"Where in the World?!" Co-op Photo Contest, 2019

Russell "At the end of my work term, I had the opportunity to visit Australia. Pictured here is a sunset viewed from the iconic Sydney Opera House. I found myself mesmerized by the beautiful colours in the sky and warm glow of the sun. With everything that goes on during a co-op or school term, life can get pretty hectic at times; the peace and tranquility of this sunset offered a nice contrast."

Nathania "This was taken at Valley View in Yosemite National Park. I wanted to submit this photo because it taught me to make the most out of what I'm given. I initially went to Yosemite in the hopes of doing some astrophotography. However, the weekend I was there just so happened to be a full moon which masked all of the stars. I still decided to shoot because this was one of the only chances that I'd get to go and this photo was the result of that."

Nicole "Have you ever felt on top of the world? One might feel this way when standing 2815 meters above sea level surrounded by massive mountains. This photo was taken at the Rotenboden stop on the Gornergrat Bahn train in Zermatt, Switzerland. I hiked from the stop down to Riffelsee lake where I spotted the picture perfect moment - a happy dog enjoying the flowers with the Matterhorn in the background (You can almost taste the Toblerone). There is nothing quite like inner peace and happiness I felt while listening to the blissful silence and whisper of the wind."

Just like any other learning opportunity, doing co-op in a country I've never even stepped foot on made anxious in ways I never imagined. Although I did my work term abroad in Shanghai, this photo was taken in Suzhou, a popular, old city near Shanghai. I had taken my cousin, who at the time was visiting from Taiwan, on a mini day trip to this beautiful city. She has always been a big sister and never fails to be there for me. It could have been time or personal adjustment but after her visit, I stopped feeling anxious for the remainder of my time in Shanghai."

Lucy "Often times we are too focused on reaching a goal in life that we often forget to stop and reflect on the things we have experienced, the people we have met and the accomplishments we have made. When I was climbing the Vessel at New York City, I was so focused on getting to the top, I forgot to breath and enjoy the scenery around me. When I finally reached the top, completely out of breath, I realized that the beauty of the Vessel is not what you saw at the top, but what you see when you looked down."

Natasha "I was inspired to submit this photo because Bosnia is gorgeous despite their tragic history of a recent war. I saw videos of the war and this bridge was completely destroyed and then rebuilt. The bridge signifies the connection between the two sides of the city - Muslim (left side) and Christian side (right side). Today it is a multicultural city with Muslims, Serbians, and Croatians. To take the photo I visited a mosque and was astonished by the colours and culture. I climbed up one foot wide, winding steps to reach the peak of the mosque and took this photo."

California / Andy / "This is a photo of me exploring Lands End, a scenic park in San Francisco the runs along the coast. Fittingly, this photo was taken the last week of August at the end of my co-op term in California. I see this photo as the end of a chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one, as this was my final (and favourite) co-op. I am now entering my 4th year at Waterloo ready to apply the skills I've learned abroad as a student and future engineer."

Switzerland / Alexander / "This photo was taken when I went skiing in the Swiss Alps on my last co-op; I worked in southern Germany with friends in Switzerland. I had to bring a little bit of Canada with me so I wore my Maple Leafs Jersey overtop my coat. I thought this photo perfectly showed how Canadians can still be insufferable hockey fans halfway across the world."

China / Yiwen / This picture was taken at the seaside of Weihai. Weihai is my hometown, it is a small city on the tip of the Shandong Peninsula. The photo was taken on a cloudy evening when my boyfriend wants to show me his favourite place as a kid. We sat in a park near the seaside and watched the boats in the small harbour floating up and down. The atmosphere is quiet and lonely yet very peaceful. It reminds me of a German word, “Waldeinsamkeit”. It means sitting in a forest alone and feel you are blending with nature, lonely but beautiful."

Australia / Brynne / "This Koala is soaking up the afternoon sun with a wee nap; a perfect representation of my time in Australia. I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to the land down under to live, work, and travel for four months. In this photograph, I was able to capture both the lush beauty of Australian flora and fauna as well as the magnificent sun they experience every day, so I had to share it with other people. And, if you look real close, you can see another common sight in Australia - a spider web. "

Washington / Steve / "This last summer term was my first work term outside of Canada and the first in Washington. One weekend a couple of friends and I made the trip to Vancouver. During the whole car ride, I was thinking about how beautiful the West Coast is and how grateful I am for the opportunity to work outside of Canada and explore the world. During the ride I noticed the sun setting so I quickly took a picture of the sun while we were on our way from Seattle to Vancouver. I will never forget this co-op term."

Nevada / Aaron / "This photo was taken after I had moved back to Reno Nevada to complete my 2nd co-op term at Tesla. Living in Reno was very different than traditional "Silicon Valley" companies because I was the only Waterloo co-op at the time in Reno. Since there were such few interns and we all lived together, we all got really close and made lifelong connections. On this particular day, we decided on a spur of the moment decision to go to the park and throw a ball around! We ended up walking a beautiful trail which is where this photo was taken. I chose this picture because it reminds me of the importance of friendship."

The United Kingdom / Mingxiao / "The photo was taken when I was in the Fitzwilliam Museum of Cambridge. It includes an old couple who sits next to each other appreciating the wonderful works of art displaying in the museum. This scene touched me deeply as they could understand each other well enough without much talk and enjoy the moment of serenity with the involvement of arts and history. To me, this is the best epitome of love: what we always look for is a person whom I enjoy sharing moments of tranquillity and the appreciation of life beauty."

New York / Aiwei / " The most defining characteristic of UW's campus is the many herds of geese that call it home. When I first came to New York, I thought it couldn't be more different from Waterloo, but coming across this building still reminded me of my home town. New York has taught me that no matter where I go, the birds will follow."

Washington / Chistina / "This is a candid photo that a friend took of me on a hike near Serene Lake at the “Bridal Veil Falls” in Washington, USA. I love this picture because it reminds me of the beauty in nature that can be hard to find when we’re busy working and studying all the time. There’s a sense of relaxation that’s induced when standing next to a waterfall of this magnitude - it can make your everyday worries seem quite insignificant."

California / Shuxian / "The photo was taken as I squatted on the beach in Malibu, attempting all sorts of grotesque positions to capture this remarkable sunset. Behind me, there were rows of houses that lined the streets, and indifferent locals that strolled by - what was a spectacle to me was just a regular sight to them. This photo serves as a humbling reminder that beauty resides everywhere, yet we are all oblivious to the art in everyday things. Take a moment to slow down during the frantic search for novelty, and instead appreciate the seemingly mundane things that have faded into the background."

China / Ziying / "It was taken on a sunny afternoon when I enjoyed my weekend in the apartment last work term. After I washed my dishes I passed the balcony and suddenly found the rainbow outside. I was so excited and confused since there's no rain that day. I took the photo and shared with my friends and parents. Now I wish to share the beautiful rainbow and my luck with everyone!"

The Dominican Republic / Jessica / "This photo was taken in the Dominican Republic where I was working as an Assistant Teacher during my first co-op term with the Esperanza Project. My whole journey in the Dominican Republic was eye-opening yet inspiring. I never in my life would have thought I would ever do something like what I did because I was so caught in being in my comfort zone. I found peace in my comfort zone but with that I realized we will miss out on a lot of great endeavours out there. From my work term in the Dominican Republic I met so many great yet inspiring people that have taught me so much as well as many life lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. This picture in a sense relates to life, life can be long, but it is also fragile. A photo can never really tell the full story but behind the island there is more bridges and more little islands. Not many people will take a step out of their comfort zone but once you do there are long bridges filled with a beautiful unknown and endless opportunities. Once you take the step onto the bridge and out of your comfort zone there will be people you never would have thought you would meet, endless memories and endless opportunities. The people you meet in those circumstances can be people you become so close with and have this special bond with. Take that step out of your comfort zone and you will see this world has so much to offer and amazing yet unforgettable opportunities. In addition, there are many islands that are part of the bridge and that can also represent a point in someone’s life whether it is a high point or low point, but it is a point that is part of their journey. Take that step out of your comfort zone and see what this beautiful world has to offer my friend."

This is a photo of sea lions at a popular tourist spot pier 39, in San Fransisco. I have never seen so many in my life! It was awesome.!

Hong Kong / Mercedes / "As an extrovert, I gain energy from other people and I find it hard to spend time on my own. This being my first solo trip I was worried about travelling alone. It didn’t take long before I fell in love with solo travel as I was able to meet so many new people from around the world. This photo taken at Hong Kong's Victoria Peak trail reminds me that there is so much beauty in slowing down and being alone. Hong Kong was the first solo trip I took while working in Singapore and it's one I won’t forget."

India / Andrew / "This is me sitting at a Hindu temple 2 minutes walk from my place of work during my summer co-op in India. This photo captures one of many moments spent at temples during my co-op term. For many people here, visiting the temple was part of everyday life. On special occasions, I was invited to the temple to have a meal with the local community. I am not wearing shoes in this photo because, in Indian culture, one should remove one's footwear before entering any temple or another person's home."

California / Pui Yue / "This is a photo of San Francisco taken fron Twin Peaks, the city's highest summit. Throughout the whole term I have been wanting to visit, but not having a car proved difficult to reach. San Francisco is known for these hilly, slopy and intertwining streets, always covered under a thick layer of fog. Being able to finally see the whole city and able to recognize places that I have explored from the higher view is what I think choosing this photo best represents my work term this summer 2019.

California / Rolina / "I lived right next to this beautiful scene. I walk past it every day I come back from work, yet I’m always trying to hurry back home and never noticed it. If it wasn’t for my friend who pointed it out during his visit, I may have never been able to capture this. The photo is a reminder for me to sit down and enjoy the scene every often. As I rush myself everywhere, I turned my head away from the beautiful details in nature and forgot to embrace the moment.

Croatia / Amanda / "This is a photo of me cliff jumping in Croatia this past summer. I was inspired to take this photo because this past summer was an incredible experience and I wanted to remember every moment. Doing my CO-OP abroad allowed me to become very independent and appreciate every moment and opportunity that is given to me. This picture was a seize the day moment for me."

California / Haoxi / "This is a view of the surrounding ranch in Calistoga. The photo's inspiration is the breathtaking scenery and the sense of calm and tranquillity that it instills. I really wanted to capture that essence since it's a truly once in a lifetime experience."

China / Ramneek / "I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Shenzhen during my co-op in the USA. This is the view outside the St.Regis building on the 96th floor. Shenzhen is a major technology hub and the view outside the window made me imagine the possibilities humans could achieve and how far we have come. I had visited one of the major electronics markets that day, and this breathtaking view felt like a human circuit complete with lights, incredible architecture and millions of people binding together ideas to shape the future."

Switzerland / Damilola / "This is a photo of the Matterhorn, a Swiss Alpine mountain located in the city of Zermatt. I took this photo to share the raw beauty and personal growth I experienced daily in Switzerland. To me, the ubiquitous wire fence and gold padlock symbolize the restrictive nature of the comfort zone, and beyond these is one of the highest, most extreme Alpine summits, symbolizing adventure that awaits beyond. What I loved most about this experience was the opportunity for adventure, to positively challenge myself professionally, socially and mentally."

Bergen / Samantha / "This is the gorgeous view from the Stoltzekleiven trail, which goes up to the mountain Sandviksfjellet. We were in Bergen, without a clear plan about what to do next, and we were recommended this trail from the locals. They weren’t wrong about how beautiful it was!"

Colorado / Junyi / "While I was in Boulder, Colorado for Uber ATG this summer, I got the amazing chance to experience a great internship in a beautiful landscape. The area is surrounded by pristine nature and grand mountains, that are actually part of the Rocky Mountains which extend into Alberta! The culture in Colorado is very active – people love to hike, ski, and do all sorts of outdoor activities, and this photo of the Flatirons represents the nature of the state."

Amsterdam / Lauren / "I wanted to capture the peacefulness of my morning commute. Amsterdam is such a lively city, it was nice to find small moments to stop and appreciate its beauty. The houseboats along the canal are quintessentially Amsterdam and the glimpses of Dutch architecture remind me of what a unique place it is. I was inspired to submit this photo because I want to encourage others to try an international co-op by sharing an example of what amazing things you can find outside of your comfort zone. It reminds me of my new favourite place."

Utah / Ion / "This is a photo from inside Zion Canyon, capturing the Virgin River flowing south towards the canyon’s entrance. Being my first co-op term outside of Ontario, and have never visited the Southwest USA before, I went on a road trip through the canyons and mesas that used to be an ocean bed. It was not hard to imagine how, when artist Dellenbaugh brought paintings of Zion to World’s fair, people were in disbelief about the parks’ steep orange cliffs peppered with green foliage. For me, it was the most beautiful place I’ve been to, and one I’d like to share."

California / Taha / "This photo is taken at Mission Peak in Fremont, CA. At the top of the trail, there is a 6-foot tall pole called "Mission Peaker" which is there to promote environmental awareness and is sealed with 5-time capsules to be opened after 2090 with a focus on rainforest preservation, AIDS, and homelessness. With climate change being a topic of debate in our society, I decided to submit this photo to show the impact decisions we make have on the world around us."

Netherlands / Amelia / "This photograph is of three of my University of Waterloo friends cycling along the forest bike path from Zoutelande to Vlissingen. This was taken after watching our Dutch friend cross the finish line of the Kustmarathon Zeeland marathon, which is known as one of the hardest marathons in the world, due to its beach and sand dune components. As we giggled and felt the sea air whooshing past, I couldn’t help but feel very lucky to be living, working, and exploring the Netherlands with these hilarious, loving girls. I wanted to capture how happy and carefree I felt in that moment."

Singapore / Isabel / "It’s 6:13am on a dreary Monday morning and Singapore wakes up to rain slicked roads from the storm the night before. With the streetlamps still glowing and the roads gleaming, I snap this photo crossing the overpass towards the bus which will take me further into the drove of blinking red brake lights. Before I get swept into my day, this photo always reminds me that there is stillness and tranquility even in a city of over five million people."

Washington / Daniel / "This is an awesome view from the top of one of the peaks of Crystal Mountain Ski Resort, about an hour from Seattle. I was on a company ski trip with my employer at the time. Quite a different experience from the types of hills we get in Ontario!"

China / Linging / "The photo was taken while I participated in the annual enterprise awards ceremony of BMO. Also, this was the first time for me to be a receptionist of such an important annual meeting, responsible for seat arrangements and gift distribution. We spent a wonderful night together"

California / Andy / "This is a photo of me exploring Lands End, a scenic park in San Francisco the runs along the coast. Fittingly, this photo was taken the last week of August at the end of my co-op term in California. I see this photo as the end of a chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one, as this was my final (and favourite) co-op. I am now entering my 4th year at Waterloo ready to apply the skills I've learned abroad as a student and future engineer."

China / Danying / "The photos were taken when I visited Shanghai's best places in the city. Shanghai is a beautiful, colourful and convenient city to live in. I wish i will have chances to work or live there after graduation."

Japan / Matthew / "I had the privilege to visit Japan in August during my Fall 2019 co-op term in South Korea. This photo of the Japanese wheat field located in Sapporo was taken on the second day of the trip. Working at a lab for a couple of months straight, I could not help myself but feel exhausted. However, this beautiful sight of mother nature freed me from all my daily worries, allowing myself to feel motivated again. So, to anyone who sees this photograph, I hope you gain the courage to overcome any obstacles in your life." Consent: By sending you this email, I hereby agree to the terms and conditions on the media release form."

China / Pui Yue / "This is a photograph taken at the summit of Victoria Peak, Hong Kong, known for the highest point for the irresistable city view. The photo uses portrait mode that frames the overlapping layers of the foreground: the aftermath of the Mangkhut typhoon in September 2018 with the broken tree branches; then the midground of the tall highrise concrete towers of HK Island, then in the hazed background stands the highest skyscraper, the International Commerce Center (ICC). This photograph is chosen to represent and summarizes my work term in Fall 2018, having explored this city by foot, reaching the summit via an hour hike from Sai Wan gave me the statisfying feeling of truly understanding the city."

California / John / "Sitting on a cool boardwalk amidst a meadow of settling fog, I took this photo of the night sky, in the central valley of Yosemite National Park. Blessed with beautifully clear skies and no moon, sitting around chatting while stargazing with some friends new and old, this was the most perfect opportunity to take 30 consecutive photos and capture the mystical star trails around Polaris (the North Star). I’ve been teaching myself new ways of seeing life through a lens for 2 years now, and can say that this photo is one of the most incredible I have ever composed. "

Switzerland / Iris / "Appenzell, Switzerland on an early autumn day. While the scenery is beautiful and the region is well known for its aromatic cheese, Appenzell is also infamous for being the last region in Switzerland to legalize female voting (in the 1990s)! While I went there for a 2-day weekend hike, I couldn't help but think about the glacial and human time scales linked to this place. "

Austria / Derek / "I biked from Murnau, Germany (southern Bavaria) to the beautiful Plansee lake in Austria. It was a 130 km round trip, going over a mountain range with beautiful views. The picture was taken by a local German friend and cycling enthusiast that I had met while on my co-op. He noticed that I was passing his house every day on my cycling commute and introduced himself to a local village gathering. Through the photo, I want to share the natural beauty of the region that I was in, and to show the power of cycling as it can connect people together at an international level."

California / Shi-Han / "This is a panoramic shot of the interior of the headquarter of Apple Inc., Apple Park. The rainbow built for celebrating its official opening is in the centre. The background is the mountain of Santa Clara Valley."

Slovakia / Barbara Virsik / "This photo was taken at my sisters' graduation ball in the historical part of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia that I was working in for my Spring 2019 Co-op term. I decided to submit this photo because it showcases the beauty of the capital of Slovakia as well as the Bratislava castle and the Martin Dome which are the most popular sights in Bratislava."

Kenya / Sean Miller / "This is a photo of Lake Victoria at daybreak. While working in Kisumu, a city in Western Kenya located along the shores of Africa's largest lake, I had the opportunity to go on an early morning sailing journey to spot birds and hippos. Though the wildlife was spectacular, the highlight of the day was getting to see the sunrise over the lake right next to a traditional Swahili fishing dhow."

Taiwan / Melina Bhattachan / "This is a polaroid I took while hiking Elephant Mountain, a famous hiking trail in Taipei, Taiwan. It's a double exposure polaroid - the iconic Taipei building can be seen in the background, and trees frame the picture. For me, this photo encapsulates everything great about Taiwan. Modern architecture with Asian traditions, in contrast with scenic and impressive landscapes. All while the sun sets on another beautiful day in Taiwan."

California / Han Yuan Cao / "This is a photo of the oldest intersection in Redwood City, Main & Broadway. On the left is the Sequoia Hotel, built-in 1912. On the right used to be the Bank of San Mateo County, erected in 1900. I am charmed every time I pass by this historic site, and I wanted to share the beauty of a century past by in a town that was, unaware it will grow into a city of the Silicon Valley."

Austria / Jan Lau / "This is a photo of a German flag. I was spending a weekend in Salzburg when I saw a German flag moving gracefully in the wind. The German culture is stereotypically known for its less-friendly people and aggressive-sounding language. However, I find it quite the contrary after living in Stuttgart for 8 months. The people are very kind and their expression of friendliness is considered very subtle in other cultures’ eyes. The flag’s graceful movement is an analogy of people’s perception of Germany. It may seem to be moving aggressively, but if you look closely, it’s very graceful."

Scotland / Hannah Murphy / "This photo was taken on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is a beautiful city, but this trip was incredible mainly because of the people. I met up with a group of Waterloo students who were also in Europe for work / exchange terms that I had only seen once or twice before. After getting back to Canada we meet up every now and then to catch-up and reminisce. ‘Starting over’ every 4 months can be challenging but knowing that there are other Waterloo students across the world to go on adventures like this one makes it a lot easier."

Switzerland / Peter Van Nooten / "At the peak of Santis, the highest point in eastern Switzerland, six different countries are visible on a clear, sunny day. Heavenly majesty of the Swiss Alps sweeps beyond, into the south, sprawling as far as the eye can see. It offers a serene, breathtaking view, showcasing both the staggering and yet peaceful serenity of the countless, rolling peaks of the Alps. Sitting there pensively, captured by their snow-capped beauty, I thought, were I to stay there forever, I would never grow tired and what I saw on that warm, late June afternoon."

Spain / Muhammad Subhan Altaf / "This photo shows the ceiling of Mezquita Del Cristo De La Luz in Toledo, Spain. It highlights the essence of exchange, which is to learn about a new culture and explore things you wouldn’t in regular Engineering studies at UW. The building in this photo was built in 999 AD. Its architects used intricate geometric patterns to highlight the Spanish society’s advanced knowledge in mathematics (for its time). The building also showcases religious harmony as its architecture has influences from both Muslim and Christian rules. Toledo is famous for its long history of peaceful coexistence between Muslims, Christians, and Jews."

Germany / Ayush Ghosh / "It was a beautiful summer evening. I was attending a recital at the majestic Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall where I was greeted with this stunning view from the top this controversial landmark, overlooking the historic port of Hamburg on the river Elbe. This port has been the core of Hamburg politics and culture since it was founded in the year 1189 as one of Europe’s first free trade centers. It was awe-inspiring to think of the centuries of history that have passed through this place and yet the magic is still fresh in the air."

California / Yu Cong Du / "This is a photo of the Los Angeles flight, a narrow-gauge railway located in downtown Los Angeles, California. It amazed me by how a railway can be situated in the heart of the city, and how efficient it is for local residents as a form of elevating transportation. The railway first operated in 1901, after which it has undergone numerous shut downs. It has survived to the state as a public transit costing per ride. It gave me a view of how unique American culture can be.

India / Taleya Ouellet / "Well I was in India, I visited a book market in Kolkata. The majority of the books were outside and Dusty. Halfway through the bargaining of an old poetry book, I stop to realize that although to me this was simply a fun tourist attraction, to others this was their only independence to education as they could not afford or were too busy to attend school. After that moment I appreciated the University of Waterloo and my freedom to education and decided to fall back in love with the reading and learning as a whole."

Luxembourg / Erica Pietroniro / "This photo brings back vivid memories of a brisk and beautiful first bike ride to work. A successful trip to the cycle shop – and some creative French/English communication – resulted in the purchase of a bike, and a new sense of independence. No longer brilliant on the bus, this first cycle through the Luxembourgish countryside reminded me that these hectic weeks of settling in has been successful. I was getting my footage in this unfamiliar place and felt proud of it. So, I stop my bike, admire the beauty of where I was and what I'd accomplished, and captured the feeling."

China / Yajur Mahajan / "This picture was taken at ZhangJiaJie National forest park in the Hunan province of China. The park was famous for its pillar-like sandstone mountains. It also inspired the world of Pandora from the movie Avatar. We hiked up a nice pathway with stairs and before we knew it, we had this amazing view in front of us."

England / Oriana Coburn / "Brighton is a vibrant seaside city in south England that I was lucky to call home this summer. The seafront became my favourite place to run along and watch the sunset. One night during my last week, I was walking home and a pool of water on the ground caught my eye as the sunset was reflected in it. It was only as I was taking the photo that I realized the shape of the water resembled a human face. "

California / Danial Betres / "This is a picture of Bixby Bridge along the Pacific coast highway (PCH) in California. I’m a big fan of road trips in this picture perfectly illustrates what a drive along the PCH looks like! Full of greenery, mountains, the oceans and a clear blue sky. I hope this picture motivates you to make a road trip down PCH as much as it does for me!"

California / Yu Fan (Matthew) Deng / "It was the third weekend during the work term, me and the other coop were invited for a team building event at the COO’s resort. We had great convo while walking along the shore, where sunset hit right on it. This photo was taken on my iPhone X, no edit and no filter, just original photo."

California / Felicity Chan / "This photo was taken at the Palace of Fine Arts, a popular tourist landmark, wedding venue, as well as the backdrop for various films, tucked away in the busy city of San Francisco. Just the ornate design of the ceiling, the least noticeable part of the structure, is enough to make you stop and admire the details in the architecture for a few moments."

Uganda / Devina Lookman / "This is a photo of me climbing Mount Elgon in Mbale, Uganda. We traveled to Eastern Uganda for a work trip and took some time to see the country at new heights. I was inspired to submit this specific photo because my time in this beautiful country had me climbing all sorts of mountains. At the end of it all, the whole experience taught me that the seemingly insurmountable circumstances in life are not only the ones most possible to endure, but to thrive in! Plus, the views are that much more phenomenal at the top."

Morocco / Aileen Agada / "While on a co-op term in Belgium, I decided to take a quick weekend trip to Marrakesh, Morocco. This photo was taken on my 2-hour camel ride trip through the Rock Desert. My camel’s name was Euyun Zurqa which means blue eyes in Arabic. The tour group and I made pit stops in local villages to speak with the locals and learn more about their cultural traditions. I submitted this picture because I want to encourage other students to not limit their travel experiences to the country they’re currently completing a co-op in. Get out there and explore the world! "

France / Leela Keshav / "Visiting Haut-Koenigsberg was an emotional experience, not only because of its medieval splendour but also because of my family’s connection to it. Over 70 years ago, my grandmother, then a German schoolgirl, was sent to live in the castle for her “safety” during the war. After a year, she was awoken one night to cries of “the Americans are coming!” It was D-Day, and the children had to flee. My grandmother walked for one month to get home, travelling only at night. I was thankful to have the chance to follow in her footsteps during my co-op in Paris."

Nepal / Benjsmin Labrecque / "After working for two months in an office located in the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, I had the opportunity to trek in the Himalayan Region of Nepal. On the 6th day I arrived at a small settlement where I witnessed the first snow of the year, overnight. The next morning, I woke up before the sunrise to capture this beautiful view and make my final ascent to the Annapurna Base Camp only few hours away. Here, at an elevation of 4130 m I stood surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the world."

Egypt / Lillian Lu / "My favourite part about travelling is meeting wonderful new people from all around the world. During my first co-op in Thailand, I met a tour guide from Egypt. Before starting my co-op in Uganda, we met again in Cairo along with his friends from AIESEC at Ain Shams University. We spent three weeks touring the country on a bus - from camping overnight in the Sahara Desert, to scuba diving in the Red Sea, to riding a camel down Mount Sinai, to visiting the Great Pyramids, to attempting to learn Arabic. What an adventure I'll never forget."

Japan / Tingyun Zuo / "This photo was captured in Kyoto, Japan. I went to Kyoto in late March and was disappointed that there were only flower buds. But one day, I happened to walk into a temple where this blooming cherry blossom tree was in front of. A lot of children wearing kimonos with their family. I later found out that it was for the 'thirteen annual', a ritual for children aged 13 to pray for wisdom and happiness. Thanks to this work term, I had the opportunity to enjoy the natural sceneries and learn about this amazing culture."

Japan / Ai Ching Chang / "This is a photo of the Japanese maple leaves that I collected during my trip to Karuizawa, a resort town in the Nagano prefecture. I was in Karuizawa to partake in the Japanese custom of "momijigari", which translates to red leaves hunting. People gather and visit scenic areas where the leaves have turned red, appreciating the fleeting beauty of the changing seasons. This photo highlights an important lesson from my experience in Japan: To live life ceremoniously in acknowledgement and celebration of the passage of time. Slogan: Japan taught me to celebrate changes in life."

Washington / Jefferey Chen / "This photo was taken outside my workplace in Redmond (suburb east of Seattle) in February. The past winter was an outlier: February was the region's snowiest month in 50 years! February also featured the largest snowstorm since 1990. Seattle winters usually consist of rainy days; heavy snowfall is a rarity. This photo reminds me of the weather I was accustomed to back in Toronto. Many cars on the road were not equipped with snow tires and as a result, many did not commute to work. However, the snow accumulation was short-lived, and rainfall became the norm after a few weeks."

California / Sterling Finn / "To get to the Foster City bike jumps take any dirt trail off the levee and go toward the bay. I came on my last weekend of coop, camera in hand. I grew up in Foster City and returned last winter for coop. In middle school we came here for airsoft gun wars, using the jumps as cover. On the Fourth of July we set off fireworks. Often we just came with bikes. This time I looked out at my hometown and felt the cool, salty air blowing in from the bay. This picture just brings me home."

The Netherlands / Nicholas Sia / "Rain has become a daily routine if you live in Amsterdam. The number of wet days is 217 out of 365 days per year. As a resident of Amsterdam, we get used to the rain and doing everything even if it’s raining. Biking in the rain in the morning to work is not a problem. Rain doesn’t hinder Amsterdammers’ daily activities. The bright side is we get rainbow most of the days in a year and even double rainbows."

Germany / Joscelyn Van Der Veen / "On the first day of my international work term, I explored Berlin, jetlagged and standing by the history and architecture of Europe. After wandering through the forest in the centre of the city, I emerged rather lost in the first place I found was incredible outdoor mall. The white sails extended above the modern building made this a perfect picturesque opportunity. With this photo, I hope to share the feeling of discovery I experience on that first day."

Oregan / Tyler Bowie / "The Pacific Northwest wonderland of Oregon gave me a true appreciation for work-life balance. An hour from the coast and an hour from the mountains, the Portland environment was a perfect place to call home for a lover of the outdoors like me. Aside from a great work experience in my co-op, I got the time to truly take in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest (and take in some awesome skiing). The view from Mt. Hood in this photo epitomizes what I learned in Portland. Take the time to appreciate the great people, amazing experiences, and bewildering views life throws at you."

The Netherlands / Jenna Huibers / "This is a picture of one of the main canals in the Art District near the Museumplein in Amsterdam. The canals are one of my favourite things about the Netherlands and part of what makes Amsterdam unique. There's a ton of history in them and it's so relaxing to sit alongside one at a cafe or restaurant (or eating a stroopwafel) and enjoy the moment."

New York / Sarthak Bharnagar / "This is a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge and New York's skyline at sunset. What inspired to me submit this picture was the experiences I've had on and around Brooklyn Bridge. Me and my friend were feeling rather "impulsive" that day and decided to get on a ferry and it just happened to be around sunset which let me capture the City that never sleeps, waking up."

Japan / Ziyi Zhuang / "This photograph captures a kid playing with water. She was enjoying herself playing with the water, without fretting about the past or the future. The world unveiled itself in its purest form and interacted with her in the language of joy and curiosity via touch. It reminded me of the purity and innocence in the world, beside the co-op experience. How we are just like her, stepping into the world, putting ourselves out there, trying to thrive it. Experiences like this are precious, formed the foundation of our worldview water and childhood, the essence and elixir of life.

Washington / Stephen Melinyshyn / "On the edge of National Olympic Park, Mount Walker offers amazing views of the Eastern Olympic mountain range. Hikers come out year round for the short 3.5 kilometer, but steep 600 meter elevation gain trail. This picture was taken in February 2019, when the snow is deep in the mountains, but thin in the lowlands. "

California / Rohan Agarwal / "This was my first time really seeing the coast of California and it was absolutely gorgeous. This picture was taken on the way home from Palm Springs, where I went to watch a professional level tennis tournament. I've been playing tennis since I was 4 years old and seeing idols of mine like Novak Djokovic was an amazing experience. I'll never forget this trip."

Uganda / Vrut / "This image was taken during my work term in Uganda, known as the Pearl of Africa. My family and I took this great opportunity to tour the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. This beautiful shot was captured at the Lake Mburo National Park in Western Uganda. The park is home to several attractive birds and animals, consisting of about 350 different species. Late in the day while I was taking the last few shots, a couple of zebras had created an eye-catching scene for all the tourists. This made me believe that “Everything comes to you at the right time. Be patient”."

Mississippi / Siyi (Terris) Wang / "Percy Quin State Park in McComb, Mississippi. Stepping into the forest made me forget about the modern world, as if I had been transported to another era. It was a pretty sight to see, especially in an early morning like this. With the rays of the rising sun seeping through, the newly revived vegetations in mid April looked to be flourishing as if it was mid summer. Everything was so still yet so alive. Standing in the midst of nature to witness its progress, ever so slow but consistent, it often arrives before our notice, I felt small but was reminded of something bigger."

Maria Trinidad Sanche / Angela Balasubramaniam / "This photo was taken on the beautiful island of the Dominican Republic, where I had spent five incredible months. This picture reminds me to live with passion, kindness and curiosity. As bold as the colors painted in the sky, the palm trees stand strong and free. This was taken 3 minutes from where I was living, a small town sitting right on the coast of every sunset. Following my trip, I had my local friend/tattoo artist ink something similar on my body. Later as I readjusted to “normal” life, it serves as a reminder to live life with color. "

Kenya / Afraaz Jadavji / "Kenya made me soft-hearted"

Kenya / Zhuang Zhuang Liu / "While on my culture in Arusha, Tanzania, I have the opportunity to visit Nairobi national Park one weekend. Located just a few kilometres from the city of Nairobi, our Safari vehicle crossed the bumpy trails in search of wildlife. When we encountered herd of Eland, I was taken by surprise because I didn’t know that these animals existed. The Safari made me realize the diversity of wildlife that lives on our planet and the important role that can conversations play in the protection of endangered species."