Photo Competition 2024
In 2024, the International Office once again received over 160 photos from students at the University of Potsdam who have completed a semester or internship abroad within the last year.
From these, the jury selected 20 winning photos, which you can find on this page. You will see that they tell the most diverse stories from all five continents - which made the decision anything but easy. We hope you enjoy them!
Take a look at our Instagram account and comment on your favorite photos: @internationaloffice.up
Top 20 Submissions
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place
1st place: "Hagia Sophia durchs Teleskop" by Philipp Hermann
Taken: Istanbul, Turkey (June 2024)
The story behind the photo:
"I spent my time abroad in the beautiful and historic city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople). Istanbul has a rich history and has historically always been an important place and a hub for trade. The city also represents the geographical border between Europe and Asia. Probably the most important and historically best-known building is the Hagia Sophia. This was once consecrated as a Christian church under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted into a mosque, minarets were added and Christian icons were removed or painted over. Under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, it was converted into a museum after the end of the Ottoman Empire in order to preserve it as a symbol of a secular state. In 2020, it was converted back into a mosque by President Erdoğan. The Hagia Sophia is located in the center of Istanbul, and so the photo should also show it accordingly."
2nd place: "Sprung nach Trolltunga" by Johanna Nehmert
Taken: Vestland, Norway (September 2023)
The story behind the photo:
"I set off with my three roommates to the Trolltunga rocky cliff, even though none of us had any experience of long hikes. We carried tents and sleeping bags to spend the night at the top, as the route was 20 km long. The photo shows me taking our first break on the way up."
3rd place: "Eternidade" by Chris-Bennet Fleger
Taken: Portugal, Coimbra, Quinta das Lágrimas (October 2024)
The story behind the photo:
"In the middle of the historic gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas stands a majestic Australian fig tree that once witnessed a tragic love story. This place, deeply rooted in Portuguese history, is closely linked to the legend of Inês de Castro, who was killed under mysterious circumstances in the 14th century. According to legend, the tears she shed fed the stream that still flows through the gardens today. The imposing fig tree, a symbol of life and permanence, offers a stark contrast to the ephemeral and dramatic story of love and loss that surrounds this place."
