In a time when travel and, therefore, study abroad is almost nearly impossible, the 7th Annual Study Abroad Film Festival reminded us that when the world is ready it’s still worth exploring. Until then, we'll explore it virtually! 

After several Festivals hosted at the Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, we went back to our roots in 2020 and hosted the event virtually, just like how it started. With friends and family around, approximately 150 screens streamed the Festival. After a total of 1,260 votes were cast by the public, It was announced that the Grand Prize Winner of the 2020 Study Abroad Film Festival was If I Could Put Into Words by Kiubon Kokko, a Senior at Claremont McKenna College who studied abroad with IES Abroad in Nantes, France.

Watch the 2020 Film Festival On-Demand
 

Interested in our past festivals? Check them out here:

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2020 FILM FESTIVAL WINNER

Kiubon Kokko

If I Could Put Into Words

"I ate a lot of food in France. From the crepe Loïc made me, to the wraps Vianney made for me and my friends. But if there’s one thing I learned while I was in Nantes, France is that it’s not about where you eat, or even what you eat, it’s about who you eat with. The company is always so much more worth it."

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Finalists

my trip to japan

My Trip to Japan

Michael Sparks • University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill • Tokyo, Fall 2019

fragments

Fragments

Lexi Floom • University of Indiana • London, Spring 2020

Semi-Finalists

a year in paper

A Year in Paper

Makela Lynn • Sarah Lawrence College • Barcelona, Spring 2020

a story about cliches

A Story About Cliches

Gabriella Gigante • University of Michigan • Madrid, Spring 2020

my time in amsterdam

My Time in Amsterdam

Dahlia McGrath • Sarah Lawrence College • Amsterdam, Spring 2020

Paris la nouvelle

Paris: La Nouvelle Experience

Matthew Hsieh • University of Iowa • Paris, Spring 2020

when in rome

When in Rome

Ben Hard • The University of Texas at Austin • Rome, Spring 2020

Paris the angel

PARIS - THE ANGEL

Kevin Reyes • University of Redlands • Paris, Fall 2019

“When you go abroad, do not let it stop you from pursuing your dreams and aspirations. Instead, use it to your advantage to make new connections. Going abroad can open new doors for you, therefore try new activities, reach for the sky, chase your dreams because you will never know what the outcomes will be!”
Kevin R. • University of Redlands • Paris – Business & International Affairs

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a student takes a photo of the ocean on the beach in Barcelona