The competition, in short, and what you can win

You can participate as a student based in Amsterdam who has studied abroad during the academic year 2024-2025.

Submit your photos or videos online by Monday, 6 October 2025.
Win an open gift card and bragging rights!
A total of three prizes are available. An expert UvA panel will award a prize for the best photo. In addition, followers of the UvA on Instagram can vote for their favourite photo and video.

For your inspiration, here are a few suggestions

What content should you look for? The beach or a party provides a pleasant atmosphere. However, this competition aims explicitly to catch a glimpse of the academic qualities of your experience studying abroad. So always look to include some 'educational element'. And ask yourself, compared to your life in Amsterdam: what's different, surprising, or inspiring?

Local student life.

Show how you truly lived like a local student - from study sessions with your fellow students to exploring traditional life beyond the classroom. Like your go-to study café, visiting a classmate's home, or cultural traditions tied to university life.

The uni and the city.

Highlight what sets your host university and city apart - be it the campus architecture, the dining hall, your student dorm, or the view from your library window.

Academic adventure.

Share content that visually exemplifies your academic adventure abroad - your favourite reading spot, a memorable field trip, or a magical moment on campus.

Who can enter?

UvA students who have studied abroad in the academic year 2024-2025.

StS - BIS - Study Abroad Photo Comp_winning photo 2024_Gator

Submission guidelines

Which photos and videos are eligible?

Only photos in landscape orientation or videos, preferably vertical, taken during your study abroad in the Academic Year 2024-2025.
Taken by you, you are the author.
If there are people in your photo or video, they have permitted publication.
Content for which you have publishing rights.
Content not previously submitted in UvA competitions or contests.

Sensitivity and inclusivity

Sharing content is a valuable tool for conveying an experience or a memory, but it is vital to recognise its power and share ethically. Photos or videos must be culturally appropriate and sensitive. Please avoid submitting content that exploits, disrespects, misrepresents, makes false generalisations, or is inaccurate or stereotyped. Do not take photos or videos that depict advertising, alcohol, drugs, or scantily clad individuals.

Guidelines for your photos

You can submit up to five (5) photos.
Submit photos in their original digital file format and resolution. No WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, or other social media photos.
JPG, at least 1 MB with a dpi of 300 or higher. The image should be at least 1920 x 1080 pixels in size.
Please ensure your photos are in colour and landscape orientation.
Don't alter digitally (no filters, etc.). We prefer natural lighting; avoid using flash when shooting indoors.

Guidelines for your videos

You can submit one or two (2) videos.
Submit videos in their original digital file format and resolution. No WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, or other social media videos.
Film vertically. Hold your phone upright – that's how we scroll!
Keep it brief, ideally under 1 minute. Shorter is totally fine. Think snackable content.
Use free editing tools. Try CapCut, Canva, or edit straight in Instagram or TikTok.
The more shots, the better. Mix it up to make your video more fun and dynamic. Think:
- Close-ups and wide shots.
- Movement (walking, cycling, on the metro)
- Transitions or timelapse.
Use the right fonts. Stick to System or Utopia fonts – or anything similar – to match the UvA style.
Make sure your audio's clear (or add subtitles). If you're speaking in the video, ensure that the audio is clear and audible. Adding subtitles is smart and inclusive.
Show your personality. Humour, spontaneity or a quirky twist? Yes please. That's what makes your video feel human and fun to watch.

How do you submit your content?

Give each of your files a clear name: [first name last name]_[location/title of your content]. For instance: "sarah smith_galway dining hall2".
Go to https://www.dropbox.com/request/ni6Ar4mCx9i2x7Jvqizl
Choose the 'Add files' button, and select the separate files (not a folder) you want to upload.
Fill in your first and last name, and UvA email address. Do not use your private email address, so we can confirm you are a current UvA student. Content submitted via another email address will not be eligible.
Choose the 'Upload' button.
You will then see a confirmation on screen. Dropbox will not send you an additional confirmation by email.

Vote for your favourite photos and videos!

In total, four prizes will be awarded – two prizes each for photos and videos. An expert UvA panel will award an image and a video, and students will do the same.

You'll be able to vote on your favourite photo and video on one of the UvA Instagram channels. The image chosen by the UvA panel will be revealed during an award ceremony at the end of the SAM25 - the UvA Study Abroad Month 2025.

Use of your photos for informational purposes by the UvA

The UvA (BIS-StS) may use your photo or video content 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 content 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 regarding the taking of pictures and videos apply. Please take note of and follow all applicable rules and regulations.