Don’t Stop Believing
- Photographer
- Jeff Otto
- Taken
- Macau, China
- Description
- The lead singer of the 80’s band "Journey,"Arnel Pineda. Five of us visited the Venetian Casino in Macau, China on our last night in Asia where we obtained VIP tickets at half-price to stand front-row and rock-out to the power ballads of Journey. There were only a handful of English-speaking westerners in the entire sold out arena , so prior to the concert we had two group television interviews with Australian and Hong Kong entertainment news shows
- Global Connections course
- China
Ubuntu, baby
- Photographer
- Melissa Sprinkle
- Taken
- Medikwe African Reserve
- Description
- Taken during a safari at dusk. The lone giraffe was at peace in his environment.
- Global Connections course
- South Africa
March of the Penguins
- Photographer
- Melissa Sprinkle
- Taken
- Capetown, South Africa
- Description
- Taken right before we swam with the penguins in their natural habitat. The penguins were a bit smelly, but adorable.
- Global Connections course
- South Africa
Goooaaaaaaaaal!!!!!!
- Photographer
- Vikas Pokala
- Taken
- Fluminense football game at Maracana Stadium
- Description
- This was my first live football(soccer) game and the home team, Fluminense, who was favored to win was losing 1-0 at half time. The picture was taken when Fluminense scored a goal to tie up the game. Fluminense went on to win the game 3-1.
- Global Connections course
- South America
An Unexpected Lunch Date
- Photographer
- Brittany Braden
- Taken
- Black Marlin Restaurant, Cape Town, South Africa
- Description
- We were sitting in a quaint restaurant on the beach in the Simonstown region of Cape Town. There were dozens of baboons on the roof, porch, and grounds of the restaurant which naturally provided entertainment to the unsuspecting Westerners (us)! All of a sudden, one of the baboons opened the window, jumped on a table, and proceeded to raid the bread basket.
- Global Connections course
- South Africa
Sugarloaf Sunset
- Photographer
- Andrew Lau
- Taken
- On Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Description
- This was taken at dusk on Sugarloaf Mountain overlooking Rio. You can see Cococabana beach lit up at night and Christ the Redeemer statue to the right.
- Global Connections course
- South America
Pink Bug
- Photographer
- Andrew Lau
- Taken
- Driving up to the Favelas in Rio de Janeiro
- Description
- This was taken on our drive up to the Favelas (slums of Rio). The graffiti in Rio is amazing - you have these bright murals set against a grey, concrete jungle. Its such a contrast for a bright pink bug to be parked next to a bright blue mural, surrounded by a wall of grey concrete. This is representative of this area of Rio, because there is such a vibrant/upbeat spirit in the midst of what seems to be utter poverty.
- Global Connections course
- South America
Another serene day on the lake
- Photographer
- Joe Jordan
- Taken
- On the lake in Hangzhou, China
- Description
- This was taken on a walk back from a lake tour. It shows some boat cruises in process. The lake is a popular spot for Chinese families taking a day off. Hangzhou is a smaller city for China of around 7MM people.
- Global Connections course
- China
Quiet Intensity
- Photographer
- Joe Jordan
- Taken
- At the public zoo in Chongquing, Sichuan province
- Description
- Chongquing is the Chicago of China – it’s inland and weighs in at around 35MM in its metro area. On our trip, it was common to see older people in parks and other public places doing tai chi, exercising, or playing cards. In a couple of cases we got to see older people dancing and singing their retirement days away in public parks.
- Global Connections course
- China
Nasceu pra Vencer/ Born to Conquer–The Brazilian Soccer Spirit
- Photographer
- Diego De La Sotta
- Taken
- Maracaná Stadium – Fluminense vs Macaé
- Description
- Fluminense was the home team, playing in one of the most legendary soccer stadiums in the world. The home team was losing by 1 at the end of the first half, the crowd went crazy and started to sing and chant. The whole stadium was on fire, the phrase on the girl’s t-shirt (who never stopped cheering) summarizes everything, “Brazilians are bred to reign in soccer”. At the end Fluminense, the home team made a huge comeback winning 3-1.
- Global Connections course
- South America
Serenity
- Photographer
- Julie Harner
- Taken
- Halong Bay, Vietnam
- Description
- We were cruising Halong Bay, Vietnam, and this picture was taken right before the clouds passed. We enjoyed the breathtaking scenery while eating local cuisine on our private boat.
- Global Connections course
- Southeast Asia
Into the Jungle
- Photographer
- Julie Harner
- Taken
- Mekong Delta, Vietnam
- Description
- We experienced true local transportation this day while we travelled on a tributary in the Mekong Delta region. It was a step back in time; not much has changed, except for the pollution in the water!
- Global Connections course
- Southeast Asia
Peace and Copper Mine
- Photographer
- Eunseok Han
- Taken
- Sewell Town in Chile
- Description
- A town where copper miners used to live. The colorful buildings that spread up the hill compared to the brown landscape. Statue of miners from old times.
- Global Connections course
- South America
Boat-side Banana Market - Capitalism Thrives in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam!
- Photographer
- Jeff Glass
- Taken
- Taken on a boat in Halong Bay, outside of Hanoi, Vietnam
- Description
- While taking a boat cruise through Halong Bay outside of Hanoi, a few boats pulled alongside ours to sell us fresh bananas. The Doi Moi revolution that allowed a free market economy to develop in a Socialist-controlled country has been enthusiastically embraced by the Vietnamese.
- Global Connections course
- Southeast Asia
Breakfast
- Photographer
- Andrea Shortell
- Taken
- Londolozi Game Reserve, Kruger National Park South Africa
- Global Connections course
- South Africa
A Tranquil Ride
- Photographer
- Lisa Frankel
- Taken
- Hongzhou, China
- Description
- We took a 1.5 hour long train ride from Shanghai to Hongzhou, where we walked along the lakeside before boarding a small boat and taking a scenic ride. This is the view from a bridge overlooking the lake.
- Global Connections course
- China
Think 'n Drink, expectant of sunset
- Photographer
- Kohei Moriyama
- Taken
- At the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa
- Description
- When I finished 1.5-hour hike at Table Mountain, fantastic views of beaches, towns and mountains were waiting for me. Surrounding great nature, we drank and talked in the bar at the top of Table Mountain, until sunset.
- Global Connections course
- South Africa
I'm Hochman, not Hoffman, Dean Hirst.", he said to me with a big smile
- Photographer
- Kohei Moriyama
- Taken
- On the way back from Robben Island, Cape Town, South Africa
- Description
- Just before I took this photo, we were in Robben Island, famous for that former South African President and Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela spent decades imprisoned there. On the way back from the island, we rode on the top of a speed boat. When I called Jared, he gave me a big smile, in a relaxed manner.
- Global Connections course
- South Africa
Rice Farming in Rural Vietnam
- Photographer
- Andrew Schmid
- Description
- : This picture was taken in rural northern Vietnam, on the way to Halong Bay. This lady was flooding her rice field after planting. Though Vietnam has developed significantly with regard to standard of living and quality of life, many activities are still performed the same they have been for hundreds of years.
- Global Connections course
- Southeast Asia
The Grand Mosque has finally bloomed!
- Photographer
- Kevin Chiang
- Taken
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Description
- The Grand Mosque was described as the 3rd largest mosque in the world, but that meant little to me since I have never been to a mosque before. After seeing the grandness and intricate details of the mosque, it is apparent that the people in the Middle East take the Muslim religion very seriously and dedicate a lot of their time, effort and money into what they believe in. It was an eye-opening experience that words cannot come close to describing.
- Global Connections course
- Middle East
Patriotic Tour Guide Nam
- Photographer
- Andrew Schmid
- Description
- This picture was taken of our tour guide, Nam, in Hanoi, Vietnam. Nam was a perfect example of how many of the Vietnamese people are forgiving, accommodating, and warm-hearted toward Americans considering the relatively recent conflict between our two countries; while at the same Nam is proudly patriotic and displays his love for his country.
- Global Connections course
- Southeast Asia
Soccer is another religion in Rio
- Photographer
- Eun Seok Han
- Taken
- The biggest soccer stadium in Brazil
- Description
- 4 year old boy is already into soccer game and now he check the big screen who are playing today.
- Global Connections course
- South America
The Ancient Art of Thai Massage!
- Photographer
- Jeff Glass
- Taken
- Bangkok Temple
- Description
- The statues near the Temple of the Reclining Buddha seemed to mimic our actual Thai Massage experiences – especially the expression on the guys face. Hurt so good!
- Global Connections course
- Southeast Asia
Two Longhorns and a Babushka
- Photographer
- Kathleen Voboril
- Taken
- Moscow. Outside the Cathedral of the Archangel--one of the cathedrals inside the Kremlin where Russian tsars and princes are buried
- Description
- Kelly Scoggins and I were touring the Kremlin and had a very entertaining and informed tour guide. Our favorite quote from her was: “of course we put gold on the cathedrals. God is very choosy you know, we had to make sure he noticed us.” She also showed us “the largest cannon in the world, which has never fired, and the largest bell in the world, which has never rung.” After enjoying ourselves so thoroughly with this guide, who looked like a classic Russian "babushka" (old lady), we decided we must get a photo with her.
- Global Connections course
- Russia
Glitz at the Burj
- Photographer
- Tiju Tom
- Taken
- Burj-Al-Arab, Dubai
- Description
- Hotel tour and champagne reception
- Global Connections course
- Middle East
Winged Dancer
- Photographer
- Tiju Tom
- Taken
- Galata tower, Istanbul
- Description
- Entertainment by belly dancer at Galata tower dinner
- Global Connections course
- Middle East
Sunset in Dubai Desert
- Photographer
- Jin Koo Kim
- Taken
- Desert near to Dubai, UAE
- Description
- We had a sightseeing tour at desert near to Dubai, UAE. After an hour's SUV ride in desert, we stopped and watched sunset. It was the most beautiful sunset in my whole life.
- Global Connections course
- Middle East
Burj Al Arab Hotel at night
- Photographer
- Jin Koo Kim
- Taken
- Dubai, UAE
- Description
- We visited the most luxurious hotel in Dubai. At night, I could see various colors of lighting on the hotel building.
- Global Connections course
- Middle East
It doesn’t snow in Texas so we brought Texas to the snow
- Photographer
- Alex Woo
- Taken
- Pavlovsk Palace & Park, St. Petersburg
- Description
- Russia was great. It was a very eye-opening experience with a mix of old Communism sentiment and new inquisitiveness.
- Global Connections course
- Russia
Flex
- Photographer
- Andrew Lau
- Taken
- Ipanema Beach, Rio
- Description
- Travis, Chris and I just spent an hour working out on the outdoor gym (which are everywhere in Rio) and we decided to add to the beauty of the sunset...
- Global Connections course
- South America
Serenity Along Halong Bay
- Photographer
- Nishant Murarka
- Taken
- Halong Bay, Vietnam (outside of Hanoi)
- Description
- The private boat cruise along Halong Bay was just amazing. For about two hours, we sat back and relaxed, ate a fantastic multi-course lunch, and enjoyed the peaceful serenity that this UNESCO World Heritage has to offier.
- Global Connections course
- Southeast Asia
Six Aces And A Joker
- Photographer
- Nishant Murarka
- Taken
- Hotel Casino Lobby in Macau
- Description
- We did a day trip out to Macau to tour the island and partake in some gambling. Macau is a serious version of Las Vegas. I was still impressed to see the amount of construction going on there despite the global economic slowdown.
- Global Connections course
- Southeast Asia
Building in Moscow
- Photographer
- Alex Woo
- Taken
- Moscow
- Description
- Russia was great. It was a very eye-opening experience with a mix of old Communism sentiment and new inquisitiveness.
- Global Connections course
- Russia
Funny, hairy dudes
- Photographer
- Justin Pajer
- Taken
- At the top of Table Mountain near sunset
- Description
- The evening spent on Table Mountain was one of the best of the trip. The hike was strenuous, so we all relaxed heavily afterwards over plenty of beer and wine.
- Global Connections course
- South Africa
Hoping to keep all five fingers
- Photographer
- Justin Pajer
- Taken
- On the Cape
- Description
- This was taken during out day trip tour of the Cape peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope. This was the friendliest seal I ever met. And I’ve met plenty.
- Global Connections course
- South Africa
Vanya, the ham of a bartender, who loves Radiohead
- Photographer
- S. Carrie Dickerson
- Taken
- Club Music Town in Moscow
- Description
- The bartender was having trouble with everyone ordering drinks at the same time, so I offered to translate for him, and he was very expressively grateful. I was pleased to be able to use my Russian, and we hit it off because he was playing Radiohead videos, and we both agreed that "Radio-khed, this is life!" (eta zhizn!). He gave me 20 percent off my drinks, too! And then posed for an even goofier picture with me that my friend took (not included).
- Global Connections course
- Russia
Christ the Redeemer
- Photographer
- Jaclyn Popeil
- Taken
- Rio, Brazil
- Description
- This statues overlooks all of Rio. It was an amazing experience to see him wherever you were in Rio!
- Global Connections course
- South America
Troika Ride
- Photographer
- S. Carrie Dickerson
- Taken
- Pavlovsk (I think)
- Description
- Several of us got 3 minute troika rides (to the memorial and back. The memorial was a nondescript piece of stone, subject unknown). Some of us got a three-horse carriage for the same price, and everyone was jealous!
- Global Connections course
- Russia
2009 Winners
- BEST in SHOW - $200
- Jin Koo Kim
Sunset in Dubai Desert - 1st Place People’s Choice - $100
- Melissa Sprinkle
Ubuntu Baby - 1st Place Judges’ Choice - $100
Julie Harner
Into the Jungle- Runner Up People’s Choice - $50
- Kevin Chiang
The Grand Mosque Has Finally Bloomed - Runner Up Judges’ Choice - $50
- Andrew Lau
Sugarloaf Sunset