The Rice Study Abroad Photography Contest is centered around students' learning outcomes for their time abroad. Each year, students who studied abroad during the previous calendar year are invited to enter. The contest aims to showcase photos that demonstrate an understanding of the country a student lived in, as well as integration into its culture beyond that which a casual traveler attains. This is a chance for our students to visually share their study abroad journey with the Rice community!
The winning photographs (first and second place from each category, plus Best in Show) will be on display for two months in the Ley Student Center in front of Rice Coffeehouse from March until graduation. The students who submitted these photos each receive a framed print of their photograph, with first place winners also receiving an Amazon gift card prize.
All photos must be culturally appropriate and sensitive.
#RiceOwlsAbroad
Photos that showcase Rice Owl pride through wearing the Rice Study Abroad T-shirt, Rice logo, or other demonstrations of school spirit while abroad.
First Place
Tumbaco, Ecuador
Student name: Calla Doh
College: Hanszen
Expected graduation year: 2027
Study abroad program: SIT IHP Climate Change
Term abroad: Fall 2025
Description: Wheat stalks sway softly in the wind. Cows munch languidly on the undulating grassy hills that stretch out as far as the eye can see. Unbeknownst to me, my friend took this photo of me sitting amidst a herd of cows on a permaculture farm called Atukpumba in the hills of Ecuador. In my hand is a mostly-eaten carrot that my teacher gave to me, freshly pulled out of the soil. Even on cloudy days I would proudly don this Rice hat across my time in Ecuador, Morocco, and Nepal as a reminder of my roots and commitment to sharing my learnings abroad with the Rice community and beyond. Twenty or so minutes before this photo was snapped, a farmer was leading us through winding forests and grassy open plains, sharing ecology concepts that I had learned just two semesters before in my ecology class at Rice. I remember feeling so giddy and excited to share these real-life examples of trees acting as windbreaks and shelter for small animals with my friends and former ecology classmates – Rice spirit never dies!
Second Place
Copenhagen, Denmark
Student name: Cathy Barr
College: Hanszen
Expected graduation year: 2027
Study abroad program: IDIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia
Term abroad: Summer 2025
Description: This photo was taken a few days after I arrived in Copenhagen, and though I was there for a summer program, it was more chilly than I thought! I’m glad I packed my Rice Business jacket not only to show off my Owl Pride, but also to keep me warm the first few weeks. It was so special to connect my Rice Business classes to my coursework abroad, especially being able to take a class on International Strategy that tied everything together. Being immersed in a new culture while learning about global business made the experience even more meaningful. I came back to Rice being able to talk about my new experiences and apply what I had learned.
Third Place
Vatican City
Student name: Michael Gill
College: Baker
Expected graduation year: 2026
Study abroad program: Georgia Tech Europe (Metz, France)
Term abroad: Spring 2025
Description: This photo captures a hilarious and humbling moment. While trying to navigate the massive interior of St. Peter’s, I accidentally joined a specific prayer mission group because I couldn't understand the Italian directions being given. One result was a stroke of luck: I ended up standing right in front of the altar of the basilica, closer to the high altar than most tourists ever get to go. Standing there in my Rice University gear, I certainly felt proud to be an owl at the heart of the iconic Vatican.
Postcard Perfect
Photos that are postcard quality and convey the student’s unique study abroad experience. Photos might be of landmarks, landscapes, people, and/or nature.
First Place
Ísafjörður, Iceland
Student name: Jahnavi Mahajan
College: Lovett
Expected graduation year: 2026
Study abroad program: SIT Iceland: Climate Change and the Arctic
Term abroad: Spring 2025
Description:
The Westfjords of Iceland stand like tall giants of the sea, land, and air all at once. With only about 7,000 people living in the entire region, each fjord, like this one at the bottom of which the whole town of Ísafjörður is built, is a source of beauty, danger, sustenance, and adventure for all of them.
One evening, when my host mom came back from work, we carried two of her family’s kayaks down to the half-icy sea that hugs the Westfjords and paddled out together. I had seen this fjord before from a plane, from a car, from the street, and even on the water, but this perspective took my breath away. Floating there at dusk, with the mountain and its reflection becoming one, everything felt suspended.
It was so quiet that I could hear my thoughts more clearly than I usually do. Here, I recognized that people do not simply coexist with nature. There is a complex symbiosis, a relationship that is not transactional, but rooted in love.
Second Place
Cusco Region, Peru
Student name: Neha Kohli
College: Lovett
Expected graduation year: 2026
Study abroad program: SIT in Cusco, Perú: Indigenous Peoples & Globalization
Term abroad: Spring 2025
Description: This photo captures Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Inca citadel perched high in Peru’s Andean mountains and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built during the reign of Pachacuti and later abandoned during the Spanish conquest, the site reflects the Inca’s sophisticated engineering, agricultural terraces, and deep relationship with the surrounding landscape. We visited during one of the first excursions of my SIT study abroad program, and it quickly became a defining moment of the semester. Arriving at dawn as the clouds lifted slowly from the valley, I saw more than a famous landmark. Experiencing Machu Picchu alongside coursework on Indigenous histories and contemporary Andean communities allowed me to approach the site with greater context and respect. Learning about the Inca civilization’s legacy while standing within its architecture made the experience both humbling and grounding. That morning set the tone for my time studying in the Andes. It marked the beginning of seeing places not simply as destinations, but as living landscapes shaped by history, culture, and ongoing Indigenous presence.
Third Place
Seoul, South Korea
Student name: Alyssa Tate
College: Sid Richardson
Expected graduation year: 2026
Study abroad program: CIEE Arts & Sciences in Seoul, Yonsei University
Term abroad: Fall 2025
Description: Walking around the Gyeongbokgung Palace one afternoon, we heard a commotion happening in the central area near the entrance. Unaware of the tradition, we watched in awe along with the rest of the palace goers. Once the ceremony ended, we searched online and found that everyday, except Tuesday, a traditional cultural event occurs, reenacting the royal guard changing procedure that occurred during the Joseon dynasty. There were so many 'Postcard Perfect' moments I have pictured while abroad, but what made this moment meaningful and worth sharing, was not just seeing the traditional ceremony, but experiencing it unexpectedly. It was not something we had planned, but something we encountered by being present. Moments like these reflected how studying abroad allowed me to experience what it is like to live in Seoul. It was a city where stumbling upon traditions, festivals, and community events, was a part of everyday life, and became a city that revealed a culture that, to me, went far beyond what could be experienced through traveling or tourism.
Culture and Tradition
Photos should provide a sense of the local culture, people, customs, and/or traditions.
First Place
Guizhou, China
Student name: Hannah Zhang
College: Lovett
Expected graduation year: 2026
Study abroad program: CET Shanghai
Term abroad: Fall 2025
Description:
This photo shows a group of local performers singing traditional folk songs in Zhenfeng, a small town in Guizhou province. Several men played string instruments while one kept rhythm with a drum, creating a simple yet beautiful tune. They wore traditional clothing associated with the Miao people, the local ethnic minority group. Towards the end, they even let some of my friends join in the performance!
I love this photo because it not only represents a culture of music and singing, but also a culture of public gatherings and camaraderie. I’ve noticed similar scenes across China. In Changsha, a busy street was lined with people playing string instruments, while elderly couples danced next to them. Nearby, some people played card games on plastic chairs, while others played badminton and jianzi (Chinese shuttlecock). In Huhhot, Inner Mongolia, the plaza around a pagoda was filled with music and laughter as older residents played Go and chatted. I like how public music turns ordinary spaces into shared spaces where locals can gather casually and enjoy life together. Studying abroad allowed me to see these moments not as performances for visitors, but as everyday expressions of community and joy.
Second Place
Seoul, South Korea
Student name: Alyssa Tate
College: Sid Richardson
Expected graduation year: 2026
Study abroad program: CIEE Arts & Sciences in Seoul, Yonsei University
Term abroad: Fall 2025
Description: The hanbok is traditional Korean clothing worn during the Joseon period, and wearing it at the palace is a popular activity for both locals and visitors. We knew we wanted to experience it ourselves so we choose go after the heat of summer but before winter fully set in. Pictured is one of my friends from Rice, a friend we met while studying abroad, and myself. We had a lot of fun being able to pick out our Hanboks, take photo's in a photobooth, and walk through the many sections of the Palace. Before studying abroad in Korea, I was not as aware of these traditions, but through studying art history there, I began to understand how deeply culture and history are embedded not only in architecture, artworks, and sculptures, but also in clothing. Wearing hanbok while walking through the palace allowed me to experience that history in a more personal way rather than just learning about it in a classroom. This moment, of us experiencing it first hand, showed me how studying abroad allowed me to engage directly with Korean culture and share that experience with my friends I made abroad.
Third Place
Mont Saint-Michel, France
Student name: Gabriel Berdach
College: Baker
Expected graduation year: 2027
Study abroad program: IES Abroad Barcelona
Term abroad: Fall 2025
Description: When most people think of France, they picture Paris, Marseille, or Nice - the grand cities that dominate travel itineraries. But I wanted something different. I wanted to understand the France that exists beyond the postcard capitals, the rural rhythms and quiet traditions that most visitors never slow down enough to find. Visiting the bay of Mont Saint-Michel offered exactly that. What struck me most wasn't the famous abbey rising from the horizon - it was this: a vast green salt marsh, sheep grazing lazily across the wetlands as they have for centuries. The local farmers here raise pré-salé lambs, a centuries-old Norman tradition where the animals graze on salt-kissed grasses, giving their meat a distinct and celebrated flavor deeply tied to the region's identity. Talking with locals there, I learned that this landscape is as much a part of their heritage as the medieval monument behind it. Studying abroad pushed me to seek out these quieter, more authentic connections — and this image captures exactly the rural French culture I was searching for.
The Global Campus
Photos that showcase learning and academic experiences in an international context. For example, students in the classroom, during internship or research, or during course-related excursion.
First Place
Comunidad de Huilloq, Cusco Region, Peru
Student name: Neha Kohli
College: Lovett
Expected graduation year: 2026
Study abroad program: SIT in Cusco, Perú: Indigenous Peoples & Globalization
Term abroad: Spring 2025
Description: This photo was taken during a field visit to the rural Andean community of Huilloq as part of my SIT Peru: Indigenous Peoples and Globalization program. During this visit, we learned directly from local women about traditional weaving practices, which are not only artistic expressions but also carry cultural, economic, and historical significance. Patterns woven into textiles often reflect family lineage, community identity, and relationships to the land. Rather than learning about these traditions from a textbook, we sat together on the grass as they demonstrated spinning and weaving techniques and explained the meanings behind their designs. The moment captured here reflects an exchange of knowledge across cultures, where listening and observation were just as important as asking questions. Experiences like this reshaped what “classroom learning” meant to me. Studying abroad in Peru involved engaging with communities, learning through conversation and shared time, and understanding how knowledge is lived and practiced daily. This moment shows how education can extend far beyond campus walls into relationships, landscapes, and traditions.
Second Place
Steinbach am Attersee, Austria
Student name: Richard Li
College: Jones
Expected graduation year: 2026
Study abroad program: IES - Vienna (Music Program)
Term abroad: Fall 2025
Description: As a music major, this is an image that has appear so many times in our classes and textbooks, so it's almost surreal for me to actually being there and seeing it with my own eyes. This adorable little cabin, located on the scenic Attersee (lake) in Northwestern Austria, is where the famed composer Gustav Mahler composed his second and third symphonies -- arguably two of the greatest symphonies ever written. I was able to go instead and play on the piano that Mahler himself used; and for me, that's nothing sort of a dream come true.
Third Place
Gangtey, Bhutan
Student name: Sophia Lannie
College: Sid Richardson
Expected graduation year: 2027
Study abroad program: School for Field Studies- Bhutan
Term abroad: Summer 2025
Description: The black-necked crane is sacred to the Himalayas, and they migrate to Bhutan from Tibet every year in the late autumn. Having studied abroad in the summer, we were not able to see any of these majestic birds, but we were able to visit the Black-Necked Crane Centre, which overlooks their usual resting spot in Phobjikha Valley. These birds are a vulnerable species, and their wetland habitats are very susceptible to destruction, so a lot of community effort goes into conservation. We visited the Centre because it provides a wonderful glimpse into these efforts as well as informative displays, but I truly loved the hanging display of 1,000 paper cranes, each folded by local school children.
Everyday Life
Photos that illustrate a typical day abroad. This may include daily commute, favorite study spot, local hangouts, etc. Share a “day-in-the-life” of a study abroad student.
First Place
Edinburgh, Scotland
Student name: Olivia Finch
College: Hanszen
Expected graduation year: 2026
Study abroad program: The University of Edinburgh
Term abroad: Spring 2025
Description: A typical day in my life abroad in Edinburgh always included a lengthy walk to explore the city. Especially on a weekend, I could not be stopped from walking for hours. I even wore my shoes down on the cobblestone streets so much that the soles have gaping holes in them! One of my favorite streets to walk down was Victoria’s Street. It is one of the more popular streets in Edinburgh, beloved by all for its colorful storefronts and history. I’d often stop on Victoria’s Street for a coffee or hot chocolate as I either ventured onward to study at the University of Edinburgh’s New College or to wander the streets of the Stockbridge neighborhood. By May, walking fifty minutes in one direction was not out of the ordinary for me. I found that walking was truly the best way to explore the city and all the hidden gems it had to offer.
Second Place
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Student name: Anna Lee
College: Brown
Expected graduation year: 2027
Study abroad program: IES Amsterdam
Term abroad: Fall 2025
Description: My daily life in Amsterdam consisted of biking through the city center, which was right next to my school. Living in the busy area of the city allowed me to feel integrated and became a part of my everyday routine. Walking past people commuting to work and seeing tourists walk around felt inspiring because it was happening all around me every day. This photo captures the simplicity and also the flourishing of my daily life. The transportation, community, and culture were easy to integrate into. By the first month, I felt as if I was not a tourist anymore but a local who participated in the city’s rhythm. I was so grateful to walk through the canals and grand architecture everyday.
Third Place
Oxford, UK
Student name: Miki Law
College: McMurtry
Expected graduation year: 2026
Study abroad program: University of Oxford (IFSA)
Term abroad: Fall 2025
Description: This photo captures a typical afternoon during my time abroad. When the weather finally turned warm and bright, my friends and I decided to go punting on the river. Punting is a centuries old Oxford tradition where you stand at the back of a flat boat and use a long pole to push along the riverbed. Because Oxford is surrounded by rivers, it is a familiar rhythm of student life. One of the most iconic traditions is to go punting after matriculation with your college family, marking the start of your time there. What feels special about this moment is how natural it became. At first, punting seemed like something you read about in brochures. But that day, it was simply what we chose to do. We balanced carefully, laughed when the pole got stuck in the mud, and took turns learning how to steer. Studying abroad went beyond seeing historic buildings or checking traditions off a list. It meant knowing how to hold the pole, where the current runs shallow, and which friends to text when the sun comes out. It all became part of my routine.