Home > Global Gallery

Global Gallery

UTIA International Photo Contest

A part of the Smith Center’s mission is to create global change agents among UT students, faculty, and staff. We encourage and support members of the UT community to take their work, expertise, and studies abroad to engage with global partners beyond Tennessee’s borders. Each year we give UT students, staff, and faculty a chance to share their global experiences through our annual International Photo Contest. The goal of this contest is to highlight the international experiences our students, faculty, and staff have taken on and share how we are continuing to Grow Global across UTIA.

The international photo contest is held in conjunction with the annual UTIA International Showcase, where attendees have the chance to vote for the top submissions. After the International Showcase concludes, the top 15 photos are displayed on the second floor of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Building in the Smith Center’s Global Gallery for all to enjoy for the year.  

2026 International Photo Contest – Top Submissions

  • Young lioness photo in black and white.
    Young lioness watching tourists pass by. Photo by C. Patterson.
  • A white and gray seagull with a yellow beak and yellow feet perched inside the Colosseum.
    A seagull quietly contemplating the rise and fall of the ancient Roman Empire from its perch inside the Colosseum. Photo by H. Harbin.
  • A black and white cow hiding behind green plants.
    A cow grazes near downtown Allihies, Ireland. Photo by S. Byrd.
  • The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
    Nature’s Architecture at the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland. Photo by V. Mandalia.
  • A cement gate structure surrounded by pink blossoming cherry blossoms.
    Cherry Blossoms and Torii Gate in Tokyo’s Ueno Park. Photo by S. Gavel.
  • Colorful flags hung up around a landscape with hills.
    Prayer Flags Over Thimpu, Bhutan. Photo by M. Souza.
  • Cement statues covered with handwritten notes at the bottom of the statues.
    Silent Devotion: offerings and handwritten wishes gather at the feet of ancient statues. Photo by K. Whitefield.
  • The Arenal Volcano on a sunny day. A few clouds are in the sky; the volcano is surrounded by bright greenery.
    The Arenal Volcano. Photo by K. Fitzgerald.
  • A line of buildings across a lake in front of green, snow-topped mountains.
    A view across Fjardará lake, Seyðisfjörður, Iceland. Photo by K. McKim.
  • Four guard individuals in red and white outfits walking at the Hassan Tower.
    Changing of the guard at the Hassan Tower. Photo by H. Goertz.
  • An individual working with leafy greens. A white dog is in the background of the photo, looking in on the work.
    Preparing leafy greens for a community event. Photo by G. Carter.
  • A sunset across the Gulf of Naples, two boats are crossing the water in front of Mt. Vesuvius.
    Mt. Vesuvius, across the Gulf of Naples. Photo by D. Golden.
  • A group of bright pink flamingos are standing in blue ocean water.
    A group of flamingos congregated along the shoreline. Photo by C. Temple.
  • A black and white hummingbird is getting food from a bright purple flower. The bird is surrounded by bright green and purple plants.
    Hummingbird getting its breakfast. Photo by C. Menard.
  • The Cliffs of Moher on a sunny day with clouds in the sky. Many people are visiting.
    Drawing a Crowd. Photo by A. Carter.

2025 International Photo Contest – Top Submissions

  • A man throwing a fishing net into a body of water.
    Mastering the Art of Catching a Rare Fish. Photo by A. Bajo-Walker.
  • Shrine on a rainy day. Many people are holding umbrellas.
    Shrine on a Rainy Day. Photo by Z. Zwickey.
  • A buffalo skull sitting in a pasture with yellow flowers surrounding it.
    Africa Buffalo Skull with Mt. Kilimanjaro in the Background. Photo by T. Rowan.
  • Two large kayaks are floating in a body of water. The sun is setting in the background.
    Sunset Kayaking in the Floating Islands of Lake Titicaca. Photo by T. Clapp.
  • A bridge across a green and yellow pasture.
    Madrid, Spain. Photo by S. Moisa.
  • A black and white cow is standing in a bright green pasture. The sky is blue with a few clouds.
    Cow in Zaans Schans, Netherlands. Photo by S. Hoesel.
  • A group of penguins are standing on the sand with the ocean in the background.
    Penguins of Boulder Beach. Photo by N. Hristov.
  • A large gray hippo is grazing in a marshy water and grass pasture. There is a white bird beside the hippo.
    Grazing Hippo and Friends. Photo by M. Capley.
  • A donkey is standing in front of white buildings. The donkey is carrying goods on its back.
    Donkeys and Mules Play a Massive Role in the Transport of Goods on the Island of Santorini. Photo by L. Tolley.
  • Two ducks are swimming in a clear body of water.
    Perfect Swimming Conditions. Photo by K. Graas.
  • A green landscape with large rocks and a cloudy sky.
    The Fairy Garden. Photo by J. Alley.
  • A crocodile sitting in green grass.
    Shakira the Crocodile Waiting Patiently in the Rain for Her Next Pray. Photo by F. Bennett.
  • A small brown house surrounded by bright greenery.
    Hobbit House. Photo by E. Bettis.
  • The coast of Positano, Italy. There are a few boats in the bright blue water.
    Positano, Italy. Photo by D. Golden.
  • Large trees at sunset.
    Road to Dusk, Path to Wonder. Photo by B. Pedreira.

2024 International Photo Contest – Top Submissions

  • A yellow house across a body of water in front of a bright green mountain.
    Photo by A. Flores.
  • A red and white lantern with Japanese writing hanging on a porch.
    Tofu restaurant in Japan after visiting to establish new connections with universities there. Photo by S. Eda.
  • A group of individuals carrying bags of vanilla above their heads.
    Vanilla carrying in the rain in Uganda. Photo by D. Ader.
  • A monkey sitting on the road holding a bundle of leaves.
    Olive Baboon in Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania. Photo by A. Trivanovic.
  • Two blue houses with meat for sale hanging in the windows.
    Shops selling meat in Uganda. Photo by D. Ader.
  • A street in Shanghai. All of the buildings have bright yellow and red architecture.
    Shanghai – a city that seamlessly blends ancient and modern art of architecture. Photo by S. Ren.
  • A wooden fence with a golden-orange sunset in the background.
    Golden Dusk over Brazilian Semiarid. Photo by B. Pedreira.
  • A woman sitting on a blue boat with fresh pineapple and watermelon around her.
    Fresh pineapple prepared by a vendor who also lives on this boat at the Cai Rang Floating Market in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Photo by M. Owens.
  • White crosses lined up in rows on green grass. There is a body of water in the background.
    Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Photo by D. Golden.
  • A cityscape along the coast of La Spezia.
    The city along the coast in La Spezia, Italy. Photo by A. Bainbridge.
  • Sunset over the ocean in Jamaica. The water is bright blue and there are four boats in the water.
    The sun sets on another beautiful day in Negril, Jamaica. Photo by D. Devault.
  • A group of people in a red canoe are paddling through a body of water. They are surrounded by tall green trees.
    Paddling into the blue pool on the Bladen River to search for wild cacao with the Ya’axché Rangers in Belize. Photo by H. Brabazon.
  • Multiple hands are stacked together in a circle.
    Farmer-to-Farmer visit to Cambodia. Photo by J. Jurat-Fuentes.
  • Various bowls of food are stacked up at a local market.
    Market Visit in Cambodia. Photo by J. Jurat-Fuentes.
  • A group of elephants are crossing a grassy pasture. There is a small body of water in front of them.
    Lewa wildlife conservancy in Kenya. Photo by J. Jurat-Fuentes.

2023 International Photo Contest – Top Submissions

  • A girl in an orange shirt and gray bucket hat is high-fiving another girl. Both are smiling.
    Photo by P. Nickens.
  • Two men are dancing.
    Photo by A. Cooley.
  • A man is working with colorful cloth.
    Photo by A. Muhammad.
  • Bright, colorful masks are lined up hanging on a wall.
    Photo by S. Eda.
  • Two individuals are dancing, they are wearing bright, colorful outfits.
    Photo by G. Figueroa.
  • Stone architecture with a tree growing through the building.
  • Two individuals working with fabric.
    Photo by K. Johnson.
  • A man sitting next to a donkey that has baskets on its back. There are bright green mountains in the background.
    Photo by L. Moore
  • Iron architecture in front of purple flowers and a mountain in the background.
    Photo by K. Tocci.
  • A monkey sitting on a tree branch.
    Photo by J. Ward.

Feeling inspired to share your international experiences? 

Photo contest submissions open every May for current UT students, faculty, and staff to submit. Submissions close in late July. Check back in May for more information!

  • Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture
  • 213 Agriculture and Natural Resources Building 2431 Joe Johnson Drive
  • Knoxville, TN 37996
  • P: 865-974-7747
  • utsmithcenter@utk.edu