The International Institute (II) Photo Contest is open to all University of Michigan students affiliated with the II and/or its centers and programs, either through funding or study.
Photos must be taken in conjunction with research, study, or an internship abroad related to or funded by the II and/or its centers and programs, and must have been completed between August 2024 and August 2025. A select panel of U-M staff and faculty members will judge the photos on subject matter, composition, technical quality, creativity, and originality.
Deadline for submission: OCTOBER 31, 2025 (12 AM EST)
Categories/Themes
Go Blue!
(U-M pride abroad)
While our Michigan pride runs deep at home, it resonates just as profoundly across borders. Share snapshots of your “Go Blue!” experiences from all around the world. We would love to see how our spirit travels with you, whether you are conducting research in remote locations, interning at ancient sites, or studying in busy international cities.
The World Is Your Classroom
(A facet of the student’s research, work, or study abroad)
We celebrate the idea that education extends far beyond the four walls of a classroom. Submit your best photos that capture the essence of learning from the different parts of the world—we want to see how you interpret the theme through your unique perspective. Examples may be a snapshot of your fieldwork at an archeological dig, nature that teaches us about the environment, a cultural heritage that gives you a new understanding and perspectives of the traditions, a picture of an adult picking up a new skill, or a breathtaking sight that teaches us about the world.
Encounters & Vistas
(Discovering cultural differences, encountering the unfamiliar, and finding unexpected moments abroad)
Share snapshots of moments that surprised you, made you reflect, or gave you a new perspective. Whether it’s a quiet moment that captured a cultural nuance, an unexpected interaction, or a scene that challenged your assumptions. We’d love to see how these experiences have opened your eyes (and your lens) to the world in new ways while pursuing research, internships, and language or area studies abroad. These images should capture not just what you witnessed but also how those experiences shaped your understanding of yourself and others.
You are welcome to submit photos for all three categories, but please ensure you upload all images simultaneously.
Once you submit your online form, you will NOT be able to submit another entry
or make further submissions.
Deadline for submission: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025 (12 AM EST)
Awards
Three winners will be selected from each category:
First Place - $500 | Second Place - $200 | Third Place - $100
In addition, selected photos may also be featured in the Global Photo Showcase organized by the Global Engagement Team in the Office of the Provost, giving your work a chance to be shared with a broader audience.
Rules of Entry and Guidelines
Open to all U-M students affiliated with the II and/or its centers and programs, either through funding or study.
Photos must be taken in conjunction with research, study, or an internship abroad related to or funded by the II and/or its centers and programs and completed between August 2024 and August 2025. If you have any questions, please email iimichigan@umich.edu.
Rules of Entry
- You must have participated in research, an internship, or study abroad related to or funded by the International Institute and/or one or more of its centers or programs between August 2024 and August 2025.
- You may submit one photo per category.
- All photos must be your original work, taken during your qualifying research, internship, or study abroad between August 2024 and August 2025.
- AI-generated or digitally manipulated (“photoshopped”) images are not accepted. Black-and-white photos are eligible.
- Submit your photo(s) using the online entry form.
- Each photo must include a location, date, title, and a brief description (maximum 160 words) explaining how it relates to the category theme and your research, internship, or study abroad experience.
- Entries must be submitted by October 31, 2025.
Photo Submission Guidelines
- Submission: Use the online entry form to submit your photos.
- Original work: All photos must be your own work.
- Size: Images must be 8x10 inches (portrait or landscape). Submitted photos may be resized or cropped to fit these dimensions, which could result in slight detail loss.
- Format: JPEG/JPG or PNG; minimum resolution of 1000px.
- Color: Both color and black-and-white photos are eligible.
- Submission: Upload each entry as a separate file through the online submission form.
Photo Contest Use Notice
By submitting photos to the II Photo Contest, you agree to our guidelines on how your photos may be used and credited. We encourage you to review these details before entering.
View Full Use Notice (expand to read)
Ethics
We ask students to consider the ethical aspects of capturing images of people and places. Please be aware that not everyone wishes to be photographed, and not all places can or should be captured.
Here are questions you can ask yourself as you think through the range of situations you’ll encounter:
- Could there be tension between my intentions in taking this photo and how others will perceive the image, especially those in the United States?
- Is it appropriate to ask the person’s/people’s permission in this context?
Content Restrictions
Photos that include any of the following will not be used:
- Minors (children)
- Life-threatening behavior
- Illegal activity
- Alcohol consumption
- Nudity
- Locations where photography is prohibited
- Customs or activities that may be perceived as animal cruelty
