Photos are powerful tools for storytelling. Vanderbilt Study Abroad invites study abroad participants to submit photos from their time abroad to our Photo Contest and to share with the Vanderbilt community.
The Fall 2025 Photo Contest is now open!
Study Abroad students as well as non-Study Abroad participants who completed other global immersion experiences during one of these terms are invited to submit photos:
- Fall 2024
- Spring 2025
- Maymester 2025
- Summer 2025
Photo submissions are accepted on a rolling basis until the final deadline of August 1, 2025.
Winners will receive a prize as well as see their photos displayed at the Study Abroad Fair and in the Student Life Center. Student winners will have the option to claim their photo print at the end of the academic year!
Submit photos here:
Past Winners
Congratulations to the Fall 2024 Vanderbilt Study Abroad Photo Contest winners! Their photos below creatively convey these students’ understanding and engagement with their host culture, connect artistic expression with learning, and provide new perspectives.
Check out the Vanderbilt Study Abroad Flickr album for Photo Contest entries and winning photos from previous years.
Bikes Rule the Roads
Chloe Whalen
DIS Copenhagen, Fall 2024
In Copenhagen, bikes rule the roads. My study abroad friends and I took advantage of a sunny Saturday to explore the city and on our way to a bakery for some heavenly pastries, we decided to have a little fun with the limits of our bike-riding abilities!
Kloofing
Ella Parsons
CIEE Open Campus (Copenhagen, Rome, Cape Town), Fall 2024
When I was studying abroad in Cape Town, a group of us decided to go kloofing (hiking and cliff jumping in pools of water along a river gorge). It was one of the most strenuous things I did abroad but very well worth it. The many jumps were exhilarating and some towered as high as 40 feet. The hiking and canopy were unlike anything I had done before and the adventure was fun and exciting. The views were also incredible with rugged mountains and lush foliage.
Last Day Headstand
Robert Diez
IFSA New Zealand: University of Auckland, Fall 2024
This is a photo of my last afternoon in New Zealand. My friend Emelia and I had been practicing our headstands all semester—something that started as an inside joke to bring us closer together but quickly turned into a weekly routine. As our final 24 hours loomed, a group of us took the ferry to Waiheke Island—famous for its gorgeous beaches and slightly pricey sandwiches (they’re worth it). The day was full of laughter and exploration, and as the sun set, Emelia and I looked at each other and knew exactly what we had to do. Feet in the air, head on the ground—final view in the upside down!
Back to the Present
Shafa Abbas
CIEE Open Campus (Copenhagen, Madrid, Cape Town), Fall 2024
This photo captures a quiet, early morning moment in Valencia. I had taken an overnight train with friends, arriving without sleep and regretting the decision to travel that weekend. But as I crossed the street, I stumbled upon this florist setting up her shop near the metro station. Her expert hands worked with such ease and rhythm, crafting bouquets with muscle memory honed over time. Watching her reminded me to pause and appreciate the beauty in the small, simple acts of daily life. Flower shops are a familiar sight near metro stations in Spain, but this one stood out—it brought me back to the present moment and transformed my entire day.
"Christmas Capital of the North"
Elisa Ajamian
DIS Copenhagen, Fall 2024
I took a train from Copenhagen, Denmark to Lübeck, Germany, known as the "Christmas Capital of the North." There were probably 10 different Christmas markets in the small town! The Christmas markets all over Europe were a huge highlight of my fall study abroad experience, but the German ones were my favorite. I loved the busyness, carolers, warm food and drinks in the chilly air and all the lights! You can get anything from bratwursts and mulled wine to wood carvings, fur clothing, and ornaments. Northern Europe really goes all out for Christmas, starting in early November, and it was such a blessing to experience the activities and joy of the season.
Camel Ride
Marques Watson
CASA Sevilla, Fall 2024
This photo was taken alongside the beach in Tangier, Morocco. Studying in Sevilla, which is located in the south of Spain, made traveling to Morocco super easy. After taking a short one-hour ferry ride, we arrived in Tangier, where we had the opportunity to ride camels! While it felt like riding a horse, our guide had the camels start walking without warning, leading to a mixture of shock, fear, and excitement.
Tradition & Modernity
Diego Lopez
CIEE Madrid: Engineering + Society, Fall 2024
During my semester abroad, I had the opportunity to travel all over Europe, immersing myself in a rich array of cultural experiences. On my final trip, I visited Paris, where I was lucky enough to capture a rare, quiet moment of the Eiffel Tower on a deserted street. The photo highlights not only the iconic French architecture but also the city’s vibrant blend of tradition and modernity. I’m honored that it was chosen as a winner of the Photo Contest, and I hope you enjoy it!