International Office Photo Contest
Terms of participation 2025
The International Office's photo competition offers a great opportunity to share experiences and impressions from your stay abroad or home country with others and win great prizes!
The competition is aimed at enrolled students of TH OWL who have completed or are completing a study-related stay abroad in the winter semester 2024/25 or summer semester 2025 as well as international students of TH OWL.
If you would like to take part in the photo competition, please complete the application form and the declaration of consent by 8 June 2025 and send the documents together with a photo you have taken yourself to internationaloffice@th-owl.de
The motto of our 2025 photo competition is ‘Culture, customs and traditions’. Choose a motif that depicts the new culture, customs and traditions you have learnt about and experienced in your host country, e.g. holidays and festivals, ceremonies, culinary traditions, family customs, traditional clothing, music, dance, etc. International students can choose special cultural moments from their home country as a motif.
The ten best photos will be pre-selected by a jury from the International Office. An online vote will then take place on the TH OWL Instagram account as part of our Summer Celebration on the Lemgo campus on 12 June to determine and award the best photo: 1st place: €150; 2nd place: €100, 3rd place: €50, 4th-10th place: TH OWL surprise package.
All entries will be used for the university's public relations work (see declaration of consent in the application form).
We look forward to seeing your photos!
2026: Forever Memories—Memories That Last
The International Office selected the top 10 photos from 41 entries, and you voted for your favorites on the TH OWL Instagram account. Here are the winners of the 2026 photo contest! Below the photos, you’ll find the stories behind the submitted images.
Background Information on the Photos
Forever Friendships – Saying Goodbye with a Smile (Norway)
This photo was taken in December 2025 at our farewell and Christmas party for the Master’s program in Media Production in Volda. I had an incredibly special time during this semester abroad, and the people in the picture have really grown close to my heart. Since many of us were leaving the very next day, it was a very emotional moment that we’ve captured here. I deliberately chose this fun photo instead of one where we’re just smiling nicely… here, the joy and our genuine bond come across much more intensely!
Adele Koopmann, study abroad semester at Volda University College
Dance of the Gods (India)
This photo captures one of the most memorable moments of my semester abroad. In southern India, I had the opportunity to film a documentary about the “Theyyam” ritual. That’s when I was able to capture this moment. The image conveys the intense energy, the sweat, the fire, and the special atmosphere of the ritual throughout the entire shoot. This ritual is one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen in my life. The connection with the “gods” and the people around the temple was absolutely unique. This experience created countless stories that will remain in my memory forever.
Fabian Benning, studying abroad at the National Institute of Design (NID)
30 grados en noviembre (Uruguay)
This moment shows me celebrating my 23rd birthday with new friends. At first, I was unsure about not spending this day with my family. But it turned out to be one of the most beautiful days of my time abroad. We brought flowers to a picnic, which we arranged into bouquets together and shared at the end. Just as we took memories and a piece of each other with us. Taken with a disposable camera, the photo captures the immediacy of that moment—a moment of closeness and warmth far from home.
Clara Kudoll, studying abroad at Universidade ORT
An Everyday Moment That Stuck With Me (Malaysia)
I chose this photo because, to me, it perfectly captures what made my semester abroad in Malaysia so special. It doesn’t show a grand or spectacular moment, but rather an entirely ordinary scene. And that is precisely where its significance lies for me. During my time abroad, it wasn’t just the travels or new places that shaped me, but above all the little moments in between. (…) For me, the focus is especially on the woman with the small child. The two are holding hands and seem naturally connected to one another. It’s a very simple moment, but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Closeness, trust, and care are things that are the same all over the world. Even when culture, language, or daily life differ, situations like this are instantly understood. (…) When I look at the photo today, it reminds me of how much my perspective has changed. I’ve learned to look more closely and to recognize something special even in small moments. My semester abroad wasn’t just a trip to another country—it was an experience that broadened my perspective.
Marleen Gmehling, semester abroad at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)
“Thinking About You” (France)
“Thinking About You” stands not only for the memories that linger, but also for the friendships that last. The photo shows me and a close friend I met during my semester abroad. Together, we shared many special moments. Even after the semester abroad, our friendship has endured. The picture reminds me that some people come into our lives only for a short time, but still leave a lasting place in our hearts. Because people make the place.
Lisa Hüpel, semester abroad at TALM, École Supérieure de l’Art et de Design
Holi in full swing! (India)
I chose this photo because, for me, it’s less a picture than a memory of a state of being. In Mathura, the birthplace of Holi, you encounter a tradition in which women playfully hit men with a stick—an ancient gesture that straddles ritual and modernity. In that moment, I was right in the thick of it, surrounded by voices, colors, and movement, as if the world were briefly dissolving and reassembling itself. Through this experience, I realized just how vibrant and important traditions are—and how they can still be lived out and passed on today. Chaos is everywhere in India—but the hustle and bustle of Holi certainly captivated me!
Meike Freitag, studying abroad at the National Institute of Design (NID)
A Natural Shower on Galten (Norway)
Everyone wishes for a good shower from Mother Nature every now and then. On the hike to the Galten cliff, at an altitude of about 570 meters in the Sunnmøre region of Norway, the weather surprised us with a sudden downpour. Despite our rain jackets, we got thoroughly soaked from head to toe. I’ll never forget that moment! My wet feet couldn’t spoil the breathtaking view or the fun I had with my friends.
Clara Sonnenschein, studying abroad at Volda University College
An adventurous ride through Ban Mung District (Thailand)
My photo perfectly captures the vibe of our field trip from Naresuan University to Ban Mung District. It was a well-chosen day trip on a day off from university to a very special destination. We drove through rice fields and past impressive rock formations, eventually arriving at a restaurant that gave us the chance to witness a spectacular natural event: every day, as the sun set, thousands of bats flew out of their cave in the mountains behind the vehicle. It left me speechless, and I’ll never forget that evening!
Jan Tackenberg, Naresuan University Cultural Exchange Program
Where Memories Meet Time (Turkey)
Set against the dramatic cliffs of Sumela Monastery, this moment felt like stepping into a place where time stands still. Built into the mountains and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, Sumela is not just a historical site—it is a symbol of endurance, culture, and harmony between human creation and nature. The towering rocks, the quiet atmosphere, and the sense of history in every detail made this place truly unforgettable. It is the kind of place that invites you to pause, reflect, and simply take it all in. In the midst of this extraordinary setting, we shared a moment of genuine laughter. It wasn’t carefully planned or perfectly staged, but that’s exactly what made it special. Sometimes, the most powerful memories are created in the simplest moments—when you’re fully present, surrounded by beauty, and sharing it with someone who makes that experience even more meaningful. That brief moment, filled with joy and connection, became something much bigger than we expected. (…) Some journeys eventually come to an end, but the memories we create along the way stay with us forever. This was one of those moments—a simple, joyful second in an extraordinary place—transformed into a memory that will always remain a part of us.
Nafeesa Javaid, International Internship at Karadeniz Technical University
Under the Northern Lights (Sweden)
I chose this photo because it captures a moment that felt almost unreal: seeing the Northern Lights for the first time. We were standing in the middle of the snow—it was quiet and cold—and suddenly the sky turned green above us. For me, that moment was one of the most beautiful experiences of my time abroad because it was so special and unexpected. The photo reminds me of how many unique moments I experienced during that time. That’s why I think it fits the theme perfectly—it captures a memory I’ll never forget.
Nicolas Groschup, studying abroad for a semester at Halmstad University
Terms and Conditions for Participation 2026
The International Office’s photo contest offers a great opportunity to share your experiences and impressions from your time abroad with others and win fantastic prizes!
The competition is open to enrolled students at TH OWL who have completed or are currently completing a study-related stay abroad during the 2025/26 winter semester or the 2026 summer semester, as well as to international students at TH OWL.
If you’d like to participate in the photo contest, please fill out the application form and the consent form by May 15, 2026, and send the documents along with a photo you took yourself to anne.kulasi@th-owl.de
The theme of our 2026 photo contest is “Forever memories – Memories that last.” Choose a subject that captures a special moment from your semester abroad—one that will stay with you for a long time to come.
The ten best photos will be preselected by a jury from the International Office. An online vote will then take place on the TH OWL Instagram account to determine the best photo and award prizes: 1st place: €150; 2nd place: €100; 3rd place: €50; 4th–10th place: TH OWL surprise package. The top 10 photos will be exhibited at the TH OWL International Days on June 9 and 10, 2026.
All submissions will be used for the University’s public relations activities (see consent form).
We look forward to seeing your photos!
2025: Culture, Customs, and Traditions
How the Photos Were Taken
To me, this picture perfectly captures the essence of "Britishness." A convertible with a laid-back Brit and a dog in the front seat—one that, at first glance, looks as if it’s driving the car itself. From a German perspective, this seems funny and absurd, but it’s precisely these little quirks that I encountered so often during my semester abroad in Great Britain. It’s different, but in a charming and very humorous way. Take driving on the left, for example. It’s a symbol of British independence and tradition that likely dates back to the Roman Empire. At first, crossing the street is a dangerous endeavor, but eventually it becomes second nature. I was particularly fascinated by British humor, which is dry, self-deprecating, and palpable everywhere. Whether in conversations, advertising, music, film, or everyday life, it’s simply part of the fabric of the culture. This photo, too, captures exactly that humor: calm, subtle, and yet full of meaning. Another aspect of “Britishness” for me is the relationship with their dogs. They’re more than just pets; they’re part of society. You come across them in pubs, parks, or cafés—well-behaved, stylish, almost aristocratic. You can’t help but think of the Queen and her corgis. It’s a symbol of just how deeply rooted this culture is. And finally: the ability to take one’s time. Whether it’s over a cup of tea and a scone or a leisurely drive with the top down. Taking a conscious break is part of everyday life. In Great Britain, I learned that you don’t have to be productive all the time. It’s okay to just enjoy yourself once in a while. The humor, the dogs, driving on the left, and the calm demeanor—all of that, to me, is Britishness. And somehow, all of that is captured in this one moment, which I managed to capture with a little luck and good timing.
I’ve picked out my mate set, which my host family gave me for Christmas. Mate tea is an important part of Uruguayan culture. No matter where you go—whether to college, a restaurant, or the store—mate is always with you. But it’s most enjoyable when shared with friends while sitting together in the park or on the beach. It’s a cultural highlight that has accompanied me throughout my entire trip and has helped me strike up conversations with many new people. Back in Germany, I also often enjoy my mate, which gives me energy and reminds me of an unforgettable semester abroad.
I chose this photo because, to me, it reflects the pure joy of life and energy that I was able to experience during my semester abroad in South America. The carnival, with its colorful costumes, rhythmic drumming, and people dancing in the streets, is an expression of a vibrant culture that is both captivating and unifying. For me, this image perfectly captures the special atmosphere and cultural intensity of that experience.
I chose this photo because it beautifully captures the timeless traditional life of the people living along the Padma River. Women in matching yellow saris joyfully cross the riverbank, heading to a holud ceremony—a vibrant symbol of culture, unity, and resilience. The Padma River, ever-changing in its flow, mirrors the bittersweet rhythm of life here—filled with both celebration and struggle. Yet, through the changing seasons, the traditions remain deeply rooted, passing from one generation to the next, just like the river itself.
It is a vibrant photo that captures a joyful moment from a traditional Palestinian henna party, a cultural celebration often held before a wedding. In the center, a woman dressed in an intricately embroidered thobe (traditional Palestinian dress) and adorned with gold accessories and a white headscarf is dancing among a group of women. The women around her carry ornately decorated baskets and clay jugs, which are often used in Palestinian henna rituals. This photo beautifully reflects living heritage through vibrant clothing, dance, and ritual objects, making it a powerful and authentic representation of culture and tradition.
2024: New Friends—New Experiences
