Skip to main content

International in the UK - Entries and Voting

See the amazing photos and stories from our globally active students and vote for your favourite.
Return to the photo competition homepage
Voting and ballot box

How to vote:

Members of Durham University may vote via the following online form: https://forms.office.com/e/bn5b7BEQ1n.  Only one voting submission is allowed. So that entrants don't just only vote for their own photo, voters will be required to vote for three photos in each category, ranking them from one to three. Therefore, please take a note of the ID of the photos that you wish to vote for. The deadline for votes is 12:00 (noon) 28th February.

Category and creative brief - International in the UK

The photos on this page are for the category International in the UK, please also visit the following page for entries in the category Global Durham (abroad). The creative brief encouraged students to think about - and capture in a photo – the Global Week theme of ‘inclusivity’ with an international angle. What does this mean to them? It could mean feeling included in a new place, helping others through an international transition or it may be becoming a global citizen and feeling included through a celebration of our own diversity. Students were, therefore, encouraged to interpret ‘inclusivity’ widely. Whether it was a feeling, person, or place, we wanted students to try to capture that essence in a photograph.

Entries

37. A day as an international student at SGIA in Durham

This was taken at a very busy day, which I had 2 meetings, 2 lectures and 1 seminar. The day was rushy, which I was pressured. When I looked up the sky, I sighed for the beautiful of it. It's unique, changing every single day. There's no repeatable route for it, just like our life. It's changing every second, every minute, every month, every year.
Being an international student is not easy, the braveness of living home, the loneliness after coming... There're too much to handle, but the beautiful environment helps to relief some of the pressure. Enjoy the moment and enjoy the life here. 

 

 

 

 

 

38. A house where you belong

This picture was taken at a Christmas Dinner with international students. The people on the picture are the hosts, five international flatmates. Not one in this picture share the same nationality with another. Yet they share a house. Michelle, Viky, Akshit, Alex and Leo : thank you for opening your door.

 

 

 

39. A Journey Through Time

This timelapse encapsulates inclusivity in a dynamic tapestry. From vibrant daylight to the serenity of night, it mirrors the evolving global landscape. The river's flow symbolizes the interconnectedness of diverse cultures. Inclusivity, for me, means finding belonging in new places, embracing global citizenship, and celebrating our diverse identities. This video immortalizes the shared journey of humanity, a testament to the beauty found in inclusivity.

N.B this entry was edited after entry to a single shot as this is a photo not a video competition.

40. A symbolic encounter

In this photograph, a solitary crane stands tall before a flock of flamingoes in a serene pond of Camargue in the south of France. Symbolising the feeling of being different and striving to fit in, it captures the essence of diversity and acceptance. 

The contrasting colours highlight the beauty of our differences and remind us to embrace diversity, appreciate individuality, and foster unity. 

It depicts the struggles of an international student striving to fit in a new and often frightening environment; different but not alone.

41. Are international students black sheep in Durham?

This analogue photo was taken on a walk in the north of Durham in January. It was shot with a Nikon FE and Kodak UltraMax 400 film. The sheep could represent the students at the University of Durham and the black sheep on the left an international student. At first it seems to stand out on the outside, but in its manner it is a sheep like any other in this meadow. The international students also seem to stand out at first glance due to their clothing, language or appearance. But are they black sheeps? Of course not. They see themselves as part of the community and are students like everyone else. 
They eat up the professors' learning material just like all other students. Just as calmly as the sheep eat their grass in this picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

42. Christmas crackers, they pop

The photo was taken at a Christmas Dinner we organized between international students. We shared food from many different countries and culture, and spend the night relating to each other stories of coming to Durham. Then, we popped, with surprise, the Christmas crackers, a British tradition. It was like a first Christmas. Happiness of the new.

 

 

 

43. City Views

In the background, landmarks such as the London Eye and the River Thames can be seen, yet the focus is on a vandalised lamp post, decked out in locks and stickers. This is a key tourist spot and the graffiti shows names and comments in a variety of languages, a comedic representation of the multiculturalism of the city. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44. Colors of Unity: Embracing Diversity in the Global Pride Parade

This photo captured during a spirited moment in the Global Pride Parade, this image encapsulates the essence of inclusivity. Amidst a sea of vibrant flags and exuberant expressions, individuals from diverse backgrounds unite under the common banner of Pride. The photograph celebrates the beauty of love, freedom, and acceptance, showcasing the power of inclusivity on a global scale. 

 

 

 

45. Durham as a stopover on our study journey

 

This analogue photo was taken on a January walk in the north of Durham. It was shot with a Nikon FE and Kodak UltraMax 400 film. The train could represent the fast pace of the semester abroad. The train doesn't really stop, it's constantly moving. Time flies by in the blink of an eye. You can take in your surroundings briefly, but there is hardly any time to pause. 
As an international student, you are also travelling a lot with the train, you want to discover the country, other cities and the culture. But it's also nice to go for a walk to reflect on your experiences like I did in this picture. 
Durham will be remembered as a stopover on the journey of our studies. Because we will move on and leave Durham and it’s landscape behind.

 

 

46. First Snow: The Path to Belonging

 

As I wandered through the fresh snowfall, camera in hand, the world around me transformed into a page from a storybook. In the earliest year of my PhD studies, amid the quiet uncertainty of the pandemic, I found resilience in these walks. This photo, a testament to those serene moments, reflects the inclusivity I felt in Durham; a place once foreign, now a backdrop to my journey of growth and belonging.

 

 

 

 

 

47. Girl in Hanfu on the streets of London

 

I take this photo of my flatmate who wears a traditional Chinese dress, the Hanfu, in Regent Street, London, during the New Year period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48. London Central Mosque 

 

The photo depicts one of England’s most iconic mosques. Situated in bustling central London, the building is a testament to the inclusivity of the city, where people of different faiths are given space to practice their beliefs. It is joined to the Islamic Cultural Centre and is beautifully designed with a golden dome, geometric art and stained glass windows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49. Matriculation Day

Memorable moment of matriculation day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50. Music enlightens souls through history

3rd November 2023. Candlelight Concert in Durham Cathedral by Warren Mailley-Smith. I feel blessed to have immersed myself into the world of music that night. What makes music inclusive to individuals is its power to connect our emotions. Everyone’s interpretation is unique The harmonic chords in between excerpts brought you back to the past, contemplating Baroque music or bells from Orthodox churches. Capturing the rich history of the Cathedral, this photo serves to encourage us as global citizens to learn from history and exchange ideas based on one’s background. And music is a common ground that connects our souls. 

 

 

 

 

51. Never under value the space you've got 

“Never under value the space you've got” speaks for all. Taken in Hong Kong, 2014, this was a space where global voices were gathered, assembled and disseminated in an annual rally. I believe this photo enriches the definition of  inclusivity by demonstrating how people in society empower their human rights and freedom of speech for a better good. Regardless of ethnicity and stances, everyone’s space is unique. It is your choice to decorate your space, for either yourself or others. Still, this is a remarkable reminder to all who value the space of unique individuals for making a better world.

52. Oh, we met in the babs queue.

Oh, we met in the babs queue,' isn't just a title; it's where, like many others, our friendship began in the hazy first days of Freshers. An Italian seeing snow for the first time, and a Finn and Scot for the millionth. Inclusivity at Durham is supercharged by the charmingly small world of our campus.

53. Rainbow

In this photo, a vibrant rainbow stretches across the sky, creating a breathtaking display of colours. The rainbow, with its diverse and harmonious spectrum, serves as a powerful symbol of inclusivity. Just as the rainbow encompasses a wide range of colours, inclusivity embraces and celebrates diversity in all forms, fostering unity and acceptance for everyone, regardless of differences. The beauty of the rainbow in the photo mirrors the beauty that arises when individuals from various backgrounds come together, creating a more colourful and inclusive society.

 

54. Rising sun

 

It was captured in Durham Station when I was running for an early train. I am lucky to see the beautiful scene and want to extend the idea that beauty is everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55. Volunteering with a Variety of People

I have participated in volunteering for primary school students in Durham. It was an after school activity, and we let them plant seeds and draw on stones. Although there were only 6 volunteers, 2 of them were from Asia, including me. Also, one of them was using a wheelchair. It strongly conveys a message that anyone can join volunteering, no matter where you come from and whether you have disabilities or not. The passion for doing something good for others is the most important thing. Why don’t you participate in volunteering?

 

 

 

56. warm encirclement to an outsider

Entry 56

it was a cold day in December. An empty city left with a person no friends or family around him. Standing on the bridge watching the sun going down, the sky was dyed violet. The blurry trees and bushes vagued the sharpness of the sight. The loneliness, perceived exclusion, and distinctions of holiday arrangement were swept away by the dyed sky. Time was frozen, and the bona fide dismissed by Durham made the scene contain purely you and me, as a being over anything else.

 

 

 

 

 

 

57. No title

Entry 57

No description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scrabble tiles on a wooden stand that spell out the word vote.

Don't forget!

You will need to view photos in both categories in order to vote, so don't forget to visit both pages

Click here to view Global Durham (Abroad) entries Click here to view International in the UK