2017 International Photography Exhibition
2017 International Photography ExhibitionThe 2017 International Photography Exhibition features 40 original photographs taken overseas by Ohio State faculty, staff, students, visiting scholars and alumni. The Office of International Affairs annual Photography Exhibition includes a Best in Show winner, first, second and third place awards in three categories: People, Places and Politics. Additional honorable mentions were also chosen to include in the exhibit. The exhibition was on display on the first floor of the Ohio Union outside of the Great Hall meeting room for November and December of 2017.
12 February
12 February
Location: Cairo, Egypt – February, 2011
Photographer: Angela Davis
Home Country: Egypt
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Politics
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “More than 6 years ago, Egypt joined much of the Arab world in what was known as the Arab Spring. I was still in high school, but I remember this month all too well. On February 12 I ventured with family to Tahrir Square, the heart of the entire revolution. The streets were packed with cheering people, waving their Egyptian flags proudly. I, too, was proud of Egypt’s persistence and continual fight for freedom. That sea of red, white and black waving back and forth is a sight that I can’t forget.”
A Moment
A Moment
Location: Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France - July, 2017
Photographer: Mary Rust
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “The inside, looking out of the clock face to the street and Seine River. Among the first into the museum I made a beeline for the top floor to pay tribute to the masters of Impressionism. Before meeting the impressionists I came upon one of many monumental clocks. The light streaming in beckoned me to pause. I captured the rare solitary view from the inside looking out onto the city of Paris.”
Barnes & Gorbachev
Barnes & Gorbachev
Location: Exclusion Zone, Pripyat, Ukraine – November, 2015
Photographer: Steven Kenworthy
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: 2nd Place
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In the artist’s own words: “At first glance this photo doesn’t come off as political but when you considered the geopolitical cover-up and media redirection of how the Chernobyl fallout unfolded, it reflects quintessential USSR corruption. Thousands of innocent Ukrainians were exposed to three more days of immense radiation due to staying in Pripyat while the Soviet government continued to underreport the devastating consequences of remaining near the site of reactor No. 4.”
Beneath the Glacier
Beneath the Glacier
Location: Iceland – February, 2017
Photographer: Steven Hirsch
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Places
Award: Best in Show
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In the artist’s own words: “Glacial ice cave beneath 60 feet of ice in southern Iceland. In the winter you can access caves which change every year with the melting and refreezing of the seasons. I hiked on the glacier with my wife and friends to this “waterfall cave” in February. It was everything I hoped for as the natural light brings out spectacular blues in the ice and gives the cave life.”
Biarritz Night
Biarritz Night
Location: Biarritz, France – March, 2015
Photographer: Victoria Piper
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “My first night on the boarder of France ended in a night walk on the beach. Out of the haze loomed these peculiarly scraggly trees, the likes of which I’ve never seen before, offset by the distant lighthouse. Captivated by the ambiance, I took this shot. Purely of personal sentiment, this picture shifted photography from simply a passion to a serious academic pursuit in my life as I began entering it in art shows.”
Camera Shy
Camera Shy
Location: Project Somos Children’s Village, Guatemala – July, 2017
Photographer: Kelsey Egelhoff
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: People
Award: 2nd Place
Facebook - Camera Shy
In the artist’s own words: “Project Somos is a place of healing, peace, recovery and new beginnings. As part of a photography service retreat, I visited to document this beautiful place and teach the women and children how to use a camera. This photo was taken on the first day and the children were a little camera shy. By the end of the week they were full of smiles and loved being in front and behind the camera.”
Cattle in Dust Storm
Cattle in Dust Storm
Location: Far North Region, Cameroon – March, 2010
Photographer: Mark Moritz
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Faculty
Category: Places
Award: 3rd Place
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In the artist’s own words: “The picture was taken during a dust storm that colored everything yellow. I was conducting fieldwork with mobile pastoralists in Cameroon. The longer I work with pastoralists, the more I appreciate their aesthetics and I end up taking more pictures of cattle than people.”
Church Steeples in Santorini
Church Steeples in Santorini
Location: Santorini, Greece – May, 2017
Photographer: Emma Hoying
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “I took this photo of the blue topped church domes at sunset on my first day at Santorini. The blue domes are iconic to Santorini and even to Greece. This photo captures the dusk feel of the moment and the importance of religion in Greece. Something like 97% of people are Greek Orthodox in Greece.”
City of Love
City of Love
Location: Paris, France – May, 2017
Photographer: Elaine Louden
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “After climbing hundreds of old, stone stairs to the top of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Paris, I saw graffiti. At first I was disappointed. This landmark had been defaced! But then, I looked closer when the bold, black sharpie caught my eye. I was standing in the Sacred Heart of Paris, the City of Love, and the city was talking to me. It was saying “Love is us, love is Paris.”
Crash Landing
Crash Landing
Location: Sólheimasandur, Iceland – July, 2017
Photographer: Max Leu
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Places
Award: 1st Place
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In the artist’s own words: “I really love this photo of the remains of a U.S. naval plane that crashed on a black sand beach in 1973 because of the journey that it took to get there. Pull off the road and walk down a rock road into nothingness for 45 minutes. It’s like a different planet. In every direction there is nothing but small black rocks covering the landscape for miles. It was quite foggy and looked like something out of a horror movie. A desolate environment blanketed by fog as far as the eye could see.”
Dock of Hope
Dock of Hope
Location: Senya, Ghana – May, 2017
Photographer: Xiaohan Huo
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “People in Senya rely on fishing to live a life. The colors of the boats are a perfect representation of Ghana, lively and colorful. Family of the fishermen would wait anxiously by the shore to welcome them back from a long day of work. It’s when the waves are really strong so young men will also be there to offer a hand to pull them over. The strong sense of community, support and love that I felt at that moment makes it unforgettable.”
Domineering
Domineering
Location: Rome, Italy – May, 2017
Photographer: Michael Rizk
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “As an architecture student, I took this photo because I was drawn to the simple symmetry of this Fascist church, but its monumentality is indicative of a darker time in Italian politics when Mussolini used architecture to inspire nationalism.”
Dusk
Dusk
Location: Raghurajpur, India - June, 2017
Photographer: Varuni Sureddy
Home Country: India
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “Associated to traditional Indian households in some parts of rural India, this is a scene of a woman preparing meals leaving wafts of spices, burnt charcoal in the air. It was a distinct sensory experience, a moment that I distinctly remember.”
Gásadalur, Faroe Islands
Gásadalur, Faroe Islands
Location: Gásadalur, Faroe Islands – August, 2017
Photographer: Philip Arnold
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Staff
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “Home to a dozen inhabitants, the village of Gásadalur on the island of Vágar is surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the Faroe Islands and by the ocean to the southwest. Before a tunnel was constructed in 2004, the remote village was accessible by a footpath over Knavin, a 485-meter mountain. Called the “post route,” the path was covered three times a week by a very dedicated mail carrier. I made my visit to Gásadalur by hiking this route.”
Glacier Lagoon
Glacier Lagoon
Location: Jokulsarlon, Iceland – May, 2017
Photographer: Megan Steva
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Staff
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “The glacier lagoon at Jokulsarlon is a sadly beautiful place. You’ll see the most beautiful shades of blue there. The morning we were there, it was also fogged in, making it all the more mesmerizing. This place only exists because of global warming. As the glacier fragments break off, they pass through this lagoon on their way out to the ocean. The size and depth of the lagoon has increased over the years, with more glacial melt.”
Gotta Pull It Hard
Gotta Pull It Hard
Location: Senya, Ghana – May, 2017
Photographer: Xiaohan Huo
Home Country: China
University Affliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “In Senya of Ghana, Africa, after a hard day of fishing, fishermen are pulling on their tiny fishing boat, fighting the ocean one last time for their precious “spoils of war.” I took this photo because I was really moved when I witnessed it happening. The strong wind, the large waves and the cohesive effort people are making towards the same goal made it an unforgettable moment.”
Hmong Woman
Hmong Woman
Location: Sapa, North Vietnam – May, 2017
Photographer: Ola Ahlqvist
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Faculty
Category: People
Award: 3rd Place
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In the artist’s own words: “The woman in the picture is a member of the indigenous hill tribes of northern Vietnam. When they are not taking care of their farm and family they walk into the town to sell their handicraft to tourists. Their ability to have this extra income and contact with visitors, some of them who learn English also offer guided tours, enhances their status in the village.”
Humanity
Humanity
Location: London, England – June, 2017
Photographer: Delaney Brochowski
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: Honorable Mention
Facebook - Humanity
In the artist’s own words: “On June 3, 2017 a terrorist attack took place on London Bridge. Several people lost their lives and many were injured. Just 11 days later I traveled to London. Only minutes into my first day in the city, I came across this outpouring of love on the bridge. Notes in numerous languages, from many different countries plastered the area. To see people from all over the world coming together to leave a message of support is the kind of hopeful reminder that we all need right now; a message of love, peace, strength, and unity.”
I Graffiti, Therefore I Am
I Graffiti, Therefore I Am
Location: Taipei, Taiwan – March, 2014
Photographer: Yu Lun Wu
Home Country: Taiwan
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “In 2014, nearly a million Taiwanese protested the ruling party’s push for the unfair trade pact with China. Protest activities happened continuously and everywhere. Young people even graffitied to demonstrate their anger toward this huge event.”
Long Live The Emperor!
Long Live The Emperor!
Location: Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan – December, 2014
Photographer: Shihong Fan
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: 1st Place
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In the artist’s own words: “I was visiting Tokyo on the Emperor’s birthday. Japanese people came to visit him and the Imperial Family to celebrate at The Inner Palace, which is only open two days a year. The Emperor thanked the public and relayed his concern about Japanese Military Legislation raised by Shinzō Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan. The public there agreed with emperor’s concern. I took this photo when the Emperor came out, and the crowds raised the flag and waved.”
Majesty of Morning
Majesty of Morning
Location: Vista Alegre, Paraguay – July, 2017
Photographer: Elizabeth Williams
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “A team of Salvadorans wait for their turns in the stress shoot event during the 2017 Fuerzas Comando competition held in Paraguay. The foggy morning was beautiful and calm, hanging in the air, while the tree branches framed their silhouettes. With bullets flying and competitors yelling behind me, the scene was a peaceful liberation from the commotion – maybe the first peaceful moment I’d had since I’d been in country.”
Mandela’s Cell
Mandela’s Cell
Location: Robben Island, South Africa – July, 2017
Photographer: Chris Newman
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “I captured this image of the cell which housed the great Nelson Mandela in black and white to highlight the reality that during apartheid society and race relations were seen as black or white. The photo is meaningful because he is one of my role models, a man of courage, integrity and great faith. Although confined to the brutality and racism of South African apartheid, Mandela remained poised and refused to let his physical state define his spiritual and mental position.”
Mongol Territory
Mongol Territory
Location: Tsonjin Boldog, Mongolia - April, 2017
Photographer: Jessica Wright
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
Facebook - Mongol Territory
In the artist’s own words: “On the outskirts of, Ulaanbaatar, lies the Genghis Khan Statue Complex. At 130 feet, this stainless steel statue of the 13th Century head of the Mongol Empire stands tall and mighty above the lands where modern Mongols live today. In the distance is a village of tent-like homes of the native peoples, Mongolian Gers. Although physically and spiritually removed from the Western World, one can not go far without feeling the presence of the once Great Kahn.”
Mongolian Masculinity
Mongolian Masculinity
Location: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – July, 2017
Photographer: Chenyao Zhang
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “The Naadam Festival is the biggest cultural event in Mongolia that happens annually. It consists of the three sports of men: wrestling, horse racing and archery. This picture captures the moment when the horses reaches the finish line during the game.”
More Than Go
More Than Go
Location: Vienna, Austria – March, 2017
Photographer: Jessica Wright
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Politics
Award: 3rd Place
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In the artist’s own words: “The image seen on this Viennese crosswalk signal means much more than “Go.” In 2015, Vienna introduced a variety of same-sex and opposite-sex themed crosswalk signals at 49 intersections as a representation of openness and tolerance. This project was installed leading up to two high profile events hosted in the capital city: the 60th Annual Eurovision Song Contest and the Life Ball charity event for people with HIV or AIDS. I see this as a symbol of social and political progress achieved in the most elegant and Viennese way.”
My Peace, Your Quiet
My Peace, Your Quiet
Location: Cape Horn, Chile - December, 2016
Photographer: Steven Kenworthy
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
Facebook - My Peace, Your Quiet
In the artist’s own words: “On our way to Antarctica, our guides told us that we were the first of 17 crews in the last 2 years able to stop at Cape Horn. Due to 40–50mph winds, massive waves and wake, the island is considered one of the most challenging places to visit on earth. When we saw this old, wooden church that seats up to just 12, I could not capture enough images of it. Among the unparalleled isolation and blasting winds - the entire scene felt surreal.”
Peace in Barcelona
Peace in Barcelona
Location: Barcelona, Spain – Summer, 2016
Photographer: Gwyneth Frederick
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: Honorable Mention
Facebook - Peace in Barcelona
In the artist’s own words: “With unrest between the Spanish and Catalonian political powers regarding the Catalonia vote for independence; and, the violent civilian-police clashes within the Barcelona’s city center, its good to remember that there are still peaceful parts of the old town, tucked into yellow courtyards. Just remember to fight for what you believe in and look up.”
Peace is Protected by Violence
Peace is Protected by Violence
Location: Yunnan, China – May, 2017
Photographer: Ziying Bian
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: Honorable Mention
Facebook - Peace is Protected by Violence
In the artist’s own words: “This unknown flower is growing freely in a memorial to the Chinese Expeditionary Force, who fought with the Japanese army in southeastern Asian to protect the road – the final supply line of the dying Republic of China – and finally failed after paying a high price. China survived and beat the Japanese Empire with significant foreign support at the end of WWII, and are grateful for the present peaceful environment won by warriors back then.”
Prayer Beast
Prayer Beast
Location: Boudhanath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal – August, 2017
Photographer: Steven Kenworthy
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
Facebook - Prayer Beast
In the artist’s own words: “When I first saw this elderly monk, I felt that maybe it would feel cheap or patronizing to photograph him while praying. After doing a second lap around the temple, I thought to myself - this is a core piece of their culture and it deserves to be shared. This man’s faith is his whole life and that’s powerful I think no matter what lens you choose to see it through.”
Puddle Under The Tower
Puddle Under The Tower
Location: Paris, France – May, 2017
Photographer: Elliot Gilfix
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: People
Award: 1st Place
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In the artist’s own words: “I love puddles. When I visited the Eiffel Tower in May 2017, I waited several minutes by a puddle until a couple walked into my frame.”
Radiance
Radiance
Location: Jerusalem, Israel – July, 2017
Photographer: Erin Wallace
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Staff
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “We were touring the city of Jerusalem and visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. As I was strolling through this beautiful place, I glanced up and saw the sun’s radiant beam filter through the rotunda.”
Sight of the Artist
Sight of the Artist
Location: Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island, Chile – March, 2017
Photographer: Shihong Fan
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “I met a Japanese photographer when I was waiting for the sunrise at Ahu Tongariki. He was working on his personal photography album by using a pinhole camera. When I took this shot, he was waiting for the sunlight to come out from behind a cloud. I talked with him and he shared his photography techniques and experience with me.”
Sunrise at Dragon Ridge Terrace
Sunrise at Dragon Ridge Terrace
Location: Guilin, Guangxi Province, China – September, 2017
Photographer: Haoyu Mi
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Places
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “Terraces are a unique way for the local people to plant rice, since in the mountain area, at grounds are hard to find. It’s amazing to see how they walk and work in the fields and how they’ve adapted to this way of living. Dragon Ridge Terrace must be one of the most spectacular terraces you can find and the sunrise is absolutely worth all the effort we made to get there.”
The Elephant Whisperer
The Elephant Whisperer
Location: Chiang-mai, Thailand – September, 2017
Photographer: Teresa Terrell
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: "Known as the “Elephant Whisperer” Lek Chailert is the founder of Elephant Nature Park. Lek softly serenades a 3 month old elephant, right underneath the baby’s protective nanny. The nanny knows and trusts Lek, and doesn’t let just anyone get this close to the baby. However, after the second verse of Que Sera Sera, the nanny reaches down with her trunk, not to push Lek away, but to cover Lek’s mouth, gently and comically urging Lek to stop singing."
The Last Stand
The Last Stand
Location: Pripyat, Ukraine – July, 2017
Photographer: Jason Zhu
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “Inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, 31 years after the notorious disaster, still stands the very last Soviet flag in the entire nation of Ukraine today. The Chernobyl disaster somewhat expedited the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and it’s not hard to understand why Ukrainian people chose to keep that one flag there.”
The Portrait
The Portrait
Location: Prague, Czech Republic – March, 2017
Photographer: Manu Sanjeev
Home Country: India
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “Prague had great artists working on its streets to sketch people, scenery and events. This lady was getting her portrait done for 10 Euros.”
Theatrics
Theatrics
Location: Karnataka, India – January, 2017
Photographer: Amogha Krishna
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Alumni
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
Facebook - Theatrics
In the artist’s own words: “A resting actor watches as his group of ten dancers entertain a crowd from dusk til dawn in Karnataka, India. He practices an art form called Yakshagana – a traditional theatre form that combines costumes, dance, dialogue, music, and stage techniques with a unique style. This art form has been practiced for hundreds of years, and through actors such as this, it still lives on today and into the future.”
This Is Nice
This Is Nice
Location: Shique Hutong, Beijing, China – September, 2017
Photographer: Sam Kay
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Graduate Student
Category: Politics
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “Beijing is in the throes of a campaign to “improve” its ancient hutongs by cracking down against the unauthorized doorways and windows through which many small working-class and migrant-owned businesses operate. Working alley by alley, local administrators mark these “illegal” openings with large red and yellow stickers. Several days later a crew of helmeted construction workers and security personnel work their way down the street methodically breaking windows and storefronts and quickly filling in the holes with bricks.”
Tro Tro
Tro Tro
Location: Senya, Ghana – August, 2017
Photographer: Kerry Jamieson
Home Country: United States
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
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In the artist’s own words: “I took this photo on what is called a “Tro tro” in Senya, Ghana. Tro tros are the main form of transportation. When I traveled to Ghana with The Akumanyi Foundation on a Buck-I-SERV trip, Tro tros were how we got from place to place. The fun thing about them is that oftentimes we were surrounded by Ghanaians who were always interested as to what a group of Americans was doing in Senya and we were able to share a bit about our trip with them in our time on the Tro tro. The people pictured in this photo are different Ghanaians traveling home from the city at the end of the day.”