Students affiliated with Stanford Global Studies’ 14 centers and programs shared photos that showcased the wonder of the natural world and the beauty of everyday life in countries around the globe.
Contest jurors selected the image “Khmer Woman at Home” as the grand prize winner of the 12th annual SGS Student Photo Contest. Taken during a field research trip in Prasat Bakong, Cambodia by anthropology major Victoria Chiek, the photo shows a Cambodian woman on her farm—a captivating scene of everyday life on the other side of the world. “My interviewee, a Khmer woman, stands in front of her plots of water grass, a common vegetable in Cambodia,” said Chiek. “Her beauty and calm, small smile is something I'll never forget.”
The annual competition, which celebrates the artistic talents of students across SGS, received more than 90 submissions this year from undergraduate and graduate students who traveled abroad for internships, field research, and language study.
This year, the contest featured six categories: the natural world, travel, beautiful mundane, then and now, it’s a mood, and optical illusions and abstracts. Photos were judged on criteria including impact and storytelling, creativity and originality, composition, and technique.
Winning photographs from the 2023 contest captured unique subjects in nine countries across three continents, including:
- Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, by East Asian studies M.A. student Junliang Xu (Center for East Asian Studies)
- Cows grazing on a mountain pasture in Switzerland, by electrical engineering major Graham Shunk (Global Studies Internship Program)
- A street mural in Malaysia, by history major Kyra Jasper (Center for Human Rights & International Justice)
- The ancient ruins of Palmyra, Syria, by East Asian studies M.A. student Yujing Zhang (Center for East Asian Studies)
- A train stop near Machu Picchu, Peru, by political science major Gabriella Garcia (Stanford Global Studies)
- A boat vendor in Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, by grand prize winner Victoria Chiek (Center for Human Rights & International Justice)
All of the winning images and honorable mentions can be viewed below.
Grand Prize
“Khmer Woman at Home”
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Victoria Chiek (Center for Human Rights & International Justice)
Taken in Prasat Bakong, Siem Reap province, Cambodia while conducting field research. My interviewee, a Khmer woman, stands in front of her plots of water grass, a common vegetable in Cambodia. Her beauty and calm, small smile is something I'll never forget.
The Natural World
“Cowbells”
Winner, The Natural World
Kandersteg, Switzerland
Graham Shunk (Global Studies Internship Program)
My Stanford Global Studies internship in Tallinn, Estonia allowed me flexibility to travel Europe while working. This photo was taken while I was backpacking in Switzerland in early August during my internship. While hiking, cowbells could be heard along 80% of the trail, and this picture captures the grandest animalian orchestration of all. While the bells cannot be heard, they are to be imagined.
It’s a Mood
“Silence”
Winner, It’s a Mood
Füssen, Germany
Junliang Xu (Center for East Asian Studies)
I captured a moment at Neuschwanstein Castle with a Polaroid camera, using regular photo paper, while standing on a nearby bridge. Despite the chilly weather, light rain, and fog, the beautiful castle stood out, surrounded by a lush forest. No one was in sight. The physical distance and the influence of temperature on the Polaroid film transformed the photo into a tangible manifestation of a cherished memory.
“Cows of the Camino”
Honorable Mention, It’s a Mood
Santiago, Spain
Jackie Foltz (The Europe Center)
The Camino de Santiago is a vast network of pilgrimages connecting Spain, Portugal, and France. Although our trek to Santiago in northern Spain was over 50 miles long, there were many friendly faces along the way to keep us motivated. This cow perfectly captured the joy we felt finishing the hike.
Optical Illusions & Abstracts
“Hurry!”
Winner, Optical Illusions
Penang, Malaysia
Kyra Jasper (Center for Human Rights & International Justice)
While traveling in Penang, Malaysia, during a visa run, my roommates and I were walking through the streets when we stumbled across an interesting scene. The boys were in such a hurry, before I realized why they were experiencing so much difficulty in getting to their destination. Between fiction and reality, this photo captures the character and charm of the city.
Then & Now
“Palmyra Then & Now”
Winner, Then & Now
Tadmur, Homs Governorate, Syria
Yujing Zhang (Center for East Asian Studies)
Palmyra is an ancient city that dates back to the 3rd millennium BC, and a UNESCO world heritage site. It was once one of the most prosperous and famous cities in the region. I took this picture of the Temple of Bel during my visit to Syria in Summer 2022. The ticket portrays the historical monument that had survived more than two thousand years, and the reality shows the current ruins after the severe destruction of ISIS during the Syrian Civil War.
Travel
“Aguascalientes”
Winner, Travel
Aguascalientes, Peru
Gabriella Garcia (Stanford Global Studies)
This photo was taken in Aguascalientes, Peru. To go to Machu Picchu, you must stop here to transfer from your train to a bus that takes you to the top. Here you grab a quick snack. My choice was Aji de Gallina.
“The Polar Ore Train”
Honorable Mention, Travel
Kiruna, Sweden
Leo Glikbarg (Program in International Relations)
After studying abroad in Spain, I traveled to a small Arctic town called Kiruna in the far north of Sweden. I wanted to explore the arctic wilderness and see the northern lights for the first time. While crossing a bridge, a train hauling iron ore from a local mine passed below. A few weeks after I left, the largest supply of rare earth metals in Europe was discovered in Kiruna. There will be many more trains there soon and I worry about how this spectacular winter landscape will change.
“Window to the Alhambra”
Honorable Mention, Travel
Granada, Spain
Jackie Foltz (The Europe Center)
This picture was taken through a window of the guard tower along the outskirts of the Alhambra gardens. It shows the main palace from a new perspective.
Beautiful Mundane
“Market Along the Tonle Sap”
Winner, Beautiful Mundane
Kampong Phluk, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Victoria Chiek (Center for Human Rights & International Justice)
Taken in Kampong Phluk, Siem Reap province, Cambodia while conducting field research. A Khmer woman sells fruit, snacks, beverages, and school supplies along the Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake and a necessity to the Cambodian people. It is common for visitors to Kampong Phluk, a village almost entirely residing on water, to buy school supplies and distribute them to students in the village. I snapped this photo because I thought that the woman's goods and selling grounds were unique and beautiful; it was surprisingly gorgeous to a visitor like me, but this is simply life as regular in Kampong Phluk.