Students interested in viewing photos from honors students who studied abroad with an ISU sponsored program prior to December have the opportunity to view 27 photos in an exhibit.

The exhibit is also a contest, which is currently being held through Friday on the main floor of Milner library.

“We encourage study abroad. We have a lot of students that study abroad and have a great experience,” Sarah Roth, coordinator of student programs for the Honors Program at ISU, said.

“I have yet to hear of anybody that does not enjoy their time abroad and so we wanted to give students an opportunity to showcase their photos. It’s a way to reach out to other students as well, and hopefully encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad,” she added.

There is a ceremony at 7 p.m. today on the main floor of Milner, which will include hors d’oeuvres and an opportunity to mingle, she said.

There will be three professional photographers who are judging the photos and who will announce the winners. The three judges include: Dr. Tak Cheung, professor Emeritus and experienced photographer; Lori Ann Cook-Neisler, Pantagraph photographer; and Lyndsie Schlink, Illinois State University photographer, Roth explained.

The judges will base the photos on three categories: people, landscapes, and nature and architecture. Winners will include one overall best of show, three first-prize winners, one per category, and one honorable mention from each category, as well, she added.

Amanda Carlson/Photographer: Students who have studied abroad have a chance to show their photos and win prizes. The exhibit is in Milner Library for the study abroad photo contest.

 Winners receive a cash prize of anywhere from $50 to $150.

Of the 27 photos, the honors students who chose to submit their photos had the choice of submitting one or two, as long as the two were from different categories, Roth added.

Every photo has a description and a title.

“Honors Program staff and students worked collaboratively with the Library’s Exhibit Committee to plan, frame and install the exhibit,” Kathleen Lonbom, art, theatre and dance librarian at Milner Library, said.

“We alternate every year between this photo contest in conjunction with Milner Library and the Office of International Studies. They’re our co-sponsors for this and we alternate between this and an essay contest,” Roth explained.

“And last spring we did an essay contest and we partnered with International Studies and The Vidette, so the winning essays were in The Vidette last spring,” she added.

The exhibit will not be around much longer, but students are highly encouraged to come check it out and get an idea of what the study abroad experience is like.

“Milner Library is a busy and active place — especially at this time of year,” Lonbom said. “Students and others coming in to use the library have really enjoyed seeing the photographs in the Study Abroad Exhibit.”