A Program of the 
Congratulations to the 2024 CLS Alumni Photo Contest Finalists!
We’re excited to announce the winners and honorable mentions of the 2024 CLS Alumni Photo Contest! The CLS Team was very impressed by the insightful submissions from our 2024 alumni - we truly appreciate everyone who submitted entries. This year’s competition included six categories, highlighting impactful and memorable moments from the summer. Congratulations to this year’s six winners and several honorable mentions:
Mutual Understanding
Winner—Alina Bozhko
Language: Russian
Site: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
"I was taking photos of the horses, and this boy asked me if I wanted to ride the horse for a photo. We talked about how he took care of the horses, and I was impressed by his knowledge."
Language Learning in Action
Winner—Ashley Hajimirsadeghi
Language: Korean
Site: Busan, South Korea
"The markets of Busan were a great place to practice our Korean. From ordering heaping servings of mandu and tteokbokki to buying a pair of linen pants to beat the heat, these markets were also an incredible place to hear shopkeepers' stories and learn about ordinary life for Koreans. This picture I took in Gukje Market, which is a historical market known for its role in helping refugees after the Korean War. Here I not only practiced my Korean, but my Mandarin Chinese as well!"
Language Partner, Roommate or Host Family Connection
Winner—Ashley Wilson
Language: Japanese
Site: Okayama, Japan
"For one of the free travel weekends, I had planned to go to Kyoto alone. CLS was my first time being in Japan so I wanted to travel to some new places, one of which being the Kinkakuji Temple! It is known as the temple made of gold. I had told Minori-san that I wanted to go to Kyoto but I was upset about going alone, and she said she would meet me there for a day! She loves Kyoto so she was very excited at the opportunity to travel. It was so heartwarming having a new friend who cared so much, asking when I arrived and if I had eaten. And this was an experience given to me through CLS which I am very fortunate for."
Overcoming Challenges
Winner—Bella Lin
Language: Korean
Site: Busan, South Korea
"The templestay cultural excursion my cohort and I participated in was definitely a really new experience. Many of us faced challenges in keeping up with the strict lifestyles of the monks at the temple, but we all overcame it by going through the activities together and having fun while doing so. During our down time, some of my cohort members and I decided to climb the nearby hill that led to a Buddha statue at the top, and although the climb was challenging, we all encouraged each other to get to the top, ultimately enjoying the breathtaking view all together."
Group Bonding Moment
Winner—Christina White
Language: Persian
Site: Dushanbe, Tajikistan
"On weekends, CLS Persian participants often made social plans that involved nature! We found a local tour guide to take us to a mountain about 2 hours north of the capital, Dushanbe. This was one of the most strenuous hikes I’ve ever completed, and at an altitude of 3,000 meters! We shared cookies and chai once we reached a hidden lake near the peak. Along the way, we saw a shepherd and his family guiding hundreds of sheep, groups of donkeys, and wildflowers that added bursts of color to the lush green hills."
Technology & Language Learning
Winner—Dechen Atsatsang
Language: Chinese
Site: CLS Spark (Institute: LTL Language School Singapore)
"Technology bridged the gap between continents during my CLS Spark experience. This image shows my study space, where I balanced textbooks, online resources, and virtual lessons. From engaging with my teacher and peers via video calls to practicing vocabulary with digital flashcards, technology became my most valuable tool in mastering Mandarin."
Honorable Mentions
Mutual Understanding—Ellen Williams
Language: Indonesian
Site: Malang, Indonesia
Mutual Understanding—Sophia Moore-Smith
Language: Swahili
Site: Arusha, Tanzania
Language Learning in Action—Alexandra Thompson
Language: Russian
Site: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Language Learning in Action—Laura Rose Jean Findlay
Language: Arabic
Site: Amman, Jordan
Language Partner, Roommate or Host Family Connection—Jeff Mathwig
Language: Indonesian
Site: Malang, Indonesia
Language Partner, Roommate or Host Family Connection—Emily Olson
Language: Indonesian
Site: Malang, Indonesia
Overcoming Challenges—Sophia Moore-Smith
Language: Swahili
Site: Arusha, Tanzania
Overcoming Challenges—Ashley Hajimirsadeghi
Language: Korean
Site: Busan, South Korea
Group Bonding Moment—Diana D'Souza
Language: Chinese
Site: New Taipei City, Taiwan
Group Bonding Moment—Gabe Baskin
