"We are all connected to everyone and everything in the universe. Therefore, everything one does as an individual affects the whole. All thoughts, words, images, prayers, blessings, and deeds are listened to by all that is," said Dr. Serge Kahili King, author, humanitarian and teacher.
Vice-President of the International Club (I-Club) Nattawan Junboota '10 offered the above quote to express the nature of the club's "Connected" photo exhibition, which will be unveiled today.
Co-President of I-Club Claire Leblanc '10 said that the exhibition features "photographs from the United States and around the world that were submitted by students, staff, and faculty members."
The exhibition captures the Bowdoin community's immense wealth of experiences, as it is composed of over 200 photographs.
"We [tried] to gather pictures of people's 'happy places,' essentially photos that can always make you smile or inspire a warm feeling," said Co-President Octavian Neamtu '12.
Leblanc said that through "Connected," I-Club aims to facilitate "cultural exchange" in the Bowdoin community.
"We have all seen many places in the world that make us experience intense feelings...more often than not, someone else will relate," she said.
"No matter who we are, where we live, where we've been, or what we like to do, we are all human beings living on planet Earth, therefore we are connected," added Junboota.
The exhibition is the culmination of the club's month-long effort to collect photos from throughout the community.
Last year, I-Club held an exhibition entitled "Home" that only included work from club members.
Junboota said, "This semester we wanted to try something different and extend the invitation campus wide. We asked dining hall and student activities staff, as well as professors."
I-Club's photo exhibitions serve the club's aim of promoting its visibility on campus, encouraging students to join, and bringing together the Bowdoin community.
Leblanc emphasized that I-Club "is not only for international students, but also for American students who enjoy discovering more about cultures other than their own."
I-Club is "always trying to be as active as we can," said Neamtu. Most recently, the club sponsored a fall break trip to Boston for thirty-six Bowdoin students.
Additionally, the club hosts weekly dinners in Thorne's Hutchinson Room, during which different international members of the community are invited to speak. The spring International Festival is a yearly event, highlighting the multiculturalism on campus.
"We really hope to foster a relaxed and welcoming community within our club," said Leblanc.
Through this exhibit and other efforts, I-Club is working to bring the unifying threads of the College to the foreground of student life.
"We try to show people how everyone is connected in their experiences," said Neamtu.
"We hope that students, faculty, staff and parents will be able to discover, recognize and imagine just how much our personal experiences and 'happy places' are, essentially, connected," added Leblanc.
The exhibition will be on display in Morrell Lounge of Smith Union until Wednesday, November 4.