeated Berber Dreams 218-115.
Semifinals: Defeated Tradition Speaks Volumes 190-181.
Spaceship
Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom
Narrative: Shocked with the amazing architecture and the reigning silence in the Central Library of Liverpool, surrounded by books and letters … I imagined myself in a spaceship traveling out to explore new worlds. Reminds me of my first days in England realizing that I was out of my comfort zone trying to adapt to a new culture and environment. Represents the beginning of my experience abroad.
First Round: Defeated Tranquil Imagination 209-97.
Second Round: Defeated Snow Struck 508-264.
Third Round: Defeated Typical Tourist 1,754-1,357.
Semifinals: Defeated Ponte Vecchio at Night 793-142.
Integration
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Narrative: Hongdae, an exuberant neighborhood located in Seoul, is where the distinct Korean culture and customs are uniquely exhibited in a modernized fashion. The well-known traditional characteristics of the Korean language, fashion, foods, arts, and many aspects of life are unexpectedly transformed and integrated into the self-expressed pop culture. Hongdae houses numerous restaurants, galleries, markets, and performance stages, allowing people like me to not only see but, altogether, live the unimaginably integrated life and culture.
First Round: Defeated A Queen’s View 86-79.
Second Round: Defeated My Moment of Awe 176-141.
Third Round: Tied Ponte Vecchio at Night 372-372.
Semifinals: Defeated Mindlessly Grazing 526-282.
See more student-submitted international photos by following SDSU Be International on Instagram.
The global experience, as told by SDSU students 
Comment on this post