First Impressions... is an annual photovoice competition for all exchange students at UiT. It is a platform for communication about life in Northern Norway through the eyes of our international students. It aims to foster creativity, visibility and engagement among exchange students, as well as to promote inter-campus activities.
The History
The First Impressions collection originated from a collaboration between researchers at the CRAFT Research Lab and UiTs Center for Arctic Humanities in 2024. Their idea was to create an event that brought together international students and several campuses at UiT in a creative and engaging way. Photovoice was chosen as the format because it offered equal opportunities for participants, even for those without advanced photography skills, to convey powerful messages. The founders, Jorge Santos and Lilli Mittner, like many who later joined the initiative, came from places far - or very far - from Tromsø. We hope that, over time, the idea will take root and spread beyond our geographical boundaries.
The Support
The idea of organizing a competition arose as a way to engage and encourage participation. CRAFT-lab was the first sponsor of the prize awards. However, the most valuable contribution was not financial support but the time and dedication many individuals devoted to the initiative. Numerous fellow researchers participated as jury members to evaluate the submissions. From the very beginning, the International Section embraced the initiative and invited First Impressions and the foreign students to take part in the Polar Night celebration. The University chaplency and staff of the international departments in Harstad, Narvik, and now Alta, have been very supportive in facilitating the exhibition and transporting the collection. Thanks to them all!
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