UCalgary Global Learning Photo Contest

Click here for a downloadable PDF of the contest rules and requirements. Note that entrants are deemed to have read, accepted & agreed to all rules.

The UCalgary International Photo Contest is open to all current UCalgary students and recent graduates (under 1 year). Faculty, staff, and alumni (of more than 1 year) are not eligible to enter.

All photos with an international theme are welcome for the contest. This includes, but is not restricted to: photos taken in any country, including Canada; during international programs run by UCalgary Global Learning, Haskayne, Schulich, or another university unit; or during any other international study, work, or travel period.

Only the photographer has the right to submit their photos to the contest. Entry forms must be signed by the photographer, and any prizes won will be awarded to them.

Photos may be black-and-white or colour. Some digital adjustments of photos are allowed for optimizing images. These are: curves, brightness, contrast, shadow and highlight levels, saturation, sharpening and noise reduction, and selected burning or shading. Any other techniques or filters, including combinations of images and compositional changes, will not be accepted.

It is allowed to submit up to 8 photos (maximum 2 per category) for the photo contest.

Your entry form and photos must all be received by the deadline, 3:00 p.m. on Monday February 3, 2025.

Please choose the category best fitting your photo when submitting. Photos will be judged for their originality, image, quality, international focus, caption/title, overall impression, and relevancy to the submission category.

Q: Do I need to have participated in a study abroad program to enter the contest?
A: No! Any current University of Calgary student is welcome to submit photos. Photos may be taken on a study abroad program, personal travels, your home country, or even within Canada. The photos you submit can also be taken at any time, whether you're currently abroad, a recent trip, or farther in the past.

Q: Do I have to submit a physical photo?
A: For the 3 main categories (#ActionShot, #Wholesome, and #TravelGoals) hard copy printed photos are required. This is because we will be showcasing these entries in the photo contest display on campus for public voting. For the #SelfieLove category, a hard copy is not required, as these photos will only be showcased digitally.

Q: I'm not currently in Calgary. How can I submit the hard copy of my photo? 
A: We recommend asking a friend to print the photo in Calgary and bring it to our office on your behalf. (We don't recommend mailing photos to our office due to possible damage or delays with mail delivery.) If you have any concerns about getting your photos to us in time, please email study.abroad@ucalgary.ca

Q: Why do I need to submit a digital photo file in the contest entry webform?
A: For the 3 main categories (#ActionShot, #Wholesome, and #TravelGoals) there will be a shortlist of photos shared online, so we need a JPG or PNG file of your photo for consideration. The digital file also helps us match it to your physical photo submission when we print frames for the photo display in MacHall. For the #SelfieLove category, this is an online-only submission, which is intended to be more accessible for students who may be located outside of Calgary and want to share their selfie while they are travelling.

Q: How many entries can I submit?
A: You can submit 2 photos for each category, to a maximum of 8 photos total. Photos must be relevant to their respective categories.

Q: I'm a Global Learning Content Creator or a Global Learning Ambassador. Can I enter this contest?
A: Absolutely! We encourage both past & current Content Creators and Ambassadors to enter the photo contest. You are welcome to submit photos you previously provided to our office, or brand-new photos if you wish.

Q: I'm a recent UCalgary graduate. Can I enter this contest?
A: If you graduated in the past year (February, June, or November 2024 convocation), you are welcome to submit photos. If you graduated more than 1 year ago, unfortunately you are not eligible to enter this contest. 

Q: I received the International Study Travel Grant or the Global Learning Award. Can I enter the photo contest to satisfy my promotional requirement?
A: In order to satisfy your full 2 hour requirement, you must submit at least 6 photos with an accompanying written description/testimonial of at least 5 sentences in the contest entry webform. Partial submissions may be eligible for 1 hour, at the discretion of the grant coordinators.

Q: What's the prize for winning?
A: It's a surprise! Prizes are provided through generous donation of our community sponsors. Gift cards & merchandise are common prizes, but it changes every year. The winning and shortlisted photos also get special features online, and may be included in permanent displays at our office or used in study abroad posters across campus!