In 2018, I spent my summer in The Gambia working with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). We visited Bundung Maternal and Child Health Hospital to attend a weekly male clinic discussion that encourages men to be more active and engaged partners during their spouse’s pregnancy. This man was sitting outside after the clinic and I was struck by the sweet moment between him and the baby in his lap.

Mount Huashan is known both for its outstanding views and for being home to one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. Despite the danger, this side of the mountain brings happiness to tourists with its friendly cats as well as bright red ribbons and locks that represent wishes for good fortune and longevity.

This photograph was taken at the henna party of a Moroccan bride. Before coming to this event, I didn’t realize how integral henna was in Moroccan wedding rituals. I watched as the artist created patterns on the bride, who truly looked like a queen. Being a foreigner in the room, I was happy to be welcomed into an intimate night full of dancing, food, and tradition.

After completing UNC Science in Scandinavia, my family and I visited Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen, established in the 12th century. We soaked in the beauty of what was once one of the largest trading port cities in Northern Europe. After walking through the fish market and experiencing the reflective city, we enjoyed the fjords of Norway.

Standing above one of Lalibela’s eleven 12th-century rock-hewn churches early on a Sunday morning, I watched Ethiopian Orthodox Christian pilgrims moving in and out of the church. The church is carved from a single piece of stone in the ground, causing people to move together through the tight corridors as they wind inside and around the church to pray.

This photo was taken at Auschwitz in the women’s camp section. Here, I saw the reality of World War II. I learned about remarkable individuals and their resilience. I learned about inspiring true stories of women being role models for their children during horrific circumstances and the importance of hope and endurance. It was the most moving and inspirational experience of my time abroad.

While visiting Guatemala with my Belizean host family, it didn’t take long for me to realize that vast bustling marketplaces were at the heart of many Guatemalan towns. These colorful marketplaces boast everything from fresh vegetables to hammocks and formal dresses. I quickly grew to prefer this communal venue for selling fresh produce straight from the source.

Off the cobblestone road of Antigua, women continue their family tradition of weaving tablecloths, clothes, purses, rugs, and everything in between. This woman has been weaving since age five, and now gets to share not only her love but also her livelihood with her daughter.

Having travelled to the remote town of Dawson in the Yukon territory of Canada, I spent three nights hoping to see the aurora. I found myself in its presence the very first night. At first I didn’t actually believe I was seeing it and was convinced that it was just my eyes playing tricks on me. But then it filled the night sky and I was reminded of the vastness of the universe.

One of the most beautiful things about Lisbon, Portugal, and many other cities in Europe is the way in which clothes are dried. Clothes hung outside windows and balconies add bright colors and interesting shapes to the streets, making for an amazing visual. This part of the culture is most admirable in that it conserves the energy that would otherwise be used by drying machines.

Because of the confluence of three tectonic plates that are being pulled apart, Djibouti has unique geological phenomena, including limestone formations, which makes this country a geologist’s dream. I watched the sunset as an Osprey aircraft from a nearby US military base circled one of the formations. Djibouti’s location and stability make it a strategic site for a US military base.