Blog Guidelines

1. Blogs must be between 500-1000 words (1-2 pages double spaced)
   
   
2. Please include between 2-5 high-resolution photos related to your blog or your trip. Photos must be in jpeg or png format (no heic photos please). Do not paste the photos in your word doc when you submit your blog. Photos should be submitted as their own individual files.
   
   
3. (Optional) You can also include a video of no more than 3 minutes in length to your blog. This should be submitted as a YouTube link or a Google Drive link/file.
   
   
4. Submit your blog with a signed Release Form for Photos, Videos, and Written Materials
   
   
5. When you’re ready to submit your blog, please send it with your release form, photos or video links to study.abroad@ucalgary.ca. If you are submitting your blog for a travel grant requirement, please submit it to intlstdt@ucalgary.ca
   
   

Tips and Guidelines

• Start with an engaging or interesting lead to your story (the hook!). A short anecdote, unique fact, or interesting thought helps make the reader want to read on.
  
  
• Historical facts or interesting tidbits can make a blog more captivating. Fact-check your statements where appropriate, and include a source when necessary.
  
  
• Write in first person and past tense.
  
  
• Keep your topic focused on a particular theme, experience, or location.
  
  
• Maintain a positive tone or attitude. If you are writing about challenges or issues you faced, that is completely fine (and welcome!), but ensure your focus is on the positive outcome or lesson you gained from the experience, and has a resolution that inspires others to want to study abroad.
  
  
• Negative stereotypes of the country or locals, or anything that borders on bigotry, racism, sexism, or hate speech will not be accepted.
  
  

Suggested topics:

• Tips for those who want to study at your host university/country/GSP.
  
  
• Travel tips such as packing, solo travel, sustainable travel, etc.
  
  
• Highlighting the facilities, accommodation, courses, and life on campus at your host university.
  
  
• Cultural differences and interesting events, holidays, or experiences.
  
  
• Sporting events or festivals you attended.
  
  
• Your experiences learning or using a different language abroad.
  
  
• Your experiences navigating aspects of your life abroad such as personal identity (e.g. visible minority, LGBTQ+), dietary restrictions, physical/mental health, religious affiliation, etc.
  
  
• Interactions with wildlife, natural locations, and interesting places you visited abroad.
  
  
• Interviewing locals or other exchange students or Group Study participants. You must have have a photo of them, and ensure they have signed a release form (see above).
  
  
• Unique stories that would engage future students interested in studying abroad.
  
  

Things to avoid:

• Discussing entry requirements or the application processes.
  
  
• Specific names of teachers or students or their contact information, unless they have signed a release form (see above).
  
  
• Negative comments about specific people or groups.
  
  
• Any offensive, suggestive, or provocative language/imagery.
  
  
• “Play by play” descriptions.
  
  
• Any contravention of the laws of a country or policies of the host & home institution.
  
  

If you have a suggestion for a blog topic, or a completed blog that you would like feedback on before submitting, please feel free to contact us at study.abroad@ucalgary.ca. If you are writing a blog to fulfill your Travel Grant requirements, please direct your email and questions to intlstdt@ucalgary.ca.