Blog Writing Contest for The Californian Abroad

Prizes

UCEAP will give away three levels of awards:

First place

• Three winners!
• Each will receive a $200 award

Second place

• Three winners!
• Each will receive a $150 award

Third place

• Three winners!
• Each will receive a $100 award

Honorable Mention

• Up to ten winners!
• Each will receive a $50 award

Eligibility

All University of California students and alumni in good standing who participated in a UCEAP program and studied abroad in 2024 or 2025.

Submissions from students or alumni who did not participate in a UCEAP program or were disciplined for an ethics or conduct violation are not eligible for the competition.

Rules

All submissions are subject to editing for style and voice. UCEAP’s voice and tone is:

• Conversational - Let's be real—a natural, conversational tone is more relatable and easier to understand.
• Encouraging - A warm and encouraging tone requires staying positive and putting student needs and concerns in first place.
• Honest - Honest, clear, and specific communication builds trust, particularly in complex or sensitive situations.
• Youthful - A youthful tone captures the imagination, entertains, and builds excitement for the possibilities and adventures of study abroad.

Submission does not guarantee a post will be published or published in its original submitted form. 

Only complete submissions, as defined by the list of required submission materials, are eligible for the competition. 

Only original, unpublished work (copy and photography) is eligible for this competition.

Submissions of 3-minute Travel Guides are not eligible for the competition. 

Upon submission, all submitted content becomes the property of the University of California Education Abroad Program and may be published in The Californian Abroad or other marketing materials and websites.

Required Submission Materials

The following lists what’s required for a submission to be considered complete: 

1. An original blog post of at least 500 words and no more than 1,500 words.
2. A minimum of five unedited and original photographs (formats: jpg, png) to illustrate the story.
3. A single profile photo of yourself – selfie-style with your face filling most of the frame.
4. Your bio (written in the third person) with a minimum of five sentences answering the following questions:
   1. Where you are now and what you’re doing post-study abroad
   2. Future plans and what effect study abroad had on those plans
   3. Favorite activities or lifestyle changes influenced by your study abroad experience
   4. Plans for travel or continuing education

Important: Stories are humanity's most powerful cognitive and social technology, and your personal narrative cannot be outsourced to a machine. While AI models have come a long way in terms of coding, math and data analysis, their storytelling capabilities leave much to be desired. An AI model will never know the trauma, joy, love, frustration and wonder that define and connect us as human beings. Use AI wisely when crafting your contest entry, and know that UCEAP will use AI to verify how much of your story was written by a machine.

Contest Themes

This year, we're looking for more than just a travelogue. We want to hear about the moments that truly transformed you and inspired personal growth—how your UCEAP experience reshaped your perspective, your learning, or your life back home. 

To help guide your writing, please select one of the contest themes below and use it as the focus for your story:

• Academic Awakening - Learning Without Borders: How did studying within a different academic system or cultural context expand the way you learn — and the way you now approach your studies at UC?
• Bridges Not Bubbles - Moments of Connection: Think back to a moment of genuine connection — with friends, classmates, or community. How did it reshape how you see yourself and the way you build belonging back home?
• America Through a New Lens - Looking Homeward: Living abroad often changes how we see America. How did your experience shift what you value, question, or appreciate about life in the US, and how does that perspective shape you now?
• Global Localists - Lasting Changes: What perspective, skill, or habit from your time abroad has stuck with you? How has it changed the way you live day‑to‑day, from campus life to your personal goals?

Recommendation

As you reflect on your experiences abroad for the contest, you may find it helpful to explore our free Navigating Reentry online course. In just about an hour, this resource can help you articulate your transformative experience, not only so that you craft the most impactful blog entry, but also to help you confidently share your study abroad journey with everyone who asks that most common question, "So, how was studying abroad?"

Before you submit

1. Review the contest guidelines on this page and gather the required submission materials.
2. Download the contest template and fill it out carefully.
3. Edit your submission carefully using the pre-submission checklist.

If you've done all of the above, you're ready to submit!

Questions?

Questions about the contest can be sent to californianabroad@uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu.