Photo Contest and Exhibit

The annual Study Abroad Photo Contest is an opportunity for recently returned UNC Charlotte students to share their experiences abroad with the campus community, all through their photographs. The contest runs each spring, and students can submit photos to as many as five categories. Students are encouraged to write a description of their photo to share what was captured in that moment with the audience. The winning photographs (along with the top honorable mentions) will be displayed through a special page on our website and will be featured on UNC Charlotte social media accounts.

Contest Details

  • For the 2024 Photo Contest, students who studied abroad at any point during the previous calendar year (January 2023 through December 2023) are invited to participate
  • Registration programs are not eligible.
  • Students may submit one photo in each competing category
    • Defining Moment – Photos that capture a particularly significant moment of the experience abroad. This needs to be conveyed in the caption written to accompany the photo.
    • Portrait – People of the host country. These must not include the student.
    • Landscape – Photos of urban, rural, or natural settings representative of the host country.
    • Self-Portrait – Photos of the student during their study abroad program.
  • Students may also submit to a non-competing category: the Traveling 49ers, which demonstrates school pride abroad.
  • Winners are anonymously selected by a judging panel.
  • Prizes will be awarded in each competing category in the form of a gift card:
    • 1st place: $50
    • 2nd place: $25
    • 3rd place: $10

Exhibit Details

  • Winning photos and five honorable mentions will be featured on our website.
  • A special non-judged category featuring Traveling 49ers will be displayed on our website.
  • Winning photos will be displayed at our Awards Ceremony in April.