The Wilkes study abroad program recently introduced Zoom In, a photo contest which encourages students studying abroad to enter photos from their trip for a chance to win a monetary award.

Photos can be entered in one of three categories: people, scenery and helping hands.

Students can enter up to two photos, each of which will be judged by the staff and committee of the Office of Study Abroad. Submitted photos may then be used for promotional purposes by the study abroad program.

Erica Acosta, who is in charge of Zoom In, said that a contest like this has been done before and had a great turnout.

“The name started this year, but the idea came from a colleague of mine who worked here about two years ago… It’s great for students to showcase amazing pictures they took while abroad,” she said.

The name Acosta chose reflects her goal for the contest.

“I want students to zoom in on their own experience, and also educate the whole campus about what they saw,” she explained.

“I want it to re­energize students and encourage them to study abroad again.”

Lisa Semetti, a senior political science, international studies and history major who just returned from Wales, plans on participating in the contest.

“We studied abroad. We had these amazing experiences that we were able to capture in photos, so why not try to share them?”

Senior sports management major Victoria Warne also plans on participating, hoping that if she wins the reward may pay for future travel. Warne also thinks the contest might help the program as a whole.

“Study abroad is a fairly small program, and Erica wants to make it bigger. Students will see the photos and it might get them interested,” she said.

The contest began Sept. 27 and will end Oct. 27. The winners will be announced during International Diversity week on Nov. 19.