TransitionsAbroad.com Home. Transitions Abroad founded 1977.  
Travel Work Living Teach Intern Volunteer Study Language High School
   ► Writer's Guidelines  ► Student Travel Writing Contest

Student Travel Writing Contest with Scholarships

( Archive: Please note that we will resume our Student Writing Contest in the future. )

A tour of the Alhambra in Grenada, Spain
Photo by Heather Olafsson at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.
From The Who What Where Why When of Living Abroad in Spain.

Congratulations to all Student Travel Writing Contest Winners!
We were pleased and excited to receive many fine submissions during the past year from students or recently graduated students, many of which were of exceptionally high quality and reflected great enthusiasm about their experiences abroad. Ranking the submissions in order proved difficult. Ultimately, we made our decision based upon a combination of the information included in the essay, inspirational elements, and who best followed the detailed guidelines for the contest — all else being equal.

We were struck this year by the willingness and enthusiasm of authors to provide and generously share important advice and reflections to future study abroad participants based upon their personal experience, for which all clearly did thorough research and planning.

1st
Living in Spain as a student The Who What Where Why When of Living Abroad in Spain by Heather Olafsson
2nd
Archeology Field Schools Abroad How to Pick an Archaeological Field School Abroad by Kobi Weaver
3rd (tie)
Teaching English in Chile A Successful Semester Teaching English in Chile by Alison Climes
3rd (tie)
Internship in Geneva The Quick and Dirty Guide to Interning in Geneva by Britnae Purdy
Finalist
Select the right student courses abroad How To Select the Right Courses Abroad: A Semester in Santiago, Chile by Stephane Alexandre
Finalist
Learn a language abroad as a student How to Persevere and Learn Languages While Abroad by Ema Barnes
Finalist
Complete your college degree abroad Why Complete Your Degree Abroad? Save Your Money for More Adventures by Sarah Crocco
Finalist
Intern as a student in Athens An American Student Intern in Athens: Exploring a Great City by Stephanie Ferrarie
Finalist
A study abroad internship in Scotland Internship Abroad in Stirling Castle, Scotland by Heidi Lindsley
Finalist
Living and study abroad in Scotland A Student Guide to Living and Study Abroad in Scotland by Lex Voytek

Congratulations to all 2015 Student Travel Writing Contest Winners!
1st
Study abroad in Rome, Trastevere

How to Calmly Cope with the Study Abroad Blues: Advice from a Student in Rome by Daniel King

2nd (tie)
How to Fund Study Abroad Broke and in College: How to Fund Your Study Abroad by Ashleigh Bugg
2nd (tie)
Perugia, Italy Study Abroad in Perugia, Italy: A Student's Guide to Cultural Immersion in Europe by Katie Tozer
3rd (tie)
Study abroad in London Study Abroad in London: Planning and Living An Odyssey by Heather Robinette
3rd (tie)
Study abroad in Nice, France A Year Abroad in Nice, France on a Full Scholarship by Sarena Tien
Finalist
Blue Mosque in Istanbul A Semester in Istanbul, Turkey by Jamie Balard
Finalist
Student budget guide to Europe The Student Guide to an Affordable Year in Europe by Sarah Stites

2014 Student Travel Writing Contest Winners!
1st
Dharamsala host family

How to Select the Right International Program: 10 Key Steps by Rachel Rueckert

2nd (tie)
Floating market in Thailand Studying Thai in Thailand: Learn a New Language and Live for a Year Abroad by Nathan Edgerton
2nd (tie)
Study language abroad in Japan Why You Should Choose a Program with a House Share Option: A Semester of Language Learning in Japan by Amber Bunnell
3rd (tie)
Volunteer in Zambia as Student Volunteer Service in Zambia: A Little Goes a Long Way by Marissa Sutera
3rd (tie)
Study as undergraduate in Thailand Study Abroad in Thailand by Mary Ware
3rd (tie)
Freiburg, Germany Study Abroad in Freiburg, Germany: Discover the Green Lifestyle in the Eco-Capital by Caroline Ludwig
Finalist
View of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil A Year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: The Emotional Stages of Study Abroad by Marie Lefebvre

2013 Student Travel Writing Contest Winners
1st
Graduate study in Asia

How and Why to Study for a Master�s Degree in Southeast Asia by Nathan Edgerton

2nd
Study abroad in Granada, Spain Speaking in Tongues: Learning Languages and Studying Abroad in Granada, Spain by Anna Rose Maine
3rd
Teach English in Spain as a Student Teach English Abroad: That Is, If You Want To by Emily Kellner
Finalist
Study Spanish in Granada How and Why to Learn Spanish in Granada, Spain by Izzy Hendry
Finalist
Study abroad in Oxford, England A Semester Studying at Oxford with the OPUS Program by Mickey Jackson
Finalist
Costa Rica hot springs Volunteering and Travel in Costa Rica: Experience the Beauty by Shannon Kelly
Finalist
 Buon Retiro park in Madrid Life on an Internship Abroad in Madrid: How I Learned to Love the City by Shannon Kiang
Finalist
Living in Cordoba, Argentina Living Abroad in Cordoba, Argentina: La Vida Tranquila by Mary MacKenty
Finalist
Bologna, Italy How to Make Your Study Abroad Program Decision by Gina Mussio
Finalist
Living and study in Uruguay Living, Studying, and Volunteering in Montevideo, Uruguay by Lindsay Stewart

2012 Student Travel Writing Contest Winners
1st
Living as Student in China

A Foreigner in the Middle Kingdom: Living, Working, and Studying in China by Maggie Simons

2nd (tie)
Life in China A Guide to Life and Study in China: Go Slowly by Heather Burge
2nd (tie)
Living in Vietnam Studying and Living Abroad in Vietnam by Whitney Cox
2nd (tie)
Paris as a Student

Living Abroad in Paris as a Student by Vicki Fletcher

2nd (tie)
Teaching in Korea Why College Graduates Should Consider Teaching English in South Korea by Jena Sprau
3rd (tie)
Studying Abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark: Viking Kings and Little Mermaids by Ariel Bloomer
3rd (tie)
Students in Lyon, France Living and Studying in Lyon, France by Christopher Dalton
3rd (tie)
Teach in South Korea Experience South Korea by Teaching English: Modern Life Meets Rich Traditions by Michelle Joo Hwang
Finalist
Living in Madrid Living with a Host Family in Madrid by Kristen Fonte
Finalist
Sphinx near Cairo A High School Summer in Egypt Studying Arabic by Connie Ip
Finalist
Living in Ecuador as a Student How to Live and Study Abroad in Ecuador by Kristie Kannaley
Finalist
Studying in London Studying Abroad in London with CIEE by Abby Ringiewicz
Finalist
Gap Year Program Backpacking Before College with the Youth International Gap Program by Margaret Ulrich

2011 Student Travel Writing Contest Winners
1st
Studying in Istanbul

What You Should Know About Studying and Living in Istanbul, Turkey by David Joshua Jennings

2nd
How to find a dream job in international education How to Find a Dream Job in the Field of International Education by Jennifer Hare
3rd (tie)
Study abroad in Florence, Italy Living La Vita Fiorentina: One Spring in Florence, Italy by Gillian Gurish
3rd (tie)
Study abroad in Italy How to Fall in Love with Study Abroad in Italy Again and Again by Leah Henderson
3rd (tie)
Study abroad in Florence, Italy Teaching English in the Heart of Europe, Otherwise Known as Hungary by Jakob Hidas
3rd (tie)
Study abroad in Florence, Italy How to Enjoy Your Time Studing Abroad in Bologna by Emily Peeler
Finalist
Study in Oxford, England A Year Abroad at Oxford University: Living and Learning in the City of Dreaming Spires by Melissa Browne
Finalist
Volunteer and live in Cambodia Volunteering, Living and Learning in Cambodia by Charlie Cristi
Finalist
Intern Abroad in Bavaria Studying and Interning in Bavaria: The Keys to a Successful Experience Abroad by Allison LaRose
Finalist
Teach abroad in Mexico Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Guadalajara, Mexico by Emily Miner

2010 Student Travel Writing Contest Winners
1st
What You Need to Know About Studying Abroad in Madrid by Alexei Koseff
2nd (tie)
Learning on the Throne of Enlightenment: A Semester of Buddhist Studies in India by Manny Fassihi
2nd (tie)
Studying Abroad Among the Elite: A Year at the London School of Economics by Chao Huang
3rd (tie)
Volunteering Abroad Teaching English with Worldteach: Tales of Life in Northeast Thailand by Haley Boone
3rd (tie)
Volunteer in the Marshall Islands: Thinking About Teaching Abroad in a Developing Nation? by Sam Cortina
3rd (tie)
How to Plan Your Study Abroad Experience: Living as a Student in Buenos Aires by Megan Jones
3rd (tie)
Study Abroad and Service-Learning in Malta by Brian Liesinger
3rd (tie)
Living and Studying Abroad in Australia: Total Cultural Immersion is the Best Way to Experience the Land Down Under by Carolyn Mueller
3rd (tie)
Study and Travel Abroad in Bhutan: Experiential Learning with the Hiram College Study Abroad Program by Emma Strong
3rd (tie)
Studying and Living in Cairo and Traveling in the Desert Dunes of Egypt by Rachel Tobias
3rd (tie)
Studying Abroad and Living in Prague, Czech Republic by Tanya Xu
Finalist
Study Abroad and Living in Ghana: Throw Your Expectations Out of the Window by Isabel Dickinson
Finalist
Learning to Teach English in Germany: A Semester of Studying, Living, and Traveling while Studying for a TEFL Degree by Noemi Hayslett
Finalist
Study Abroad at Oxford University, England: A New Education by Kelsey O'Brien

2009 Student Travel Writing Contest Winners
1st
Learning Spanish in Quito: Immersion in Ecuadorian Culture by David Joshua Jennings
2nd
Learning Medical Spanish in Costa Rica: Pura Vida by Regina Toto
3rd
Advanced Studies Abroad in Bath, England by Regina Toto
Finalist
A Student’s Reference Guide to Studying Abroad by Kayda Norman
Finalist
Study Abroad in Australia: Immersion Intensifies the Experience by Jennifer Fromal
Finalist
Travel and Live Abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand as a Student: A Difficult but Great Experience by Kasey Weber
Finalist
Study Abroad in Brussels, Belgium: From Naive Isolationist to True European by Helen Bond

2008 Student Travel Writing Contest Winners
1st
Study Abroad in Bologna: Slowing Down and Discovering the Good Life in Italy by Eamee C. Lanning
2nd (tie)
Learning The Second Time Around: An Odyssey Studying, Working, and Living Abroad by Nicole Tobin
2nd (tie)
Study at Nottingham University in England by Elizabeth L. Hatt
2nd (tie)
Study Abroad: The Benefits of Waiting by Michael Kay
3rd (tie)
Learning Abroad: Anyone (and Anything) Can Teach You a Lesson by Olivia Victoria Andrzejczak
3rd (tie)
Study Abroad in Chile: Learning Acceptance of New Ideas by Tamara Smith
3rd (tie)
Study Abroad in Helsinki Summer School as a Mature Student by Audrey Faye Henderson
3rd (tie)
Study Abroad in Tanzania: On Borders, Bananas, and Being Back by Danae Roumis
Finalist
A Journey of Self Discovery: Understanding Differences Through Studying Abroad by Kristen Clark
Finalist
In-Between Cultures: Cultural Immersion in Bangalore, India by Diana Jue
Finalist
Internship for an Ethiopian NGO by Sara Cornish
Finalist
Living and Studying in the Languedoc Region of Southern France by Lola Pak
Finalist
Volunteer Work at an Archeological Dig in Greece by Josiah Ramsay Johnston

2007 Student Travel Writing Contest Winners
1st
The Lasting Benefits of Study Abroad by Lauren Anne Underhill 
2nd
Life Lessons in Ghana by Lauren Elliott 

2000 - 2006 Student Travel Writing Contest Winners
2006
1st
The Road Less Traveled: Grants for Independent Research Overseas by Shayna McHugh
2005
1st
Living and Learning in Oxford by Emily Hilk
2004
1st
Beyond the Comfort Zone by Kate Gustafson
2003
1st
Planning for Study Abroad in Developing Countries by Meredith Alt
2002
1st
Irish Literature in Dublin: Disability Does Not Prevent Study Abroad by Johana Schwartz
2001
1st
Work in the Middle Kingdom: Internships in China by Christopher Moore
2000
1st
A Student Guide to Choosing a Study Abroad Program by Chanomi Maxwell-Parish

Student Writing Contest Guidelines
TransitionsAbroad.com has been extremely proud to host an annual student writing contest during the past 16 years for all currently enrolled high school, undergraduate, graduate students, student interns, and volunteers (including Peace Corps).
Students who have graduated within the past three years are also eligible, as well as students currently on leave from school since many internships and working/living experiences occur after enrollment. We have always been open to multiple perspectives.

The following prizes will be awarded to the winning student writing submissions:

  • 1st Place:$500
  • 2nd Place:$150
  • 3rd Place:$100
  • Finalist:$50

All winning pieces are published on our site.

Transitions Abroad magazine and TransitionsAbroad.com have long featured regular articles on the subject of Student Participant Stories, Student to Student Advice, Student Volunteer Service Learning, and Internships Abroad, where students share information and experience with other students contemplating educational travel abroad, whether formal study abroad, internships, volunteering, educational travel, or short-term work abroad.

Many of the winners of this contest have gone on to write more articles for TransitionsAbroad.com, create or enhance their portfolios and blogs, or find permanent writing and editing positions.

What We Are Looking For in the Student Writing Contest

For our annual Student Travel Writing Contest with cash scholarships, please think about the following questions and requirements:

  • What you were looking for when you were planning to study, intern, volunteer, travel, work, or live abroad as a student?

  • Follow the general guidelines below as a basis for your article or mini-guide, since the more questions you address, the more likely your essay will help to inform and inspire other prospective students in their ventures abroad.

  • Feel free to take your own angle, having reviewed some of the past winner's articles, but still keep the future student going abroad squarely in mind while providing links to useful resources.

  • Do not submit highly personal narratives in this contest, since the essays are meant to be practical guides for others, though selected illustrative anecdotes can be helpful while adding color to your essay.
  • Where did you go to school before your work/study/internship/travel/living/volunteering abroad?

  • What motivated you to go abroad?

  • What subjects or activities were your primary interests abroad?

  • How did you select your program or activity abroad? Did you use search engines, word of mouth, databases, unedited reviews, social media, forums, or other communication modes? Emphasize essential practical information such as how you researched and selected a program or arranged your independent study, volunteer service, travel, job, or internship.

  • If you selected and write about one program or independent activity in which you participated, please provide a list of similar programs or alternative opportunities you researched for the reader from which they might choose.

  • Where did you go abroad, why, and when?

  • In which program(s) did you end up participating? Was it an organized program, direct attendance at an academic institution abroad, or independent study?

  • Once you were abroad, what did you wish you had known before you left?

  • Were there any unexpected events, challenges, or realizations while you were abroad?

  • Did you encounter what you felt was racism, sexism, or any other form of aggression during your time abroad? How did you react and what did you learn or do you wish to share about the experience?

  • What was the best part of your experience abroad?

  • Describe with some specificity and even with anecdotes what you did in your studies, internship, work, volunteering, travel, living to provide a clear sense of your experience. What you did will most certainly be of interest to others.

  • Do you consider your venture abroad as achieving or exceeding your goals?

  • Would you go abroad again? Would you recommend that others do the same?

  • Did you consider yourself a good ambassador while you were abroad? Did you feel you gave as much as you received from the people and culture hosting you?

  • What role did social media and online communications play in your experience abroad? In these times, when we are spending more and more of our waking life online, how did you balance such activity with cultural immersion and direct connection with locals and your host family?

  • Since you have returned (if you have), how have you been able to fit what you did and learned abroad into your life — academic, career, and otherwise?

  • Do you think that your experience changed your life spiritually, academically, and will it alter your future life, including career choices?

  • Did you go abroad with the expectation that the intercultural skills you would develop might help you in your future career — skills employers now seek?

  • Did you intend to write about your experience during and after your experience abroad, and via which media?

  • Has your experience abroad, post graduation, led to the work abroad you desire as a result, or more likely to related international work from your home country? Many jobs or careers these days involve interaction with international entities, did your experience abroad help you with your current employment responsibilities?

  • Think of yourself as a study abroad advisor and your reader as a student like yourself before you decided to study/intern/live/work abroad. Offer your best practical advice.

  • Be specific: Vague and flowery evocations of the place(s) you visited and what a wonderful time you had there are not always helpful to someone preparing for his or her trip. Good writing avoids clichés.

  • Write like a journalist seeking to tell a story attempting as much objectivity as possible to reach a wide and educated audience seeking minimal bias.

  • If you write about your experience as a student in a specific program, remember that the appropriateness of the program depends on the individual.

  • While remaining practical, please do not hesitate to offer your most inspiring experiences and advice. Describe your personal passions relating to traveling, living, and learning in the country(ies) in which you visited.

  • If you feel that anecdotes or epiphanies offer a view into the core of your experience abroad, please provide them as well as any dialog with locals that may have changed your perspective.

  • Include a box-out(s) with useful relevant information or related programs that you considered or discovered to help others in their research.

  • Note: Please provide high quality and high-resolution photographs to make your submission stand out and help convey the context of your experience in conjunction with your words.

  • Note: Optionally provide Youtube video(s), links to blog posts or multimedia of any kind that will help further evoke what you experienced abroad and will inspire others to follow in your footsteps.

Word Count

1,200-3,500 words. At least 2-3 or more high-resolution photos strongly preferred.

Student Writing Contest Deadline

The contest has been put on hold as of 2017 with plans to resume in the future.

Student Writing Contest Terms
  • There is no entry fee required for submissions.

  • Submissions that have been published during the current academic year by home academic institutions are eligible.

  • Transitions Abroad Publishing, Inc. is not responsible for late, lost, misdirected, incomplete, or illegible email or for any computer-related, online, or technical malfunctions that may occur in the submission process.

  • Submissions are considered void if illegible, incomplete, damaged, irregular, altered, counterfeit, produced in error, or obtained through fraud or theft.

  • Submissions will be considered made by an authorized account holder of the email address submitted at time of entry.

  • The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners — along with any other runners-up accepted for publication — will be paid by Transitions Abroad Publishing, Inc. either by check or PayPal as preferred by the author.

  • All federal, state, and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the Contest winners.

  • Decisions of the judges are final.

Format

Typed in Microsoft Word and sent by email to studentwritingcontest@TransitionsAbroad.com. Your name and your email address should be on the document and the "TransitionsAbroad.com Student Writing Contest" as the subject of the email. Please let us know at webeditor@transitionsabroad.com if your submission did not get through for any reason.

Cover Sheet

Please provide your name and email address, your college or university, and your year in school or year that you graduated or expect to graduate. If you traveled on your own, list the countries and dates and what you did (worked, backpacked, etc.) If you traveled with a program, list the program name and institution, and the dates. Include your email address if applicable. Include a short biographical note (hometown, major, etc.). This information can be in the body of the email which includes your submission.

Transmission

Send electronically as an attached MS Word file which includes the submission title, your name, your email address, and the story to studentwritingcontest@TransitionsAbroad.com. If you cannot attach the submission as an MS Word file, then please try to create a Google Document and send us the shared link. The last and least desirable way to submit is to paste the article text into an email message. If you have any questions about the contest, please write to webeditor@transitionsabroad.com.

For images, which often play an important part in conveying the abroad experience, ideally you have the images stored in the Cloud on sites such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Flickr, etc. Images in the Cloud can be easily accessed by suppling a link with read rights, but if not, please feel free to attach as many relevant high resolution images as possible or let us know that you have them available. Images tell a story in and of themselves, of course, and photojournalistic approaches will be considered.

Social Media

Notification of your participation in the contest via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or your favorite social networking sites would be much appreciated.


About Us  
Contact Us  
© 1997-2024 Transitions Abroad Publishing, Inc.
Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms and Conditions California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out IconYour Privacy Choices Notice at Collection