Joy Worldwide Inc. Photo Contest Winners 2025
We’re excited to announce the winners of the Joy Worldwide Inc. Photo Contest! These stunning photos capture unique perspectives and unforgettable moments from our participants' study abroad journeys.
To dive deeper, we asked our winners two questions: What does your submitted photo represent to you? and How has your study abroad experience already impacted or changed you? Their answers revealed personal transformations, newfound perspectives, and unforgettable memories shaped by their experiences abroad.
1st Place : Aricka Coriolan 2nd Place: Adriana Morgan 3rd Place: Vicktryl Mbakwa
What does your submitted photo represent to you?
Aricka Coriolan: The photo I submitted was taken at the breathtaking Wat Rong Seur Ten in Thailand, in front of the majestic blue-hued Buddhist temple. To me, this photo represents peace! Being there in person, standing before such a spiritually significant and beautifully designed place, was an experience that words honestly can’t fully capture. It was a moment of stillness, reflection, and deep appreciation for a culture so rich in meaning and tradition. That experience reminded me how important it is to slow down and be present.
Adriana Morgan: My photo was taken at the Sugarloaf Mountains in Rio de Janeiro during a weekend trip with friends. In that moment standing on the ledge, with the beautiful sunset glowing around us and Christ the Redeemer in the distance I felt an overwhelming sense of peace, joy, and presence. The photo represents not just the beauty of Rio, but also the beauty of experiencing life more fully, being present, appreciating the people around me, and finding happiness in unfamiliar places. It was a day where everyone was capturing their own special moments, and this was mine.
Vicktryl Mbakwa: The photo that I submitted represents just how vast the world is. The photo was taken in the Merzouga desert in Morocco after my desert tour. This photo shows how a simple photo of sand can be beautiful. It gives one a moment to step back and appreciate the world around them.
How has your study abroad experience already impacted or changed you?
Aricka Coriolan: Studying abroad has transformed me in so many meaningful ways. It’s helped me grow both personally and professionally. I’ve expanded my network internationally, improved my Spanish-speaking skills, and learned so much about myself in the process. Being immersed in different cultures and histories opened my eyes to perspectives I had never truly considered before. I now have a deeper appreciation for the world’s diversity and a stronger desire to learn about and understand people from all walks of life. Since studying abroad, I view the world differently! I see beauty in the details, value in cultural differences, and potential in every new experience. I’m now passionate about encouraging other students to take that leap and study abroad too, because it’s truly life changing.
Adriana Morgan: Studying abroad in Brazil has deeply transformed me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I never expected. Every day brought a new challenge whether navigating language barriers, adapting to a different culture, and learning to be patient with myself. But through those challenges, I discovered a new level of resilience within me. This experience reminded me how powerful curiosity and the courage to explore can be, to ask questions, to unlearn and relearn. I feel like I’ve grown not just as a student really, but as a person. The connections I made, the culture I immersed myself in, and the lessons I learned will stay with me forever. This journey was truly life changing.
Vicktryl Mbakwa: My study abroad experience changed my view on life in general and broadened my views on what life has to offer. Most people think in the scope of what they want to accomplish in their country or side of the world but being abroad showed me that there are infinite options. I feel like school counselors and such always talk about how there are many paths that someone can take career wise or major wise but being abroad really showed me real life examples of that. I met so many people from different cultures and walks of life and that taught me so much about myself in a way. Especially meeting Cameroonians from different parts of the world as I am a Cameroonian-American. Not only that but my mom lived abroad in Germany for her bachelors degree and getting the opportunity to live in her shoes and visit some of the countries she's visited like the UK, France, and Italy made me feel closer to her. But in Conclusion I believe that being abroad helped me not take life so seriously and live with more passion and adventure.