We invite you, as a UvA student studying abroad or an international student in Amsterdam, to participate in the inaugural UvA Study Abroad Photo Competition. A competition that celebrates diversity, creativity, and the spirit of exploration. And offers you a chance to win recognition and prizes!

We want to see the world through your lens. Could you reflect on your experience? Let your pictures show the essence of where you were, what you've discovered, whom you've met and what you did.

The competition, in short, and what you can win

You can participate either as a student based in Amsterdam studying abroad or as a student in Amsterdam from another university or college.

1. Submit your best photos online before Sunday, 18 August 2024.
2. Win a UvA Merchandise StoreExternal link gift card and bragging rights! We will announce the winners at the beginning of September.
3. View all winners and nominees at our UvA Study Abroad Fair 2024 gallery.

Purpose

This photo competition celebrates diversity, creativity, and the spirit of exploration. Its goal is to:

• Inspire you to create and share your best work. Challenge yourself to uncover the extraordinary or mundane, the amazing, the mind-boggling, the beautiful, the wholesome, the unicity, the solidarity. In short, everything that catches your eye and that you consider worthwhile to share with your fellow students and the world.
• Encourage you to reflect on your experience studying abroad.
• Allow your material to benefit future students. All submitted photos can be used as visuals by the UvA, on our websites or otherwise, to support information about studying abroad.

For your inspiration, here are a few suggestions

Like a Local

Embrace your second home! Let us glimpse into your cultural immersion – from forging friendships and bonding with host families to savouring local cuisines and embracing age-old traditions. Need some inspiration? Consider these prompts: Cherished Local Haunts, Homestay Adventures, Bonds of Friendship, Culinary Delights, and Festive Traditions.

Landmarks, cityscapes, and the university

Unveil the uniqueness of the city and university you're studying at! Delve into its distinctiveness compared to your hometown and reveal its captivating essence. Whether it's the urban skyline, natural landscapes, university buildings, campus, or dormitories, let your photographs tell the tale of exploration, showcasing the allure of urban and rural panoramas and university life.

Picture perfect

Capture the essence of perfection, and share your postcard-perfect snapshot! Let its photogenic quality show why it is significant in your journey abroad.

Who can enter?

• UvA students who have just finished or are currently studying abroad. 
• International students who are at the UvA in Amsterdam as part of their study abroad.   

Submission guidelines

Which photos are eligible?

• Photos taken during your study abroad experience.
• Photos taken by you yourself.
• Photos of you, preferably from a tripod. Please remember to credit the photographer.

Criteria on which your photos will be judged

We will judge entries on their artistic expression, creativity, originality and image quality. You will increase your chances if you look to:

• Think less like a tourist and more like a local, communicating what it is like to experience day-to-day events and activities. Depict spontaneous interactions that convey a realistic and positive feeling. We encourage you to submit authentic images. You can submit staged photos that show fellow students, but avoid pictures that appear overly posed or unnatural. 
• Catch the atmosphere of your study abroad with people you encounter on campus daily. 
• Ensure your photos represent a diverse image of the academic community. For example, include a mix of genders, cultural backgrounds, and ages, as well as various students, teachers, researchers, and other professionals.
• Capture people or situations up close. Perspective creates a sense of being part of the photo and makes emotions more visible. Pay attention to the number of people and objects in the photo. Too many people and objects can be distracting.

Sensitivity and inclusivity

Photography is a valuable tool for conveying an experience or a memory, but it is vital to recognise its power and share images ethically. Photos must be culturally appropriate and sensitive. Please avoid submitting images that exploit, disrespect, misrepresent, make false generalisations, or are inaccurate or stereotyped. 

Technical requirements

• Submit up to fifty (50) photos.
• Photos must be in their original digital file (no Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn or other (social) media photos)
• JPG, at least 1 MB with dpi 300 or higher. The image should be at least 1920x1080px in size.
• Preferably: in colour and landscape orientation. 
• Don't alter digitally beyond basic colour correction. Natural lighting is preferred. Avoid using flash when shooting indoors.
• Do not take photos that depict advertising, alcohol, drugs, or scantily clad individuals. The beach or a party provides a pleasant atmosphere, but most students prefer to catch a glimpse of the academic environment.

How do I submit photos?

1. Rename your photos to include your first name, surname and the photo's title.
2. Go to uva-study-abroad-photo-competition.wetransfer.comExternal link
3. Accept or reject cookies. 
4. To continue, please agree to the Terms of Service of WeTransfer.
5. Choose the '+' button next to 'Upload files' and drag or select your photos or folder. 
6. Fill in your UvA email address. Only photos submitted using your UvA email address are eligible.
7. You can leave 'Message' blank.
8. Choose the 'Transfer' button.
9. WeTransfer will ask you to confirm your email address. Fill in the code that they will send you. Check your spam if you don't see the code.

Use of your photos for informational purposes by the UvA

The UvA (BIS-StS) may use your photos to support information for UvA students considering studying abroad visually. This use is mainly – but not limited to – UvA websites, narrowcasting, posters, and other information channels and materials. If your photo is nominated, we will ask you to sign a release form for their use.

All submitted photos may be used royalty-free by UvA (BIS-StS). Local laws for taking pictures apply. Please take note of and follow all applicable rules.