Where in the world?! co-op photo contest

Collage of co-op photo contest submissions. Pictures of students and places all around the world

Showcase your international impact and experience

The where in the world!? photo contest is an annual contest for you to share your co-op experiences abroad during international education week.

Submit a photo that:

  • highlights your experience living in a multicultural society, whether observing daily life or capturing meaningful moments while abroad.
  • captures a feeling, your photo may be inspiring, joyful, sombre, or anything in between.
  • shows how you're helping to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and making a difference to transform our world while at work.

If you worked outside of Canada during your fall 2023, winter 2024 and/or spring 2024 co-op work terms, you would have received an email near the end of your work term calling for photo submissions. The winners will be decided during International Education Week from November 18 to 22, 2024. Learn more about submissions and the selection process. If you have any questions, please reach out to Laura Anderton.

Winners will receive a cash prize on their WatCard!
First place $250
Second place $150

Previous winners

Contest submission and selection process

Submission guidelines
  • Submit your photo by Friday, October 25, 2024.
  • You can only submit one (1) photo per work term (fall 2023 and winter 2024 and spring 2024).
  • You must be currently enrolled as a Waterloo student.
  • You must have been on a Waterloo-sanctioned international work term at the time of your photo was taken.
  • Your photo must be taken at a location outside of Canada.
  • Your photo cannot be from working remotely for a Canadian employer while located outside of Canada.
  • Your photo must be submitted in a high-resolution quality.
  • Your photo must be appropriate to share publicly.
  • We recommend not including other people in your photo as you need their permission to do so if their faces are clearly visible in the photo. If there are other people in the photo, make sure they are aware it could be shared widely through social media. You might need permission to submit the photo if it is at your place of employment.
  • Co-operative Education reserves the right to make minor edits to the photo and description for voting and printing.

Selection process
  • A selection committee will vote to shortlist a total of ten (10) photos from all submissions. You will be notified by email if your photo was selected to appear in the photo showcase.
  • Our campus community will vote for their favourite photo/story via an online survey in November.
  • Please note: Your name and ID number will not appear on the photos in the online survey in order to maintain anonymity. The online survey for voting will be shared with the Waterloo community, but non-Waterloo individuals may be able to access the survey as well.
  • Winners will be announced in November and notified via e-mail.
  • Co-operative Education may print and mount the shortlisted photos after the photo showcase for display in the Tatham Centre, including student name and program.

Submit your photo

Which work term was the photo taken on?
Share with us and the voters how your photo showcases your international impact and experience. Consider sharing the impact your work is having on the community or your personal growth from working abroad.
One file only.
25 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png.
Content Release

By checking this box I hereby grant permission to the University of Waterloo and authorize the use by the University of Waterloo, its officers and employees, of my image, voice, and/or likeness at the event or location noted above. Read more about consent release here: https://creativeservices.uwaterloo.ca/evites/project-tools/consent.pdf.