Submissions for our Fall 2023 Snapshot Contest are open now through Sunday, March 3rd at 11:59pm CST!

Study Abroad Through the Student Lens

Twice per year, IES Abroad runs the Snapshot Contest—a refreshing look at the world around us through the unique lens of our students! We accept submissions in the form of photos and/or vertical videos (think TikTok or Instagram Reels) taken by students during their time abroad. Five submissions from each contest win a cash prize!

students scuba diving in Australia with a big fish
a student's silhouette during sunset in Santiago
two students having a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower

About the Contest

The IES Abroad Snapshot Contest was started in 2010 as a way to see and share authentic study abroad experiences directly from the source—our students.

IES Abroad runs the Snapshot Contest twice per year and collects submissions that fit into categories such as Day in the Life, Putting the 'Study' in Study Abroad, and Vertical Video. Of the submissions received, five go on to win a cash prize!

When the contest first began, we used Facebook as our main voting platform and branded the contest as the IES Abroad "Photo Contest." Since 2010, though, the scope of social media and the way students share their stories has changed. To keep up with the changing landscape, we moved the contest to Instagram to celebrate the contest's 10th anniversary in 2020. Then in 2022, we rebranded the contest to the IES Abroad "Snapshot Contest" and widened our lens to include both photos and vertical videos to make room for the growing popularity of apps like TikTok and Instagram Reels.

Past Snapshot Contests have received 800+ photo/video submissions and brought in 12,000+ votes on social media. All submissions are considered for use in future IES Abroad website content, social media posts, and print materials!

How It Works

Submission Period
To be considered for the initial review, you must enter the contest before the deadline. Be sure your submissions meet all the requirements!
Enter Now
Initial Review
IES Abroad staff review student submissions and select those with the best composition and/or aesthetic response as Semi-Finalists.
See Our Categories
Leadership Selects Finalists
Our Senior Associate Vice President of Marketing and Art Director review all Semi-Finalists and choose their top submissions.
View Contest Rules
Voting Opens
All Finalist submissions chosen by IES Abroad leadership will be shared to our Instagram page for a one-week vote by the public.
Visit Our Instagram
Winners Named!
The five submissions with the most "likes" on Instagram at the end of the one-week voting period will win the Snapshot Contest and cash prize!
See Past Winners

Rules

Enter the Snapshot Contest

student standing holding camera and looking up at sky