Four College students were among the winners in the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement’s 2024 photo contest. From a snapshot showcasing a flamenco dancer’s flair to a “wish-I-was-there” scenic vista of Lake Como, their images capture a sense of the novel sights and adventures that await students who choose to live and learn in another country. But the photos only tell part of the story. As we learned in recent interviews, even the stuff of everyday life can be a highlight when studying abroad.

First place: “Free for All”

Which program did you participate in, and why?

Since middle school I’d known I wanted to study abroad in England. I was obsessed with everything and everyone “British,” likely because of my infatuation with the Harry Potter series, and I fell in love with London when I visited with a student ambassador program, People to People. I told everyone I knew in my tiny farm town in Texas that one day I’d study abroad, and I distinctly remember many adults politely laughing at my ambitions.

That experience only fueled me to pursue my dreams and finally make the hop across the pond. I studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science during my junior year and was an international relations student in the General Course Program.

What was the highlight of your study abroad experience?

While this might sound simplistic, studying abroad truly showed me how massive the world is. Through London’s diverse food scene, I experienced dozens of new cuisines, cultures and traditions with friends I met while there. I also traveled to over 10 countries and three continents; I truly believe that London is the perfect launchpad to explore the rest of the world.

I have so many highlights — like seeing [singer-songwriter] Jessie Ware front row at Ally Pally, one of London’s big music venues; dancing to Depeche Mode at the O2 arena; screaming at RuPaul’s Drag Race UK viewing parties; traveling through Europe with classmates and so on — and I owe everything to the incredible friends I made throughout my journey. From Lisbon to Oslo, I’m forever thankful for every laugh, dance and meal shared.

Tell me about your winning photo.

My photo, For Sandro, was taken in Lenno, Italy, just before winter swept across most of Europe in November 2023. My best friend Alessandro — whom I met in the program — and I decided to escape London’s chilly winds for a sunny weekend exploring the picturesque villages along Lake Como.

When I first moved to London, I was still navigating a turbulent period in my life, and the gloomy weather certainly didn’t make it any easier. Then I met Alessandro, and our friendship instantly felt like a warm hug, bringing me a bit of light and joy when I needed it most. For Sandro captures not only a beautiful landscape but also the appreciation and love I feel for a lifelong friend who’s kept me smiling ever since.

Miss you, Alessandro!

First place: “Lions Abroad”

Name: Anna Patchefsky CC’25 (she/her/hers)
Major: History, with a minor in French

Which program did you participate in, and why?

I spent Spring 2024 at Reid Hall as part of the French immersion program with Columbia in Paris. I had always wanted to study abroad in Paris. Or rather, maybe, I always knew that somehow I would. In high school I read Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince. My well-loved copy sits back home; it’s a 10th-grade relic, complete with misspelled annotations and arrows connecting illustrations to my teacher’s often absurd philosophical anecdotes.

I spent the earlier part of college ignoring the fact that I wanted to read, learn and live in French. But I realized I wanted to really learn French. Reid Hall was perfect. There, in one of the most beautiful spaces in the city, I could continue to learn the language I had started in high school.

What was the highlight of your study abroad experience?

I really loved just living in Paris. Sometimes, in the mornings, my roommate and I would walk to the farmers market in our neighborhood, Place d’Aligre. We would grab a baguette and butter and sit by the windows. Other times we would get fresh strawberries on our walk home from ballet class — the teacher knew we were Americans because of our technique. I also loved the professors at Reid Hall. My French teacher, Pascale Benhaim, laughed with us all the way through learning the language. I also met some of my greatest friends while studying at Reid Hall.

Tell me about your winning photo.

Paris that spring was really quite cold. Apparently the whole of February only had 36 hours of direct sunlight. I am not sure if that is true. But, when it was warm we had a picnic. I had gotten to Parc Monceau early with two of my friends. Maya used to be allergic to cherries but now counts each one she eats, and Elias thought he would look cooler in the sunglasses. We waited for friends to come and join, and hoped that, finally, we might get some sun.

First place: “Cultures, Customs and Traditions”

Which program did you participate in, and why?

I participated in the CIEE Engineering + Society program in Madrid in Spring 2024. I was drawn to it first for the language component, as I knew I wanted to be in a Spanish-speaking country so I could achieve fluency. Additionally, while most study abroad programs focus on humanities and languages courses, this one actually offered classes for my major and many other STEM majors, which meant I could also work toward graduation requirements while there.

What was the highlight of your study abroad experience?

The highlight for me was living in a homestay with a Spanish mom. Although homestays can be very intimidating, it was absolutely the best thing I could have done to increase my language proficiency and acquire a genuine understanding of the culture. I spoke Spanish all day, every day, learned native and colloquial phrases, and also really bonded with my host mom.

Tell me about your winning photo.

I took the photo in Sevilla during a flamenco performance at a venue called Casa de la Guitarra. Flamenco has a rich cultural history in Sevilla, and I was thrilled to get the chance to view a performance. I found the female performers in particular, with their dramatic dances and beautiful dresses, to really be the highlight of the experience, and I think this photo illustrates that.

First place: “Landscapes and Cityscapes”

Which program did you participate in, and why?

In Summer 2024 I participated in the Columbia Summer in Venice Program. I took two courses, “Art in Venice” and “Contemporary Art at the Biennale.” As an art history major, the opportunity to study Venice’s rich artistic heritage while witnessing the cutting-edge moments of contemporary art at the Biennale was certainly appealing. After speaking with several Columbia alumni who had participated in the program and who shared their positive experiences, I knew it was the right choice for me.

What was the highlight of your study abroad experience?

Living in the quiet, residential neighborhood of Sant’Elena, away from the bustling tourist areas, was a highlight. I loved taking vaporetto rides (the Venetian equivalent of the subway) and indulging in many, many gelatos throughout the six weeks. One particularly memorable moment occurred after a walk from San Marco Square with my roommates. As we returned to our little neighborhood of Sant’Elena, we were drawn by music and excitement in the near distance. To our surprise, the corner cafe had transformed into a vibrant music show. People of all ages were drumming, singing and dancing, all enjoying the magical moment.

Tell me about your winning photo.

This is a picture of Florence, taken from the top of Giotto’s Bell Tower. My roommates and I had decided to take a trip there one weekend. We visited the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and climbed the 414 steps to reach the top of the Bell Tower next door. The weather that day was perfect, and the way the sunlight glazed over the hilltops and the signature red rooftops of the city inspired me to capture this image.