Around the world, Chanticleers have experienced a variety of cultures through study abroad programs, taking in sights thousands of miles from home that are now displayed on campus.
Beginning in January, faculty, staff and students had the opportunity to bring differing cultures to Coastal via a photo contest.
The competition accepted submissions across six categories: academic adventures, foodie moments, sustainability abroad, unexpected discoveries, people’s choice and cultural immersion. The top three photos in each category placed, except for people’s choice, where only one photo was chosen.
The three that placed in the cultural immersion category shared their experiences and encouraged others to explore as well.
In the cultural immersion category, junior business management major Sierra Hohenshilt took first place. Following in second place was senior visual communication design major Jaylin Pitt, and Associate Professor of marketing Richard Flight placed third.
The top-ranked photo featured Hohenshilt’s experience in the Galeries Lafayette in Paris, France, during her semester abroad last fall. “I think it’s one of those things that you look at, and you’re just, like, awestruck by how beautiful,” Hohenshilt said.
Hohenshilt recommended that fellow students get involved in study abroad programs as well as contests such as this.
“I think it’s so important to just realize that there’s different places out there and different cultures and different people,” Hohenshilt said. “And even if we can’t relate to them, we’re all human, right? I think just seeing that there’s beauty in every place and how transforming that can be to your worldview.”
During the May semester of 2025, second-place winner Pitt traveled to Tokyo, Japan, and had the opportunity to visit Tokyo DisneySea.
While on the “Tangled” boat ride, she was inspired to take a photo of the lantern scene because Rapunzel is her mom’s favorite Disney princess.
Pitt said that Tokyo DisneySea is unique because it features characters and cultural elements outside of the usual Disney brand of Mickey Mouse.
“It felt like you were at Disney but also felt a bit different and more like you were in a different country,” Pitt said.
Third place winner Flight entered a photo he took of the Sagrada Família basilica during his stop in Barcelona, Spain, when representing Coastal Carolina University at an academic conference near the end of March 2025. He said that after traveling abroad and participating in the photo contest, he’s learned how to see life in a different manner.
“I think one of the ideas is that you see things through a different lens. If you think of the context that things are in, it develops more meaning,” Flight said.
Flight said the contest was not just for professional photographers but for anyone who caught unique, different or intriguing elements of culture. In accordance with this, all the winners captured the photos with their phones.
Noting this, Flight spoke on how study abroad trips are inclusive of anyone willing to take the step and open their eyes, no experience necessary. Students and faculty embrace adventure in study abroad programs each semester, now with the chance to share the view at home.
