My study abroad experience in one photo
Could you summarise a year in a photo? We asked our study abroad students to try. Here's what they captured from a year studying in Japan, Tanzania, Taiwan, South Korea and Jordan.
Studying abroad is an experience you won't forget. It's full of new experiences, a chance to get out of your comfort zone and change how you understand the world. Each year, our students return from their study abroad adventures with stories and a full camera roll. We asked them to submit one photo that captures their time away. Here's what they shared.
Unexpected visitors: Two deer munching on toilet paper
"Alongside studying, one of my favourite pastimes was travelling around Japan, exploring all the various regions and seeing what they have to offer. This photo was taken in the women’s bathroom in front of the Todai-ji temple in Nara.
Famous mainly for the sheer number of free-roaming deer, visiting Nara was one of the highlights of my year abroad. The energy of the place was vibrant, full of joy of both tourists and Japanese people alike, all enamoured by the beauty of not only the gorgeous deer, but also the majesty of Nara’s many cultural sights.
While the sight of a bathroom is not all that glamorous, this moment really stuck with me. Being in Japan has exposed me to many unexpected and simply fun situations, such as this one, which I have never experienced anywhere else.
Being in Japan has exposed me to many unexpected and simply fun situations, such as this one, which I have never experienced anywhere else.
The two deer munching on toilet paper in a public bathroom (which I led out with the use of a whole-wheat cracker right after taking this photo) were, to me, the real, raw representation of my time in Japan." - Laura Pourova studied Japanese in Tokyo and won 1st place in our Study Abroad in One Photo competition.
Living there instead of passing through
"The photo is a reflection of me in the decorations on a door at the Martyr Shrine in Taipei. Studying in Taiwan was intense and a whole new way of schooling, learning, and teaching that took some time to wrap my head around; however, punctuating that with trips to cultural and historical sites was always rewarding.
The Martyr's Shrine is maybe not the first place that tourists would go to when just visiting, however, that was one of the things that I enjoyed the most from my year abroad - whilst initially it was difficult to overcome this feeling like I was just on holiday in Taiwan, getting to experience traditional events and going to less popular places, was what made my year abroad for me; getting to feel like I actually lived there rather than just passing through." - Elizabeth Elrick studied in Taiwan and came joint runner-up in the Study Abroad in One Photo competition.
Revisiting memories and my culture
"I went to Japan for a year, to learn the language, but I also connected more with half of my culture. I had visited Mt Fuji as a child, with minimal memory, so a highlight of my year abroad was revisiting famous tourist places I had been with my family, but this time as an adult who could navigate the language myself.
I took this photo on a film camera by a Lawson (convenience store, though not the famous location), and I love how there were tourists (as much as that is an issue in Japan), doing their own things. And even Japanese people travelling their own country." - Amy Kan studied Japanese and came joint runner-up in the Study Abroad in One Photo competition.
From busy Seoul to the silence of Lake Ashi
"Embarking on the study abroad provided me with plentiful opportunities to travel inside South Korea, my host country, and outside of it. In this case, the photo I have chosen was taken in Hakone, Japan, during my travels there, bridging the end of my studies in South Korea and my return to the UK. Studying abroad can appear to be quite a lonely and daunting experience; moving to another country and living self-sufficiently can constitute a significant challenge.
I believe that these feelings and concerns are well-captured in this image, taken at Lake Ashi during the summer. Through perseverance and determination, what might appear at first as an intimidating task can be one that you can navigate through with ease. Ultimately, transforming into a vibrantly active and occasionally soothingly tranquil atmosphere.
I am forever grateful to have been able to experience such moments, whether they were filled with the bombastic sounds of bustling Seoul, or immersed in the profound silence of Lake Ashi, Hakone
Studying in South Korea at Korea University, whilst constituting a great personal challenge, was one of the best decisions of my life. Entering an uncertain environment, I completed my year abroad course, thriving in it. Travelling was just one of the many passions that I was able to pursue during my time there. I am forever grateful to have been able to experience such moments, whether they were filled with the bombastic sounds of bustling Seoul, or immersed in the profound silence of Lake Ashi, Hakone." - Jay Moulds studied in South Korea.
Swahili Coast
"Our year abroad was characterised by us always living by the sea. Our studies involved connecting with the Swahili culture, learning the Swahili language, and interacting with the local people. However, from what I remember, I was most fortunate to have the tranquillity and the access to the beautiful Indian Ocean, which was a big part of life on the Swahili Coast.
From the food we ate to the culture, and I had been established by the sea and its trade, I was very happy to go and be able to explore these waters with my classmates.
I was most fortunate to have the tranquillity, and the access to the beautiful Indian Ocean, which was a big part of life on the Swahili Coast.
Pictured here is my classmate and I at Prison Island, having asked a lovely tourist to capture a photo of us. Well, I didn’t expect the tourist to capture a photo of us running into the sea before we reached the end to pose, but I really appreciate the fun, silliness, and sense of adventure that this photo captures." - Ali Abubakar studied in Tanzania and Kenya.
Light of the sunrise during morning prayers
"Although I studied in Amman, Jordan, during my year abroad, I had the opportunity to visit Jerusalem twice. Living just a couple of hours’ drive away, I could often see its skyline from vantage points all over Jordan, such as the Dead Sea, Mount Nebo and Kerak Castle.
Many Jordanians, including my teachers at Qasid, feel a deep connection to the city, as most are related to or descended from Palestinians. Images of Jerusalem are found almost everywhere in Jordan, from markets to restaurants, so visiting it defined much of my year abroad.
This photo, taken after morning prayers, is a close-up of the Dome of the Rock, capturing its architectural and decorative details. The light of sunrise falls from the east, illuminating the right side of the frame. The Arabic calligraphy in the foreground features Quranic verses from Surah Yasin, my namesake, making this photograph personally significant to me." - Yasseen Hassan studied in Jordan.
Interested? Explore our study abroad and exchange programmes, including more than 70 global destinations.
