Congratulations to our winners and finalists in the 2026 Annual Photo Contest! Take a look at all the incredible experiences our students had while abroad. Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest!
The Grand Prize Winners for the contest are below:
Cultures, Customs, and Traditions:
Free for All:
Landscapes and Cityscapes:
Lions Abroad:
Lottery:
"Out of My Comfort Zone":
Ann Li SEAS'27 | CIEE Spain: Engineering, Technology + Sciences in Madrid | Inside One of Don Quixote's Giants: In the story of Don Quixote, the delusional hero famously confuses the windmills of Castile-La Mancha with Giants. This photo was taken from inside one of the windmills looking outwards at the city.
Ellen Lansing CC'26 | SEMESTER Petition — SIT in Madagascar: Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management | Look, No Hands Descr: Captain showing off while sailing a Malagasy sambo in the Mozambique channel
Camylin Blake CC'26 | Global Columbia Collaboratory: The Gambia | Commerce: Everyday commerce and movement/interaction of Gambians
Sebastian Pallais-Aks CC'26 | SIT Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights | "Mamá Siempre": A young girl sits on the shoulders of her godfather at the Marcha de Memoria, Verdad, y Justicia in rememberance of the military dictatorship. Hundreds of thousands of people filled Plaza de Mayo on that day in protest of the Milei government's erasure of this history.
Nicole Bastos CC'26 | CIEE Spain: Liberal Arts in Madrid | The canals of Venice with an iconic gondola for transport, framed by historic buildings
Ann Li SEAS'27 | CIEE Spain: Engineering, Technology + Sciences in Madrid | Hiking Alongside Cows at the Lakes of Covadonga: The Asturias region of Spain is known for their mountains and cows. I got to experience both at once.
Sebastian Pallais-Aks CC'26 | SIT Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights | "Queued Up": Gentoo penguins line up for a photo at the "pingüinera" preserve on Isla Martillo in Tierra del Fuego. This is the northernmost Gentoo penguin colony in the world!
Reese Yen CC'27 | Columbia Summer Core in Paris: Art Humanities and Music Humanities | Famous white chalk cliffs and natural arches covered in a mist where the land meets the sea.
Camylin Blake CC'26 | Global Columbia Collaboratory: The Gambia | Ships: Fishing Boats on the shore.
Kevin Daniel CC'28 | Columbia Summer Core in Berlin: Art Humanities and Music Humanities | Afternoon Sun in Hanover.
Nicole Bastos CC'26 | CIEE Spain: Liberal Arts in Madrid | Panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and French Riviera from the village and the castle ruins in Èze.
Sebastian Pallais-Aks CC'26 | SIT Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights | "Grazing": A horse enjoying the grasslands at Laguna La Zeta, in Chubut, Patagonia.
Gabriella Calabia CC'26 | IFSA in the United Kingdom: University of St. Andrews | The island's dramatic and tranquil beauty, with views of rolling hills, meadows, and the surrounding waters of the Sound of Iona between the island and the Isle of Mull.
Karen Zhang CC'26 | CIEE Spain: Semester in Barcelona | Overlooking Porto, a beautiful coastal city.
Jonathan Menzel CC'26 | Columbia in Paris: English Program (Fall only) | Sunrise On The Agafay: The sun rises over the distant Atlas Mountains as the quiet, cluttered, central medina of Marrakesh, Morocco, starts its day. Situated atop the roof of a local riad (hostel), the peace of this bustling city takes one last breath before the routine prayer calls give life to the city's residents. A cool December day in the Agafay Desert is soon to begin.
Gabriella Calabia CC'26 | IFSA in the United Kingdom: University of St. Andrews | A moment to ponder the path.
Ellen Lansing CC'26 | SEMESTER Petition — SIT in Madagascar: Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management | Big Baobab Hug Descr: Hugging a 700-year-old Baobab tree in Mangilly forest with Sophia Roberts and Nina Haskins (Both Barnard '26)
Rose Grace Tuttle CC'28 | Columbia Summer in Paris: English Track | The real beauty of Sainte-Chapelle: The true beauty of Sainte-Chapelle lies in these two incredible people. I met them during my trip abroad, and thank god they attend Columbia University. I didn’t have to say goodbye when the program ended!
Drew Reetz CC'27 | Columbia Summer Core in Berlin: Art Humanities and Music Humanities | "Tour Durch Berlin": Our group's first boat tour through Berlin. Arvin Kim smiling big and happy in front, along with Alicia Chang, Katherine Ruidi, and Tanisha Dakhawe.
Cynthia Ribustello CC'26 | IFSA in Australia: University of Sydney | Great Barrier Reef Scuba Trip with Anna Nelson CC'26
Rose Grace Tuttle CC'28 | Columbia Summer in Paris: English Track | Dancing in Mont-Saint-Michel: This was the first time I stepped outside my comfort zone. My friend and I spontaneously booked an overnight stay here over the weekend. I had never bought train tickets without my parents’ help, let alone booked a hotel. But we did it and went by ourselves! It was incredibly magical, and I gained a profound sense of independence.
Ellen Lansing CC'26 | SEMESTER Petition — SIT in Madagascar: Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management | Chameleon Descr: Chameleon spotted on a night walk in the rainforest.
Ann Li SEAS'27 | CIEE Spain: Engineering, Technology + Sciences in Madrid | Stepping Out from the Subway Station at Madrid's Gran Via: Walking down the lively street on my way to class at the city center.
Drew Reetz CC'27 | Columbia Summer Core in Berlin: Art Humanities and Music Humanities | "Blissful Berlin Day": My friend, Aria Cowen, taking a moment to appreciate the beaming sun and beautiful scenery at Schlachtensee Lake.
Kevin Daniel CC'28 | Columbia Summer Core in Berlin: Art Humanities and Music Humanities | Ben Halle at the Neue Nationalgalerie.
Ellen Lansing CC'26 | SEMESTER Petition — SIT in Madagascar: Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management | Bushwhacking, level 5000 Descr: Collecting data while tracking lemurs to collect their feces deep in the rainforest
Nicole Bastos CC'26 | CIEE Spain: Liberal Arts in Madrid | Finding serenity in the Moroccan desert landscape, where a few trees bring life to the arid terrain.
Shaya Schwarz GS'27 | Columbia Summer Core in Paris: Art Humanities and Music Humanities | Standing on the Edge.
Gabriella Calabia CC'26 | IFSA in the United Kingdom: University of St. Andrews | And into the mist we go...
Trent West GS'29 | Columbia Summer in Venice | While I was DJ-ing, I showed off my dance skills in a dance circle, everyone got involved and loved it.