Photography fuses art and journalism. In the best cases it not only provides us with a record of what we have seen, it helps us to see more deeply and with greater feeling. The annual Study Abroad Photo Contest provides you with an opportunity to combine an adventure abroad with serious picture-taking, and it provides a forum for formal recognition of your artistry.

Eligibility

The photo contest will be open to West Liberty University undergraduates studying abroad during the 2018-19 academic year. For purposes of the contest, the academic year comprises three semesters, beginning with fall semester 2018 and ending with summer semester 2019. Participants from both West Liberty-sponsored programs and non-West Liberty programs are welcome, as are students whose study or work abroad is funded by one of the WLU’s travel grants. For purposes of this competition, “study abroad” may include international internships or employment. It does not, however, include vacation travel abroad other than interim travel as part of a study abroad program.

Prizes

• First Prize
• Second Prize
• Study Abroad also selects a variable number of honorable mentions. The winners will be announced by late-fall semester.

Collaboration with The Trumpet

We are delighted to announce our collaboration with The Trumpet. Submissions to the Study Abroad Photo Contest will be considered for publication in a future issue. The Trumpet staff will contact you by email if they are interested in publishing your photo(s).

Number and Format of Submissions

If you meet the eligibility requirements you may submit up to four photographs. Each photo must be submitted online.

Video Contest: Study Abroad in 60 Seconds

We challenge you to best represent life and learning on a Study Abroad program abroad through the medium of video. Amaze us—but for no more than 60 seconds!

Prizes

Study Abroad will award two prizes for the student videos that best capture the relationship to the local culture of their destination and their learning experiences abroad.

• First Prize
• Second Prize

Contest Overview

We challenge you, our students, to best represent life and learning on a West Liberty-sponsored programs and non-West Liberty programs abroad. Any aspect of your time abroad may be considered for subject matter (e.g., student life, local culture, the classroom, history, community) but we would appreciate a reflection of your relationship to the local culture and your learning experiences there. We hope this will inspire you to be wildly creative—no genre is out of bounds, no format too unique. Animation, film, video, stop motion, photo montage, noir, horror, romance, abstract art, documentary. Amaze us. But for no more than 60 seconds!

Rules

Any West Liberty University student of the College may participate. The video can use any audio/visual multimedia (e.g., video, flash, animation, cell phone, slide show) as long as the work is created for this contest and runs for one minute or less. Winners must provide links to their entries uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo. Subject matter should be original, relevant to the category, and suitable for distribution. The best submissions will reflect your ability to express ideas and artfully convey a message about what being abroad means to you. Videos can be of any genre, format and aesthetic, ranging from dramatic to art to documentary.

How to Submit

• All entries must be in a digital format, uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo.
• Please email Felipe Rojas (felipe.rojas@westliberty.edu) with your name, student number, email address, and the link to your YouTube or Vimeo video.
• The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2019.

Creative Contest: Why We Travel

We sponsor a travel creative contest in recognition of all the great student writing influenced by time abroad. We accept works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, as well as any other creative works inspired by your study abroad experience.

2018-19 Contest

Study Abroad is pleased to announce the 1st annual “Why We Travel” Contest, a travel creative contest for West Liberty students who have completed or are completing a study abroad program. This contest was established in recognition of all the great student writing influenced by time abroad.

We accept works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, as well as any other creative works that your time abroad has inspired you to create. Experiences abroad are myriad, and we are seeking writing that reflects this. You are encouraged to submit a piece that best fits your experience and expresses how your time abroad shocked, delighted, awed, challenged, or changed you.

Submissions

Send submissions to Felipe Rojas at felipe.rojas@westliberty.edu.

Deadline

The deadline for the 2018-19 contest is October 31, 2019.

Prizes

Study Abroad will award two prizes.

• First Prize
• Second Prize

Collaboration with The Trumpet

We are delighted to announce our collaboration with The Trumpet. Submissions to the Study Abroad Writing Contest will be considered for publication in a future issue. The Trumpet staff will contact you by email if they are interested in publishing your piece.

Eligibility

To take part in this contest you must be a West Liberty undergraduate student. Your submission must be about an experience that took place at a location outside of the United States for a minimum duration of 3 weeks. All study abroad experiences through West Liberty University, one of its partner programs, or a travel grant are eligible.

Please follow all formatting rules (see below). Failure to do so will render your submission ineligible.

If you are unsure of your eligibility, please email Felipe Rojas.

Disclosure

By entering this contest, your submission becomes the property of West Liberty University, which will enjoy full rights of use and circulation (with attribution to the author). If you submit to this contest, it is understood that you have granted this right.

Formatting

Writing pieces should be submitted in Microsoft Word Document format or in rich-text format (RTF) and must not exceed 16 pages double-spaced in length. Please use standard text size (12 point) and standard margins (1 to 1.5 inches). Send in your submission by attaching the document to your submission email. In your email, please include the following:

1. “Travel Writing Contest” in the subject line
2. Your name, student ID, and year in the College
3. Your desired published name
4. Where and when you went abroad and for how long (please also indicate if it was through a WLU-sponsored program)
5. A title for and short explanation of your submission
6. If your piece has already been published elsewhere, please let us know.

For photo essay submissions:

• Photographs must be sent digitally at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
• Please also include detailed location information for each photograph.
• If you are having trouble sending in your photos, please contact Felipe Rojas (felipe.rojas@westliberty.edu).