Stony Brook University brought the world to campus with its International Education Week Photo Exhibition.
The showcase, held November 20 and 21 in the Stony Brook Union, featured over 360 photographs submitted by study abroad alumni, incoming exchange students, and international students, offering a window into their global experiences.
“This exhibition is about more than just pictures,” said Mariam Isack, assistant dean for International Academic Programs (IAP). “It’s about sharing stories, celebrating cultural exchange, and engaging our entire campus community in the beauty of global learning. We wanted it to be visible and inclusive, open to everyone.”
The event celebrated diversity, with eight categories of photographs. Winners in each category received $50 in Wolfie Wallet dollars, while voting students were entered into a drawing for a $500 credit toward study abroad fees.
Maya Ogando, a senior double majoring in economics and political science and a study abroad alumnus, not only submitted her own photos from her semester in Spain during her junior year, but also played a key role in organizing the exhibition as a student assistant in the IAP office.
“Studying abroad changed my career goals,” she shared. “I want a career that lets me travel and work internationally. Living and studying in Spain taught me independence and opened doors to experiences I never imagined — like skiing in the Alps and riding a camel in Morocco.”
The idea for the exhibition was inspired by similar events at other SUNY campuses, but Stony Brook aimed to make it more expansive and accessible. “We initially hoped for at least 50 photos,” said Isack, “but we received 361! The enthusiasm from our students and the broader campus community has been incredible.”
Winning photos will be showcased in the library and on campus televisions.
“If you’re thinking about studying abroad, do it,” encouraged Ogando. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the world while earning credits and paying Stony Brook tuition. You’ll grow in ways you never imagined.”
Congratulations to the following winners:
- Academic Discovery — Paxton Easton, Jamaica
- Architecture — Janna Saad, Egypt
- Cuisine — Shichen Li, International Student from China
- Dare to Be — Nicholas Clement, Chile
- Exchanging Traditions — Jada Seto, South Korea
- Here, There, Everywhere — Hoang Nguyen, International Student from Vietnam
- Nature — Tied; Isabella Maruca, Tanzania and Xuanjun Li, International Student from China
- Seawolves in the Wild — Leah Schwarz, Madagascar
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