Photo & Video Contest

Contestants may submit one photo per theme (maximum 2 entries):

∼ Architecture and Landscape ∼

Images that share the beauty of the place, a breathtaking landscape or cityscape, artful and interesting shots of buildings, monuments, landscape, architecture, nature, etc. Feel free to show yourself, friends, professors, etc. in your photo, or just focus on the scenery – it’s up to you! (see Photo/Video Waiver).

∼  Cultural Experiences Snapshots ∼

Photos of your engagement with with local culture, eating local cuisine, participating in cultural events and activities or holidays, interactions with the local community, relationships with locals, etc.

Photos can be taken on a camera or your smartphone. You may lightly edit your photos using photo editing software or filters but remember that less is more! Try to make your photos as natural as possible.

Images must have high quality resolution (ideally 300ppi – typically 2MB—2048×1536 pixels) and should be submitted in JPEG (.jpgs) or PNG (.png) format. Low-quality images may be disqualified.

Only one video entry will be accepted per contestant.

∼ A Day in the Life ∼

Instagram Reel or TikTok video highlighting your study abroad experience (engaging in the local culture, participating in program-related activities, showing a meaningful experience that influenced your life).

Remember to keep it educational and focused on your study abroad program – imagine a future student watching your video as they decide whether to participate in UCLA Study Abroad. What would you want to show them? How can you depict the diversity of your location? How would you motivate future participants to study abroad? (See Photo/Video Waiver).

Have fun and feel free to use trending audio, music, text to speech, voiceover, etc. To submit, download your video (publish as private) from your personal TikTok or Instagram account and submit through the submission form below. Videos should be 20-90 seconds and should be submitted as .mov or .mp4.

All UCLA students who participated in a study abroad program during the 2022-2023 academic year (Fall 22, Winter 23, Spring 23 and Summer 23) are eligible to participate. Participants must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.

• You may submit one photo under each theme and one video. You can choose to submit only photo(s), only video or both.
• Photos/video submitted for the contest must be taken while on your study abroad program.
• Confirm that you have obtained all necessary photo/video waivers and can provide them upon request.
• Please include a title, location, and a short caption/description for each image.
• Contestants are limited to only one prize.

Submissions may be shared on IEO’s social media accounts and website.

Link to Official Contest Rules (Terms & Conditions)

The deadline to enter the 2023 Contest is September 15, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. PT. Winners will be announced on October 4th, 2023.

• Photo: There will be one first prize for each theme and each first prize contestant will receive a $100 Amazon gift card.

• Video: There will only be one first prize for video and the winner will receive a $200 Amazon gift card.

Submissions may not include the image of people who are clearly visible (“other subjects”) unless you have first obtained photo/video waivers from all other subjects. You are responsible to maintain copies of such photo/video waivers. Photo/video waivers can be obtained here.

Do’s/Don’ts of Creating Content for the Study Abroad Photo & Video Contest

• Do show your personality and unique perspective as a UCLA student!
• Do have fun with your content and make it exciting.
• Do portray UCLA IEO and studying abroad in a positive light.
• Do use good judgment on what is appropriate for a university account. The focus should always be on studying abroad.
• Do let us know your social handles so we can tag you in your posts.
• Do think about what makes study abroad educational outside of the classroom.
• Don’t use content or music that contains explicit or offensive language.
• If other people appear clearly visible in your photos or videos, please have them sign the photo/video waiver.
• All photos/video should be original and taken by you.