Study holidays fly by. One minute you’re nervously waiting at the airport, and before you know it you’re packing your suitcase to come home. That’s why it’s worth making sure you capture the moments you’ll actually want to look back on.
Of course, you’ll end up with hundreds of random photos on your phone. Screenshots, blurry selfies and accidental pictures of your shoes included. But there are some moments that deserve a place in your camera roll!
Whether you’re heading to London, New York, Malta, Dubai or another Astrolabio destination, here are 15 photos to take on your study holiday:
Before you start: a few photo tips
You don’t need an expensive camera to capture great memories. Your phone is more than enough.
There are a few things worth remembering before you start filling your camera roll.
Put your phone away sometimes
It’s tempting to photograph everything.
But don’t spend your whole study holiday looking through a screen. Some of the best moments are the ones you simply experience.
Respect local customs
Different countries have different expectations about photography.
In some religious buildings or cultural sites, photography may be restricted or inappropriate. If you’re unsure, ask your Italian Coordinator or look for signs before taking pictures.
Always ask before photographing people
If you want a photo of someone you’ve met, ask first.
Most people are happy to be included, and it only takes a smile or a quick question.
Back up your photos
Phones get lost, damaged or run out of storage.
Using cloud storage or uploading your favourite photos every few days means you won’t lose the memories you’ve worked so hard to make.
The top 15 photos to take on your study holiday:
The journey
Every study holiday starts long before you reach your destination.
The excitement at the airport, the first glimpse of a new country and those first few hours abroad all deserve a place in your photo album.
1. The airport group photo
Before boarding your flight, gather everyone together for a quick group picture.
At this point you’re probably still learning names, but by the end of the trip these people could become some of your closest friends.
Extra idea: Take a photo of everyone’s suitcases or boarding passes too. It’s a simple detail you’ll appreciate years later.
2. Your first view of the destination
Whether it’s from the plane window, the coach or your first walk through the city, capture that first moment when you realise you’ve arrived.
Every destination has its own atmosphere, and first impressions are impossible to recreate.
3. Your first local meal
Food is one of the easiest ways to get to know a new country.
Whether you’re trying fish and chips in England, tasting local specialities in Malta or sitting down for your first meal after a long day of travelling, don’t forget to take a photo before everyone starts eating.
Better still, capture everyone’s reactions as they try something new. Those are often the photos that end up making everyone laugh the most.
New friends
Ask anyone who’s been on a study holiday what they remember most, and there’s a good chance they’ll mention the people.
You arrive surrounded by strangers, but shared lessons, excursions and late-night conversations have a way of bringing people together surprisingly quickly. By the time it’s time to leave, saying goodbye is often one of the hardest parts of the trip.
These next three photos capture the friendships that make every Astrolabio study holiday so special.
4. The first group photo
There’s always a moment when the ice finally breaks.
It might happen during your first evening together, after an excursion or over dinner, but suddenly everyone feels more relaxed and the conversations start flowing naturally. That’s the perfect time to take your first proper group photo.
When you look back at it, you’ll probably remember exactly where you were, what everyone was laughing about and how quickly those first introductions turned into genuine friendships.
5. A photo with your Italian Coordinators
Your Italian Coordinators are there to support you throughout the trip.
By the end of your study holiday, they’ll almost certainly have become a big part of your experience, so don’t forget to take a photo together before you head home.
6. An international friendship
One of the best parts of studying abroad is meeting people from different countries.
Whether it’s someone in your language class, another Astrolabio student or a new friend from another country, these are the connections that remind you how travel brings people together.
You might leave with a camera full of photos, but you’ll also come home with new contacts, shared memories and, if you’re lucky, friends you’ll stay in touch with long after the holiday has finished.
Local life
Improving your language skills is a huge part of a study holiday, but it’s only one part of the experience.
Living in another country, even for a short time, gives you the chance to notice the little details that make each destination different. Some are world-famous landmarks, while others are the everyday sights that locals barely notice but visitors never forget.
These photos will help tell the story of the place you explored, not just the attractions you visited.
7. The landmark everyone recognises
Every destination has at least one place that deserves a spot in your camera roll.
Whether it’s Big Ben in London, the Statue of Liberty in New York or another famous landmark, make sure you take a photo while you’re there.
The challenge is to make it your own. Try experimenting with different angles, reflections or creative poses instead of standing in the same spot as everyone else.
8. A small detail that sums up the destination
Some of the most memorable photos aren’t taken at famous attractions.
Look out for the little details that give a place its character. It could be colourful streets, traditional architecture, local markets, historic shopfronts, street art or even a distinctive mode of transport.
These are often the photos that instantly transport you back to a place years later.
9. Trying something local
Whether it’s tasting a traditional snack, joining a local celebration or trying an activity that’s popular in your destination, capture the moment.
Years later, these are often the experiences people remember most.
Moments that made you proud
One of the things that makes a study holiday different from an ordinary holiday is how much you learn outside the classroom.
Sometimes it’s obvious, like gaining confidence in speaking English. Other times it’s much more subtle. You find yourself trying something new, solving a problem on your own or realising you’ve become more independent without even noticing.
These are the moments that often stay with you long after the trip has ended.
10. The moment you used your language skills
Maybe you ordered lunch on your own, asked for directions, or had your first proper conversation with someone local, but the photo doesn’t need to show the conversation itself.
You’ll know exactly what it represents.
11. A moment you felt proud of yourself
Every study holiday has moments that push you a little further than your comfort zone.
Perhaps you gave a presentation in class, overcame a fear during an excursion or simply found yourself doing something that would have seemed intimidating a few days earlier.
Take a photo afterwards. It will remind you just how much can change in a short space of time.
12. Stepping outside your comfort zone
One of the best things about travelling is discovering something you never would have tried at home.
It might be a sport, a cultural activity, an excursion or even a food you were convinced you wouldn’t like.
Sometimes the experiences you’re least excited about before you leave end up becoming the stories you tell most often afterwards.
The funniest memories
Of course, a study holiday isn’t all lessons and sightseeing. These last three photos celebrate that side of the experience.
Not every photo has to be perfect. Some of the best ones are the blurry, chaotic pictures that make everyone laugh!
13. The funniest moment of the holiday
Every group has one moment that becomes an instant inside joke. Maybe someone took a wrong turn, somebody pulled the perfect expression at exactly the right moment or an activity didn’t quite go to plan.
If you manage to capture it on camera, even better. Those are often the photos everyone still laughs about months later!
14. Your group’s most ridiculous photo
Every friendship group has one!
15. Your favourite view
End the challenge with a photo that sums up your destination. It could be a spectacular sunset, a city skyline, the view from a famous landmark or simply a place that became special to you during your stay.
When you look back through your photos in years to come, this is the one that will take you straight back to that moment.
Looking back on your study holiday
When you get home, you’ll probably spend a few days telling everyone about your study holiday.
You’ll talk about the places you visited, the people you met and all the funny stories that happened along the way. Eventually, though, some of the smaller details will begin to fade.
That’s where your photos come in.
Each one captures a different part of your experience, from the excitement of departure to the friendships you made and the confidence you built along the way. Looking through them months or even years later is one of the easiest ways to relive those memories.
So, how many of the 15 can you tick off?
Save this list before you travel, keep it handy during your study holiday and see if you can complete the challenge before it’s time to fly home. And don’t forget to tag Astrolabio in your favourite photos. We’d love to see your adventure through your eyes.
