The ISM office wants to highlight the work of our students around Madison and the world.
2025-2026
1st Place: “Don’t Rush” by Christopher Mitchell
An elderly woman tends her restaurant while smoking. This photo was taken deep within Doi Inthanon National Park in Northern Thailand. As this remote mountain hideaway was pounded by rain, I remained dry with the proprietor while she smoked and tended her stand. The structure served traditional Northern Thai cuisine, but the greater part of their business came from the men of the town stopping in for some mountain moonshine (pictured).
2025-2026 Honorable Mentions
“Soldiers After the Storm” by Erin Kingsley Ross
Italian soldiers patrolling the streets of Venice in between bursts of unusually heavy rain. Shop and restaurant owners begin opening shudders, unable to recoil from the antagonistic weather, due to the pitiless demands of tourists in July. Benevolently, the sun peeks through the clouds.
“Shared Footsteps” by Talia Sheehan
Over 2,300 years old, the Via Appia Antica has carried generations of footsteps. Walking this road, you are connected to all those who came before. While no one else is present in the frame, you aren’t alone.
“Colosseum in Spring” by Liz Reynolds
This past summer, I traveled to Italy, visiting many towns and cities within the country. On this trip, I got to explore Rome, including the famous Colosseum, which is breathtakingly beautiful in person.
“Stillness in Liffey” by Liz Reynolds
This is a photo of Customs House in Dublin, home to many government offices of the country. It is located on the River Liffey, which winds throughout the city.
“Snorkeling at Silfra” by Liz Reynolds
This past summer, I visited Iceland with my family. The highlight of the trip was being able to snorkel in below-freezing water between the European and American tectonic plates. This is a photo of myself and my sister in wetsuits, moments before we got into the water.
“An Afternoon Stroll in Malta” by Cassidy Fish
This photo captured a quiet side street in the busy city of Valletta. The colorful balconies and historic architecture capture the true beauty of Malta.
“A Sunset in Parc de la Ciutadella” by Cassidy Fish
The sunset on this marvel designed by Antoni Gaudí emulates the carefree beauty of Barcelona.
“La Diada de Saint Jordi” by Cassidy Fish
Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Batlló is decorated with beautiful red roses and the Catalan flag to celebrate a day of love and appreciation.
“L’esprit français” by Christopher Mitchell
This photo was taken during the Blouqons Tout protests on September 10th 2025. Protesters filled Place de la République, charging the air with passion. These demonstrations mixed anger with positive intensity. The tension in France was palpable throughout the fall as their government collapsed and unrest grew. The photo captured a part of the largest demonstration of the year, but it also captured the French spirit. The people of France never cease to come together to make their voices heard and influence the nation.
December 2024
1st Place: “Hearts and Hanboks” by Kari Hjelmeset
During my exchange semester at Korea University my friend and I visited Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul. We rented hanbok to get free admission into the palace and took the opportunity to take nice photos like this one! This is a fond memory I have from exchange, and I miss it dearly.
1st Place: “Canyoneering in Costa Rica” by Claudia Schwiesow
This day was magical. Our wakeup call was a ripe 4:00AM, and we met at Máximo Nivel, our school, with yawns, puffy eyes, and hugs. The UW-Madison crew alongside 3 non-UW students rallied to get out of our comfort zones and into the deep Costa Rican jungle facing fears of heights and the unknown. We climbed down three 25-foot waterfalls, waded through pristine marine-blue waters (no filter on the photo, I swear!), and belly-laughed together as we glided down the natural waterslides. It was one of those days that stopped us in our tracks; reminding us of the luck we had to be in a remote, picturesque jungle, forging life-long connections. The guides’ knowledge, charisma, and Pura Vida attitudes were the foundation for this completely novel experience. On the drive back to San José, we each expressed sentiments of gratitude and held a 2 hour-long makeshift dance party. Our driver enthusiastically participated in both. 18 hours after the roosters’ first calls, we returned to our host families, content and proud to be a Badger.
2nd Place: “Truck in Quito” by Claudia Schwiesow
Behind the contemporary mode of transportation stands a relic; the Basílica Del Voto Nacional. This photo is full of juxtaposing images: sharp lines near arched ones, vivid paint colors amidst a grey sky, and young, non-religious people in front of a bold Roman Catholic church. It is also interesting to notice the woman to the right is wearing a mask which points to the fact this photo was taken in June of 2022, and the world was still getting used to international travel.
Runner Up: Muhamad Rafiq
My summer view while lying on the beach at the Praia Da Batata, Lagos, Portugal. I spent a good 2 hours lying and do nothing to enjoy the breeze during the sunset.
December 2019
Innsbruck, Austria. Feb. 2019
“I’m standing on the top of a mountain overlooking the city of Innsbruck, Austria during a weekend off during my year abroad in Italy.”
Laura Kelley, senior, Culture in the Age of Globalization
November 2019
Assling, Austria. Feb. 2019
“Taking in the fresh mountain air while visiting family friends in the Austrian Tyrol”
Larissa Stenglein, senior, Politics and Policy in the Global Economy
October 2019
Calanques National Park, Bouches-de-Rhône, France. Oct. 2019
“The famous view of the Calanques in Marseille, France”
Ariana King, senior, Global Security
September 2019
Zhangjiajie, China
“I was visiting the National Park in China where the movie Avatar was filmed during my internship abroad!”
Brenna Farrell, post graduate, Politics and Policy in the Global Economy
August 2019
Perrito Moreno glacier, Patagonia, Argentina. May 2019
“One of the few glaciers in the world that is not “currently receding” according to my tour guide. Earlier as a part of the trek, I got to hike on the glacier. This is the view in all its glory”
Bremen Keasey, Senior, Culture in the Age of Globalization