Penn Global Week Announcing the winners of the 2020-21 #WorldAtPenn Contest
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February 10, 2021
By
ISSS
The annual ISSS #WorldAtPenn Contest is an opportunity for us to showcase the vibrancy, creativity, and diverse range of perspectives offered by Penn's international student community. The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated challenges have prompted many international students to think about concepts such as home and identity in new ways. With this in mind, for this year's contest, we accepted photos, videos, and "tiny stories" (short essays of 100 words or fewer) in three categories: "Home," "My Penn Journey," and "This is Who I Am."
We are thrilled to announce the winners and honorable mentions of the 2020-21 #WorldAtPenn Contest, which were selected by a panel of judges on the basis of three criteria: 1) originality/creativity, 2) communication of culture, place, or identity, and 3) quality.
Members of the Penn community can vote on their favorite entries at the link below by February 24, after which we will announce the "People's Choice" winners. You can also view all of this year's entries in an interactive 3D gallery.
View the Interactive Gallery | Vote on your Favorites |
Winner |
"My Penn Journey"
Tao Xu, Weitzman'21
|
Honorable Mentions |
"Home"
Ifrah Ahmed, SP2'22
"My Penn Journey"
|
![Several people in masks walk down a stone or brick path, colorful umbrellas are suspended in the air](https://global.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/styles/801x534_pg_intimg_c_image/public/2021-02/Tao%20Xu.jpg?h=6a590c65&itok=5-kaDVIl)
Winner |
"Home"
Mami Oyamada, GSE'21
|
Honorable Mentions |
"My Penn Journey"
Tayeba Batool, SAS'24
"Home"
|
!["I am from Japan, but “home” has been one-story brick houses in Detroit, Michigan and Nashville, Tennessee. That day in fourth grade in Mr. Peterson’s class. As we trickled into the classroom, expecting our usual morning work, we noticed a stern look masking his typical goofy smile. My favorite teacher told us, “Write down why you are proud to be American”. I couldn’t figure it out. The date was September 11, 2001. It’s 2021, and I still don’t have an answer, as I sit at home in Japan, glued to what [...]"](https://global.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/styles/801x534_pg_intimg_c_image/public/2021-02/1.%20Mami%20Oyamada.png?h=0df657d7&itok=2P9Ohrnh)
Winner |
"This is Who I Am"
Zoe Yang, GSE'22
|
Honorable Mentions |
"My Penn Journey"
Xiaohan Gang, GSE'21
"Home"
|
!["This is Who I Am" Thumbnail](/sites/default/files/styles/801x534_pg_intimg_c_image/public/2021-02/thisiswhoiam.png?itok=2GuLJseG)
![UPEnn I'm on the Way Thumbnail](/sites/default/files/styles/801x534_pg_intimg_c_image/public/2021-02/%23WorldAtPenn_%202020-21_%20Xiaohan%20Gang%2C%20GSE%20%2721%200-52%20screenshot.png?itok=U86s91xW)
![Haoge Xu Thumbnail](/sites/default/files/styles/801x534_pg_intimg_c_image/public/2021-02/Two%20birds%20built%20a%20new%20family%20on%20my%20balcony%20during%20the%20COVID-19%20quarantine%200-11%20screenshot.png?h=82e0c67e&itok=8IprVi06)