About the participants



Prior to professor Dennis Chamberlin's current role as a teacher he spent many years wandering around Eastern Europe with his camera for a number of clients including National Geographic and The New York Times Magazine. When the group landed in Gdańsk in May it felt like a homecoming. Having lived in Sopot for nearly 15 years he often runs into old friends when walking down Monte Cassino street or while on a morning run along the beach.

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Armed with a passion for photography, Karuna Ang has traveled across the Atlantic Ocean and arrived in Gdańsk. When she arrived at the airport people around her were speaking in an unfamiliar language and everything around her was new. For the next few days she spent time observing a culture that was new for her. Many people in the United States and in Europe say that they find the cultures in the far east countries exotic. Karuna finds the culture in the west just as interesting.

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Kate Barber is a senior in journalism at Iowa State University. She has had experience with writing through high school and in her sophomore year of college, decided to switch from being a design major to journalism. After taking a few courses in writing journalism and a design background, she decided to try her hand at photojournalism in the spring of 2010. During the spring semester, she took Professor Chamberlin's Journalism 310 class, an introduction to photojournalism. Not long into the course, she decided to continue her studies on the topic by studying abroad in Poland with Professor Chamberlin. Poland Through a Lens was definitely an experience, allowing her to not only expand her knowledge of photography but also to learn about a new culture and see a different part of the world. However, this trip not only gave Kate an insight to a new culture, but it also allowed her to get a better grasp at a decent chunk of her own heritage.
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Jessica Chesher is a senior in Advertising and Spanish at Iowa State
University. She just became interested in digital photography in the
spring semester and after taking JLMC 310 Fundamentals of
Photojournalism with Professor Chamberlin she became much more
interested in photography and telling stories through pictures. She
made her first trip abroad last summer to Spain and really enjoyed
being able to explore the differences of the two European countries.
She's always had an interest in language and learning new words and
phrases in Polish from the many people she met in Poland was her
favorite part of the trip.
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Hannah Hunt is a senior in Computer Science and Art & Design at Iowa State University. Growing up in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota, she has long had an interest in digital media. She picked up her first digital camera in 2004 and used it to provide content for various websites. Since then she has developed a couple of her own websites and is going to be working for General Mills this summer on their international web team.

Hannah is no stranger to the adventure of travel. With a grandfather and father in the aviation field, she has had many opportunities to explore the world, from the jungles of Guatemala to the metropolis of London. Entering college, she desired a deeper travel experience through study abroad; rather than surface tourism, she wanted an actual immersion into the culture and day to day life of citizens. Poland through a Lens was a perfect combination of that immersion, a good schedule, and a subject she is passionate about.
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Pantelis Korovilas is a Senior in Liberal Studies and holds a two-year technical degree in Graphic Design. He is the Graphic Design and Marketing Assistant for ISU Dining and the Department of Residence and a Community Advisor in Buchanan Hall. Throughout his time at Iowa State he has worked with various organizations promoting sustainability and social justice at the local, state, and national levels. He hopes to continue with a career in public service or entrepreneurship, merging photography, graphic arts, and social issues. Though Poland left him with many memorable experiences, Pantelis was particularly fond of the cities of Krakow and Gdansk, as well as the hospitality of the locals.

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Ashley Loneman is a senior in Journalism and Mass Communication at Iowa State University. Growing up, she never knew exactly what she wanted to be but always knew she wanted to travel. After entering college, she decided journalism would be a career that could help her with that dream. She studied abroad in England for six months in 2008 and always looked for a reason to go back to Europe. Poland Through a Lens was a perfect opportunity for her to combine her love for traveling, photography and writing. One of her favorite experiences on the trip was living with her host family and learning first-hand what Polish family life was like.
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On the border between Poland and Slovakia with the Pieniny Mountains in the background.