Step 1: View the photo finalists
Please view all 10 photos before voting for your favourite. Each photo has a caption describing the photo and how it showcases the student's international impact and experience.
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01 - Buttermilks, California
This is a picture of me bouldering in the Buttermilks, a boulder field near Bishop, California. On this adventure I was both humbled and inspired by people I met climbing. Many of the people there were living in their vans, hopping around the desert climbing or hiking every day. Some worked remote software jobs and other worked part time on and off, but everyone was free and living life to their fullest, which was inspiring to see.
02 - London, England
The double-decker bus stands as an enduring symbol of the United Kingdom, faithfully shuttling countless commuters to and from their workplaces daily. This photo was captured on the top level of one on my way back from work as I admired the slowly dimming sunset and the unique buildings steeped in centuries of history.
As my first time working abroad, I was struck with a sense of awe at the stark contrasts between my familiar routine in Canada and the new, vibrant surroundings I now found myself in – the bus driver sitting on the wrong side, the picturesque Victorian homes to my left, the quaint overhanging light posts. Yet, as I continued gazing out of the window, I noticed another double-decker bus approaching with the familiar word “Waterloo.”
Although it was just another bus passing by, seeing the word gently reminded me of my homesickness and the unique parts that make Waterloo special too – the line of geese blocking the road, the liveliness of SLC as students rush to class. However, as I gazed out of the bus window, I realized that traces of home could be found in the most unexpected places; all I needed to do was look.
Weaving practices can be traced back to ancient traditions in India which has permeated into contemporary culture, industry, and politics. The move to establish India's independence from Britain promoted the use of domestic products to establish self-sufficiency and self-rule.
Working at Avani Earthcraft in the Himalayan region broadened my perspective on the impact individuals can have on the community. Avani provides productive and fair employment to over 500 farmers and artisans which is especially important in remote villages due to a lack of economic growth. These artisans produce hand crafted naturally dyed textiles and plant-based pigments. Also choosing to combat prejudices through caste inequality, Avani provides shelter and employment to those facing the ramifications of antiquated and unfair beliefs.
Another current challenge facing communities in the Himalayan region is the recurrence of forest fires which are spread by pine needles that fall during dry summer months in the large surrounding pine forests. These fires destroy biodiversity in an already fragile Himalayan ecosystem and rut human lives at risk. Combating this through engineering biomass gasifiers allows for reducing carbon emissions, regenerates biodiversity, and creates avenues for human prosperity.
04 - Taroko National Park, Taiwan
I took this photo when I was travelling down the east coast of Taiwan, specifically in Taroko National Park. I was crossing Pudu Bridge to visit the structure in this photo, Xiangde temple. It is said to be a place of tranquility to get away from the busyness of life. Living in Taiwan, it can sometimes be hard to get away from work amidst the hustle and bustle of life in the city. I was lucky enough to have weekends off during my co-op work term and was able to visit a place like this.
The temple is very quiet, and really made me appreciate the break away from the city. I visited many more temples after this experience, and it has had a great impact on my personal growth. It has helped me realize how important it is to get away in nature and appreciate the quiet parts of life. There are many temples throughout this park, and all had a very similar, calming atmosphere. I was able to sit in silence or listen to the singing of those who had come to worship. It truly was an eye-opening experience.
As I stand in the gentle rain under my umbrella, I can't help but feel the contrast between the bustling streets of Tokyo, where I spend most of my days, and this quiet, rainy midnight in Kyoto. It's a vivid reminder of Japan's unique blend of modernity and tradition. While just a short distance away, Tokyo dazzles with neon signs, colossal shopping centers, and futuristic amenities, here in the heart of the Geisha district, lantern lights cast a warm glow, and century-old ramen shops line the cobblestone streets. This photo captures the essence of daily life in Japan, with its duality of new and old.
06 - Mojave Desert, California
This photo was taken at sunrise on the peak of sand dunes in the Mohave desert. I remember standing at the top, after an hour of desperate running and climbing against the shifting sand, in a state of complete euphoria while admiring the lightening sky and rising sun. The other people on this hike, who were once strangers and now companions through this experience, were just as tired and exalted by the awe-inspiring view. It was a much-needed reminder that we don't live to work; but that we work to live and enjoy the friendships and experiences that signify our existence, and how important it is to protect the planet and environmental areas like this desert for future generations.
07 - Waitan, Shanghai
This photograph was captured in Shanghai, close to the Waitan area, overlooking the waterfront. It stands as one of the city's most iconic tourist destinations, symbolizing the essence of Shanghai. It marked one of my last trips in Shanghai to hang out with the friends and colleagues I met during my time there. Our aim was to reach the waterfront just before sunset to capture the breathtaking views across the river. However, the summer season had drawn a massive influx of tourists to the city, making it challenging for us to locate each other amidst the bustling crowds. Eventually, well past sunset, we managed to reach the shoreline. To our delight, we were treated to a glorious night view as an unexpected gift arising from a series of coincidences.
08 - Hell's Valley, Germany
This photograph captures the breathtaking Hell's Valley nestled within the mysterious Black Forest, which famously inspired the Brothers Grimm tales. It was taken with a 35mm Minolta 500si Film Camera near the summit of Zuggspitze, the tallest mountain in Germany. The ascent of this legendary setting spanned two days, where we found ourselves amidst tempestuous lightning storms.
As we ventured deeper into this land of legends and folklore, my superstitious swelled, well aware of the mountain's grim reputation for claiming the lives of intrepid mountaineers. The weather seemingly cleared at 3 a.m. and with full determination, we donned our harnesses, helmets, and crampons embarking on a ten-hour ascent of perilous glacier crossings, treacherous crevasses and shear limestone rock faces. All three of us reached the summit, carrying with us a tale of remarkable resilience.
This photograph symbolizes my personal growth, rooted in my experience of working abroad as a geotechnical engineering research assistant in Hamburg, Germany. Throughout my travels across Europe, i had the privilege of meeting incredible individuals from diverse corners of the world. It dawned on me how impactful simply sharing stories connects us in profound ways. The realization that each person possesses a unique narrative and that we can explore the world in meaningful conversations resonated deeply with me. If there's one story I long to convey, it's the extraordinary journey of conquering a 3000 meter mountain in the heart of the Alps.
09 - Yosemite National Park, California
This pristine landscape featuring a waterfall juxtaposed with forest fire smoke underlines the urgency of UN's Goal 13: Climate Action as it captures nature's resilience amidst adversity. My international work term was both technically rewarding and culturally educational - as I was able to explore local art, music, cuisine, and other activities but not without noticing the extreme impact all of these things had on the environment.
During my time there, Southern California experienced record amounts of rainfall in the spring causing widespread flooding. This is now causing an extreme forest fire season due to the amount of vegetation that has grown as a result and subsequently dried. In the midst of these challenges and opportunities for cultural enrichment, my work term underscored the pressing need for action to address climate change and preserve beautiful landmarks such as this one.
10 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
This photo was taken in Amsterdam, the Netherlands during my co-op term in Spring 2023. Every year during Pride Amsterdam in August, the Q-Park building is wrapped with a progress pride flag in celebration of Pride festivities. The project was initiated by the popular local restaurant Waterkant, located on the ground floor of the building. The restaurant owners are a queer couple who wish to spread positive and cheerful spirits by wrapping the entire building with colourful fabric, marking it as a safe space for the LGBTQ2S+ community. It was reported as the world's largest pride flag.
The Q-Park building itself is a classic brutalist-style parking structure that sits alongside the canal, providing much-needed parking spaces in central Amsterdam. Commonly regarded as the "Gay Capital of the World", working in Amsterdam provided me with first-hand experience living in an inclusive and diverse urban environment. It has laid a solid foundation for my thesis work of investigating Queer Spaces in Toronto for the Master of Architecture program.
My thesis is focused specifically on investigating Toronto as a Queer Arrival city. Queers from across the world are drawn to Toronto, but why here? When they land in the Church-Wellesley village and other queer enclaves, do they stay? If they do, why, and if they don’t, what draws them away? Diving deep into these issues will uncover how Toronto, and specially these queer enclaves, align with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals like Gender Equality, Good Health and Well-Being, and Reduced Inequalities.
Step 2: Vote!
Use the form below to select the winner of this year's "Where in the world?!" co-op photo contest.
- You may only select one winner and you can only vote once. If you make a mistake or would like to change your vote you can edit your vote after submitting it.
- Voting begins on Tuesday, November 8, 2023 at 9 a.m. (ET) and ends on November 22, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
Information and privacy: questions regarding the collection of information on this form can be directed to the form administrator.
