The annual Barlow Off-Campus Photography Exhibition does more than give students the chance to share cool photos from their far-off and far-out study-abroad locales.

Mounted in Perry Atrium during the annual Mount David Summit, “the exhibition is part of how we help returning students reconnect to the 乐播传媒 community,” says David Das, assistant director of off-campus study programs and curator of the annual exhibition.

David Das is assistant director of Off-Campus Study at 乐播传媒. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College)

By the time they graduate, about 60 percent of 乐播传媒 students have received credit for off-campus study.

Among students, study-abroad experiences instill greater awareness of critical global issues.

In turn, that awareness influences all that comes later, from senior thesis to success in winning post-乐播传媒 fellowships and grants.

In 2013, anthropology major Devin Tatro ’14 of Haverhill, Mass., studied abroad in Kampala, Uganda. The experience inspired her honors thesis on “tribal trademarking” by Uganda’s Sebei people 鈥� that is, how the Sebei have begun to market their culture to tourists and international aid organizations.

乐播传媒 is a 鈥渢op producer鈥� of postgraduate Fulbright U.S. Student grants, and Robert Strong, the college鈥檚 graduate fellowship adviser, points to off-campus study as a key indicator.

“Almost every fellowship out there these days is interested in the same qualities: They want leaders, they want people engaged in their communities, they want people who have a global and intercultural awareness.”

And now, on to the photographs!

Granada, Spain

“Fuente de las Batallas was bustling and lively on my way to school every morning, but completely empty during lunch and the siesta that follows. The mantra of Granadi帽os is ‘No pasa nada,’ which essentially translates to ‘Don鈥檛 sweat the small stuff.’ The no pasa nada lifestyle manifests itself in all parts of Granadan culture and is exemplified in this man taking a moment to relax in front of this fountain.” 鈥� Helen Chyz ’14 of Seattle, Wash., whose major is psychology with a concentration in Latin American studies

Kathmandu, Nepal

“A young boy lights butter lamps at Boudhanath stupa, a daily event during morning prayers as Buddhists perform Kora, literally ‘to circumambulate.’ Boudhanath has become the center of the Tibetan exile community in Nepal and the site of one of the most recent Tibetan self-immolations, in August 2013.” 鈥� Evan Cooper ’15 of Unionville, Conn., whose major is politics with a concentration in children, adolescents and school

Beijing, China

“As I cut onto a small sidewalk around the outskirts of the Forbidden City and turned a corner, I saw this man and was instantly put at ease. He was a breath of fresh air (metaphorically speaking, due to the smog). In the city of everlasting noise, smog and confusion, this man, calmly fishing in the moat of the Forbidden City, inadvertently opened a window onto life in Beijing before rapid modernization.” 鈥� Ned Donaldson ’15 of Lincoln, Mass., whose major is politics with a concentration in government and conflict

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

“Vietnam has a distinctive ‘moto’ culture; motorbikes have become so ingrained in everyday life that people eat, sleep and dream on their motorbikes. In Ho Chi Minh city, operators of motorbike taxis, or xe oms‘, like this man, spend their days hanging out on street corners, awaiting business from locals and tourists.” 鈥� Olivia Kronemeyer ’14 of Southampton, N.Y., whose major is psychology with concentrations in French in Nantes, and culture and meaning

Jerusalem, Israel

“The Kotel, or the Western Wall, is one of the holiest sites in Judaism. On holidays, it transforms into a place where everyone is family, and dancing and singing are required. This picture was taken at end of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The day is serious and solemn. After fasting for 24 hours, this group of Orthodox men celebrated the breakfast by dancing throughout the Kotel plaza and getting other men to join.” 鈥� Emma Kate Lindsay ’15 of Harrison, N.Y., whose major is history and religious studies, with a concentration in the latter

Capri, Italy

“To get to the聽Grotta Azzurra (the Blue Grotto), we were piled in a dinghy that was thrust through the small entrance of the cave by the flowing tide. We were told to lie down as flat as possible so we would not hit our heads on the cave walls. Once inside, the whole cave was illuminated with a dazzling bright blue from the reflection of sunlight passing through the seawater.” 鈥� Erin Milligan ’15 of Rumford, Maine, whose major is economics with a concentration in philosophy and psychology

Ankara, Turkey

“This photo was taken at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atat眉rk. ‘Atat眉rk’ means ‘Father of the Turks,’ a name given to Mustafa Kemal by the Turkish people, and he is celebrated today as the nation’s founder. After playing a key role in the War of Independence, Atat眉rk went on to be the nation’s first president and implemented many reforms to modernize. He has been immortalized as a symbolic pillar of the Turkish spirit.” 鈥� Julia Ofman ’15 of Brooklyn, N.Y., whose major is religious studies with concentrations in French and Francophone studies and in children, adolescents and school.

Khok Si, Thailand

It took a lot of convincing, in broken Thai and hand gestures, to get my host father to let me help plant rice. He thought that I wouldn鈥檛 like getting dirty or waking up early, but I told him that I wanted to do everything that the rest of the family did.” 鈥� Jackie Ordemann ’15 of Groton, Mass., whose major is biological chemistry with a concentration in the geosphere

Dubrovnik, Croatia

“A group of ‘Cats met up for a few days in the historic city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. On the last day, we stumbled upon a large cliff outside the city walls. Looking out onto the Adriatic Sea, we decided to end our trip on a high note, and this is Jonathan Strain leading the way.” 鈥� Conor Henrie ’15 of Lexington, Mass., whose major is economics and politics with a concentration in globalization

Helsinki, Finland

“Braving the Maine-like winter conditions, I walked to the harbor at the edge of the city. Impressively, the Finns take advantage of their historic proximity to the Baltic Sea as a means of trade and transportation during all seasons.” 鈥� Fiona Stuart ’14 of Havertown, Pa., whose major is psychology with a concentration in public health

La Isla del Sol, Bolivia

“One day for lunch, we all brought food to share with the rest of the students on my program and their families. From my family, we brought fish that my brother and I caught and prepared only an hour prior. We sat, exhausted from work (my tiny host brother, Wilmer, was about 100 times as effective as I was in the fields). We laughed and we ate. Reciprocity is an integral part of Bolivian culture, and I find myself missing this type of warmth every day.” 鈥� Shana Wallace ’15 of Pleasantville, N.Y., whose major is environmental studies with a concentration in the environment and human culture

Merzouga, Morocco

“The most peaceful place I have ever been is the sand dunes of Merzouga. Here, friends are relaxing in the zween (beautiful) desert after a sunset camel ride. The cheesiest and most touristy part of my abroad experience ended up resulting in an opportunity for reflection that I never could have anticipated.” 鈥� Hally Bert ’14 of Tacoma, Wash., whose major is politics with a concentration in Law and Society

Catherine Elliott 鈥�12 is a ceramicist who creates bowls that are both beautiful and usable. She forms her vessels on a kick wheel, one at a time.

A double major in studio art and politics, Elliott witnessed different approaches to ceramics work during the winter of 2011, when she lived and worked with an organization of potters in China. Case in point: The 鈥淒ragon Kiln,鈥� a giant installation that she photographed on a hill just outside of Jingdezhen, the porcelain capital of China.

The 鈥淒ragon Kiln鈥� is a giant installation that Catherine Elliott ’12 photographed on a hill just outside of Jingdezhen, the porcelain capital of China.

Elliott鈥檚 photograph above, as well as the two below, were included in the 2012 Barlow Off-Campus Study Photography Exhibition. This photo also depicts the kiln鈥檚 tenders, who, she explains, 鈥渟pend hours crouched at the side of the kiln, feeding the flames.鈥� (Perhaps the proximity to the heat has something to do with their choice of watermelon as refreshment.)

Winning Smile

The child nearest photographer Jenna Burke 鈥�13 in the photo is Emmanuel 鈥� 鈥渁 favorite of mine and a star on the soccer field,鈥� says Burke, who met Emmanuel and his playmates during her stay in Rhotia, Tanzania, with a fall 2011 School for Field Studies program that also took her to Kenya.

The child nearest photographer Jenna Burke 鈥�13 in the photo above is Emmanuel 鈥� 鈥渁 favorite of mine and a star on the soccer field,鈥� says Burke, who met Emmanuel and his playmates during her stay in Rhotia, Tanzania, with a fall 2011 School for Field Studies program that also took her to Kenya. The program incorporated community service that entailed frequent sessions volunteering in primary schools. The sessions weren鈥檛 all work, as the visitors often went
鈥渏ust to play with the kids,鈥� Burke says.

Keyless Entry

Visiting Paris during the winter 2011 semester under the auspices of the Center for University Programs Abroad, photographer Olivia DaDalt 鈥�12 was captivated by this scene (below).

Olivia DaDalt 鈥�12 photographed this scene at the Pont de l鈥橝rchev锚ch茅, one of at least three Parisian bridges where romantic couples like to attach so-called love locks.

The Pont de l鈥橝rchev锚ch茅 is one of at least three Parisian bridges where romantic couples like to attach so-called love locks, or love padlocks, to symbolize their undying love. Writing their names on the locks, the lovers fix them to the bridge fencing and toss the keys into the Seine. (Perhaps more jaded couples favor combination locks.) In the background of DaDalt鈥檚 image is Notre Dame Cathedral.

World Facts

The first 乐播传媒 student to pursue abroad study headed to Tokyo in 1956鈥�57.

An alumni career tip for success in the work world: 鈥淗ave a bias towards saying yes.鈥�

Sixty percent of 乐播传媒 students will study abroad during their college time.

Joining an honored tradition, Sen. Ed Muskie 鈥�36 once read George Washington鈥檚 inaugural speech on the Senate floor.

Major Destinations

Study-abroad countries attracting the most 乐播传媒 students in 2010鈥�11:

Italy 33
United Kingdom 31
Denmark 28
France 24
Spain 16
Australia 11
Chile 11
Argentina 10
South Africa 9
Greece 8

Source: Off-Campus Study Program 2011 Annual Report. The lists represent JSA and JYA students who studied abroad in 2010-11.

World Quote

鈥淚taly is perennially the top destination for [for off-campus study] for its appeal to art majors, quality programs, no requirement for prior language study, central Europe location and appeal to parents.鈥� 鈥� Steve Sawyer, director of Off-Campus Study

Tuned In to Spencer

Viewers in 17 countries watched the livestream of the announcement of Clayton Spencer as president-elect in December 2012. Photograph by Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College.

Viewers in 17 countries watched the webcast of the announcement of President-elect Clayton Spencer:

鈥� Burundi
鈥� Canada
鈥� Cyprus
鈥� Denmark
鈥� Finland
鈥� France
鈥� Georgia
鈥� Germany
鈥� India
鈥� Israel
鈥� Japan
鈥� Malaysia
鈥� Netherlands
鈥� Peru
鈥� Sweden
鈥� United Kingdom
鈥� United States

Tiarra Abell ’12, a double major in Spanish and anthropology, is spending her December break in Ecuador doing research.

As the end of the semester approaches, 乐播传媒 students are looking forward to a break from late nights in the library and a chance to spend the holidays with friends and family. But for senior Tiarra Abell of Louisville, Ky., winter break is a time to get some real work done.

At 4 a.m. Dec. 10, just hours after her last class of the semester, Abell began her journey back to Ecuador, where she spent her junior semester.

“A reality is coming true that I never imagined,” Abell said. “Although I didn鈥檛 want it to, I expected my time in Ecuador to end. But within just six months I’m able to go back!”

Along with 11 other seniors, Abell received a Barlow Thesis Research Grant. Established by David Barlow ’79, the grant’s goal is to enhance the study-abroad experience.

“I really like the Barlow thesis grant program, as it helps link the study abroad experience to the student’s academic program at 乐播传媒,” said Stephen Sawyer, director of off-campus study. “It allows students to return to their study-abroad country and interact with that setting in a more targeted way, building on their first experience.”

A double major in Spanish and anthropology, Abell is writing two senior theses, both investigating the lives of the Afro-Chote帽o community in Chota, a rural village with a population of 800. While living with a host family in Chota last spring, Abell was struck by the warmth and generosity of the Afro-Chote帽os despite the poverty in which they live.

“That was the first time in my life that I have experienced extreme poverty, in its real form,” said Abell. “The way they accepted me into their culture because I looked like them was very powerful to me. Just because I am black and I was doing well, they were very proud of me, as if I was one of their own.”

The timing for the return visit could not be better. After witnessing Easter in Chota, Abell was inspired to write her Spanish thesis on the role of faith in the lives of the devoutly Catholic Afro-Chote帽os. Abell hopes that spending Christmas in Chota will allow her to gather valuable interviews and photographs for her thesis.

After 乐播传媒, Abell plans to pursue a career in medicine. While in Chota, she volunteered at the local health clinic. She will return to the clinic to gather more field notes for her anthropology thesis on the economic and racial inequalities affecting medical treatment in Chota.

“This is a great opportunity,” she said. “Now I not only have volunteer experience in the medical field, but I have it in another culture.”

Most of her time will be spent in Chota, but Abell will visit Quito and Otavalo to gather books and articles that are not available in the United States on the Afro-Chote帽os. During this time she plans to meet Carla Guerron, the author of one of her primary sources, El Color de la Panela (“The Color of Brown Sugar”).

Abell will miss spending the holidays with her family in Louisville. “This is the first Christmas I have missed with my family, but being able to share and give back to people who don鈥檛 have nearly as much鈥攚ho can鈥檛 even conceptualize the amount of things I have鈥攂rings me back to the true meaning of Christmas that my parents and family instilled in me.”

While home for Thanksgiving, Abell added, “my best friend’s sister gave me a big bag full of toys to give to the kids in Chota knowing that they would go to good use.”

— Erica Long ’12

Ian Bleakney 鈥�91, a science teacher and department chair at Merritt College High School, a small public high school, in Oakland, Calif., was recently awarded the 2001 Barlow Alumni Travel Grant from 乐播传媒. The grant will fund Bleakney鈥檚 travels to India this summer where he will study teaching strategies and administrative methods in the city of Pune.Bleakney hopes to learn about Indian public science education and, on a broader level, how Indian administrators are able to run their schools effectively with relatively little money and few resources from their government.

Noting that Indian students consistently outscore his U.S. students in both science and math on standardized tests despite conditions of extreme poverty and scarce resources in most Indian communities, Bleakney hopes the Indian educational model will provide ideas for educators in this country, especially those who teach in low-income areas.

Bleakney became a teacher, he says, by committing himself to the national teacher corps known as Teach for America. He has been teaching some of this country鈥檚聽 least privileged children since 1994. Bleakney also studied teaching pedagogy in Mexico under the Fulbright Teacher Exchange program. He plans to return to his teaching in Oakland in the fall.

Recalling their own transformative study-abroad experiences, David ’79 and Ann Barlow of Wellesley, Mass., in 2000 made a $1.5 million gift to create the David S. and Ann M. Barlow Endowment for Study Abroad. In addition to the Barlow Alumni Travel Grant, other initiatives include the Barlow Fellows Program, for students and faculty advisers planning study abroad; internships and senior thesis research relating to travel abroad; faculty travel to sites frequently by 乐播传媒 students; and opportunities for students to share their experiences with the college community and with local teachers and schoolchildren.