Check out winning images from the 2024 Study Abroad Photo Contest submitted by Vanderbilt students studying, researching and engaging around the globe!
Students—interested in studying abroad for Fall 2025? Learn more and find application deadlines at http://vu.edu/9rmve
Robert Diez in New Zealand
Maddie Guyton in Thailand “My friend and I visited an elephant sanctuary at Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai during our trip to Thailand. We made banana treats for the elephants and hand-fed them, as shown in this photo. Afterward, we gave the elephants mud baths!”
Gina Yu in Spain “This project was completed throughout Europe in dozens of museums and galleries in the winter of 2023. I traveled to three countries: Spain, France, and Switzerland. I explored the intersection between art, neuroscience, and society, currently in writing for over 100 pages. This moment was one of my favorites during my abroad experience. At Museu Nacional d’Art De Catalunya, Barcelona. One young artist stood out amidst a busy stream of bumbling tourists–painting and maintaining a posture of composure and intention.”
Isabella Bautista in Guatemala “Pictured here is a tuk-tuk — the Guatemalan version of a taxi — on a street in San Juan La Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala. San Juan is known for its artisan shops, where locals sell handmade crafts. In this photograph, tourists and natives alike browse the shops on a street shaded by colorful umbrellas and lined by motorcycles, one of the most highly preferred modes of transportation in Guatemala.”
Shafa Abbas in Spain
Elisa Ajamian in Denmark
Lina Migliore in Morocco “This photo is from the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa marketplace in Marrakech, Morocco, during the serene moments of sundown. Amidst the vibrant chaos of the souq, where vendors call out their wares, children’s laughter echoes, and an array of sounds fill the air, this photograph freezes a peaceful and beautiful scene. This snapshot reflects a common theme in Morocco—a country brimming with vibrant energy and diverse experiences. Yet, if you take a moment to look, you’ll always find pockets of tranquility and beauty amid the lively hustle.”
Solomon Tolson in New Zealand
Zachary Gapusan in Egypt “A dream come true: Checking off a major bucket list item with this awe-inspiring view of the Great Pyramids of Giza! Standing before these ancient marvels, I was in absolute awe of their grandeur and timeless beauty. The experience of seeing these colossal structures up close is surreal, and I feel incredibly grateful to witness such a magnificent piece of history. This moment, surrounded by the ancient sands of Egypt and the bleats of camels, is one I’ll cherish forever!”
Lexi Radzyminski in Peru “6:54 am. Sharing the thrill of riding dune buggies and sand boarding for the first time with my classmates who have now become some of my great friends. This adventure immediately followed a breathtaking sunrise over the Huacachina desert during one of our Maymester excursions to the Ica, a city in southern Peru.”
Layne Foeder in Denmark “A swan poses in the Stadsgraven canal. The mute swan is the national bird of Denmark and became a protected species in 1926. You may recognize this charismatic waterfowl from its lead role in Danish poet and author Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Ugly Duckling.'”
Katie Bishop in Scotland “During my time abroad, some fellow exchange students and I went on many hikes in the Scottish Highlands! I took this photo after an early morning hike up the ‘Old Man of Storr,’ a famous location on the Isle of Skye and a Scottish legend. The tall peaks in the photo are said to be the fingers of an ancient giant covered in earth. Learning about the Gaelic and Norse legends that have enriched Scotland’s culture through my IFSA program and study abroad classes were some of my favorite aspects of my study abroad experience!”
Ella Parsons in South Africa
Chloe Whalen in Denmark
Ankit Janamanchi in Japan “On a day trip to Osaka, my fellow scholars and I visited the grand Osaka Castle in the city’s center. We probably sat outside the building for over an hour, taking in the breathtaking views. The entire time, I searched for the best angle to capture the castle and surrounding flora. As I walked back to my friends from a vending machine, this gap in the trees came into view.”
Diego Lopez in France
