Christchurch, New Zealand – American Universities International Programs, Ltd. (AUIP) announces its 2016 Photo Contest “Walk a Mile in Another’s Shoes” winners.

This year’s theme, “walk a mile in another’s shoes,” refers to trying to understand another’s perspective prior to passing judgment, and is derived from an 1895 poem written by Mary T. Lathrap titled Judge Softly:

Just walk a mile in his moccasins
before you abuse, criticize and accuse.
If just for one hour, you could find a way
to see through his eyes, instead of your own muse.
(full text below)

A survivor of the American Civil War, Lathrap openly sympathized with people not of her race or socio-economic standing. Taking her example as inspiration, AUIP encouraged study abroad program alumni to submit photos using the hashtag #AUIPWalkAMile in these two categories:

1. In Another’s Shoes (people)
2. Walk a Mile (places)

The photo contest was open to all AUIP program alumni as well as AUIP university faculty and staff who had attended AUIP programs. Photo submissions were the entrant’s original work and must have been taken abroad during an AUIP program in Antarctica, Australia, Fiji, or New Zealand.

Prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place, along with a People’s Choice prize in each category.

First Place
Prize: $250 Travel Voucher sponsored by STA Travel, Dolphin Encounter, and Stonestreet Coaches
Winners:

In Another’s Shoes

“Abel Tasman hike” by Morgan Mulé, traveling on the New Zealand: Sustaining Humans and their Environment program in Summer 2016, from the University of Florida

Walk A Mile

“For The Love of Penguins” by Amanda Bluhm, traveling on the Antarctica: Human Impacts on a Fragile Ecosystem program in 2015, from Clemson University

Second Place
Prize: GoPro Hero Session Camera sponsored by Lady Elliot Island and Pinewood Lodge
Winners:

In Another’s Shoes

Remarkable Friends in Remarkable Places” by Brandon Swanzer, traveling on the New Zealand Sustainability program in 2015, from The Ohio State University

Walk A Mile

“Otago Peninsula” by Michala Garrison, via an Instagram submission from @heymickie_, traveling on the New Zealand Sustainability program in 2015, from Frostburg State
University

Third Place
Prize: PRYNT Phone Case sponsored by Lychee Tree Holiday Apartments and DownUnder FarmStays
Winners:

In Another’s Shoes

“Singing with the Ducklings” by Kelly McCone, traveling on the New Zealand Sustainability program in 2015, from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Walk A Mile

“Would rather be walking a mile across this bridge in the most beautiful place in the world (Mount Aspiring National Park)” by Sarah Coleman, traveling on the New Zealand: Sustaining
Humans and their Environment program in 2015-2016, from the University of Florida

People’s Choice Award
Prize: America the Beautiful National Parks Pass sponsored by Hospitality Plus NZ
Winners:

In Another’s Shoes

“Sisters in the Antarctic” by Madeline Houser, traveling on the Antarctica Sustainability program in 2015, from The Ohio State University

Walk A Mile

“Sunrise at Cape Tribulation” by Mariah De Los Santos, traveling on the Baylor in Australia program in 2016, from Baylor University

Thank you to all of the sponsors for the AUIP 2016 Photo Contest!

The original title of the poem was Judge Softly, later titled Walk a Mile in His Moccasins.

Pray, don’t find fault with the man that limps,
or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the moccasins he wears,
or stumbled beneath the same load.

There may be tears in his soles that hurt
though hidden away from view.
The burden he bears placed on your back
may cause you to stumble and fall, too.

Don’t sneer at the man who is down today
unless you have felt the same blow
that caused his fall or felt the shame
that only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows
that were his, unknown to you in the same way,
may cause you to stagger and fall, too.

Don’t be too harsh with the man that sins.
or pelt him with words, or stone, or disdain.
Unless you are sure you have no sins of your own,
and it’s only wisdom and love that your heart contains.

For you know if the tempter’s voice
should whisper as soft to you,
as it did to him when he went astray,
it might cause you to falter, too.

Just walk a mile in his moccasins
before you abuse, criticize and accuse.
If just for one hour, you could find a way
to see through his eyes, instead of your own muse.

I believe you’d be surprised to see
that you’ve been blind and narrow minded, even unkind.
There are people on reservations and in the ghettos
who have so little hope, and too much worry on their minds.

Brother, there but for the grace of God go you and I.
Just for a moment, slip into his mind and traditions
and see the world through his spirit and eyes
before you cast a stone or falsely judge his conditions.

Remember to walk a mile in his moccasins
and remember the lessons of humanity taught to you by your elders.
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave
in other people’s lives, our kindnesses and generosity.

Take the time to walk a mile in his moccasins.