Study abroad offers chance to share

Study Abroad photo contest shows what happens outside the classroom.

By Theresa Berens

Published April 16, 2009

On a train ride back to Prague, Czech Republic, from a trip to Munich, Germany, senior Anne Flaker learned the importance of her bilingual ability. She shared a car with an elderly man who spoke no English, while she spoke nearly no Czech. They soon discovered they could communicate with one another in Spanish. The gentleman began to share his life story.

Flaker, a Spanish and international relations major, quickly learned how this man had been away from Prague, where he met his wife, for a very long time. As the train made it to the fringes of the city, she saw his happiness in returning home. She documented this poignant moment in a photo.

Flaker later entered the photo in the MU International Center's Study Abroad Photo Contest, a competition that has been held for more than 15 years.

The contest received more than 100 entries, which later was narrowed down to 25 finalists. The winners in three categories -- landscapes, cross-cultural and portrait -- and a best in show were named Wednesday at a luncheon.

Flaker won first place in the portrait category, senior Amy Ward won first place in the landscape category, senior Jedediah McKee won first place in the cross-cultural moments category and senior Christie Pautler won best in show, with her portrait, "A Dominican Father."

The winners were awarded cash prizes and a framed copy of their photo. All 25 finalists will have their work on display in Ellis Library during June.

The contest was judged by Anne-Marie Foley, director of service learning in the Honors College, College of Education interim dean Rose Porter and photojournalism professor David Rees. They were chosen based upon the different experiences they could bring to the judging process.

The contest was not solely for aspiring photographers. Many entrants, like Ward, were simply taking photos in order to document their time abroad.

"I feel like photography is very artistic, and I don't consider myself artistic in any way," she said in an e-mail. "There were just so many good photos, so I was shocked when I won."

The three contest categories correspond with different areas of learning for study abroad students, such as architecture, nature, animals and unique cultural interactions. The contest began in order to provide MU students with a way to share parts of their education abroad with the rest of the community, Study Abroad Director Barbara Lindeman said.

"Study abroad is a high engagement activity, and, as such, can be life changing for participants," Lindeman said.

She sees students gaining a range of skills, such as increased independence, tolerance of diversity, language proficiency and cross-cultural communication skills. Much of this learning occurs outside the classroom.

"I have always said that in study abroad, only about 10 percent of what you learn is from the classroom," Pautler said. "The other 90 percent is learned by hands-on, practical experiences."

Almost 1,200 students studied abroad in the 2007-2008 school year. Lindeman hopes these students take their experience down whatever path they choose after graduation from MU.

"They will take these skills with them and, as a result, will be more prepared to assume their roles as global citizens," she said.

Flaker realizes the importance of her interaction with the gentleman on the train ride to Prague.

"I love how we came together through a shared second-language," she said in an e-mail. "I think that shows how interconnected the world really can be."