Study Abroad 23-24 Photo Contest Winner #
South Bend MSW Student, Christopher Bontrager, won the Study Abroad 23-24 Photo Contest! His picture, Steps Towards Renewal, taken in Croatia, won the Students Abroad first-place prize!
What inspired you to take the photo? #
During my time in Croatia, we worked with an organization called PRONI, which coordinated with local high school volunteers to beautify the riverwalk along the Danube River near Vukovar. The photo I took captured these students painting stairs that had been overgrown with weeds. It was moving to see them giving their time and energy to make their community a better place. Their dedication inspired me, and I wanted to capture that moment to reflect on how people, especially the youth, can come together to create positive change.
Tell me about your study abroad experience? #
My study abroad experience in Croatia was life-changing. We partnered with several local organizations, many of which worked with communities affected by the Croatian War of Independence. Though the war ended over 30 years ago, its effects are still felt. The organizations were focused on bridging the Serbian and Croatian communities that had been divided by the war. Witnessing how they’ve been working towards healing and reconciliation was incredibly powerful.
What did you do during study abroad? #
In addition to working on projects like beautifying the riverwalk with local high school volunteers, we collaborated with organizations that addressed the long-term impacts of the war. A lot of our work focused on fostering dialogue between Croatian and Serbian communities, helping them rebuild both physically and emotionally. It was inspiring to see these communities slowly come together after so much pain and division.
How did this experience impact you? #
As a veteran, it was a unique and emotional experience to see the other side of war. While I’ve seen the impact of war on military members, this was the first time I truly saw how war devastates civilian populations. Seeing Croats and Serbs, who were once on opposite sides of the conflict, working side by side to rebuild their communities was incredibly impactful. It shifted my perspective, deepening my understanding of the lasting effects of war and the importance of reconciliation.
This was my first real experience working in a social work capacity, and it gave me a much broader view of what the field can offer. It showed me that social work isn’t just about addressing individual issues but can also be about helping communities heal on a larger scale, even across cultural and historical divides. It opened my eyes to the global potential of social work and how the skills I’m developing can be applied in many different contexts around the world.
What did you take away from your study abroad experience? #
The biggest takeaway from my study abroad experience was the power of community and collaboration in the healing process. It was inspiring to see people come together, even after so much division, to rebuild their communities. It reinforced my belief that social work can play a vital role in fostering reconciliation and rebuilding trust, and it solidified my passion for pursuing social work initiatives both locally and globally.
All photo’s provided by Christopher Bontrager, future MSW!