Art Cover Design Contest

CSIET Art Cover Design Rules & Regulations

CSIET is currently hosting its 24th Annual Art Cover Design Contest! High school exchange students inspired by their experiences were encouraged to submit artwork representing the spirit of youth exchange and how it transforms the lives of young people. The winner’s artwork is featured on the cover of the 2026-2027 Advisory List, along with her name and CSIET-certified Exchange Program, as well as on the CSIET website. In addition, the winner receives a cash prize of $500.

Deadline to Enter: Tuesday, April 1, 2026

Rules & Regulations

MEDIUM

CSIET welcomes a variety of media–both designs produced by hand and computer graphic design. All artwork canvas size must be LARGER than 6 ¼ inches wide and 8 ½ inches tall (portrait orientation preferred). CSIET asks that students submitting graphic artwork provide one of the following:

  • an electronic copy of the artwork in either JPEG (.jpg), PDF (.pdf) or TIFF (.tif) format (at least 300 dpi resolution preferred)
  • a scanned copy of the original artwork. in either JPEG (.jpg), PDF (.pdf) or TIFF (.tif) format (at 300 dpi resolution or higher preferred)
    •  we recommend students talk to their school’s art or technology department about how to scan the artwork in the correct resolution.

RULES & RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Contestant must be a current high school exchange student through a CSIET-Certified Exchange Organization.
  • The book cover will be 6 ¼ inches wide and 8 ½ inches tall, so all submissions must be equal or larger to this canvas size.
  • Portrait Orientation is preferred
  • In order to enter the contest it is not required to submit a high resolution copy of the artwork. However, all artists must have the ability to scan their submission(s) in at least 300 dpi high resolution in order to be eligible to win the contest.
    • We recommend that students talk to their school’s art or technology department about how to scan the artwork in the correct resolution and how to make sure the artwork is presented clearly (ie. cropping any excess background and making sure the artwork image has good lighting).
    • If a finalist’s artwork is not submitted in high resolution, CSIET staff may reach out to the artist for a high resolution scanned copy of the artwork.
  • Please re-name the file(s) submission(s) to be the CSIET-Certified Exchange Program plus the student’s first and last name.
    • File name format: exchange program First name last name .jpg  (ie. PAX – Samiya Amin.jpg)
    • If there is more than 1 submission from a single artist, please put a number after the last name (ie. PAX – Samiya Amin2.jpg)
  • Please do not mail discs/flash drives with electronic files to the office. Submit electronically by uploading your file with this online form
  • a physically printed/hard color copy of the design will not be accepted.
  • There should be no reference to or depiction of specific exchange organizations, sports, or high school graduation in the artwork submitted.
  • Please avoid emphasis on specific countries in the artwork
  • More than one entry is permitted.
  • A short written description of the artwork is welcome, but not required.
  • Artwork should not incorporate the CSIET logo.
  • You may not use photo images or artwork that is not your own unless you have permission to use and publish it.

CSIET is now accepting submissions to the Art Cover Contest.

2025 Winner

Congratulations to Clarbel P., an exchange student Hong Kong. Carabel is a 2024-2025 full academic year student in the U.S.A. through ICES a fully CSIET-Certified J-1, F-1, and Outbound organization. Congratulations, Carabel!

A note from the artist: This artwork is inspired by my wonderful exchange journey during this year. In this special year, I had not only met people across the globe, I also had made friends with them, learned intriguing cultures and shared our stories. It was really fun and I enjoyed every second of it. Though we spoke different languages and carried different traditions, we still could come together, to understand and appreciate each other. This proved that we can work out together peacefully, our differences couldn’t stop us from loving each other when we truly communicate and respect each other.
In this piece, there are iconic landmarks on the puzzles. There are different people from around the world putting those pieces together to form a huge “Earth puzzle”. The composition of this art splits the upper and lower parts as day and night respectively. Doves flying around the corner and a “peace” logo on the plane.
The message I want to bring out is that even if we have different races, living in different places or time zones, we could still build our “home”, and connect each other peacefully like the puzzles . Also putting the puzzles together symbolize repairing our world’s ‘flaws’ by understanding and respecting each other.

Carbel P
Hong Kong

2024 Winner

Samiya A. an exchange student Bangladesh in 2023-2024 won the 22nd Art Cover Contest. She was a full academic year student in the U.S.A. through Program of Academic Exchange (PAX) and Laurasian Institution, a fully CSIET-Certified J-1 exchange organization.

A note from the artist: My artwork portraits my perspective on what an exchange year is. My artwork is inspired by experiences shared by many exchange students; including me. I feel like exchange programs create a strong sense of unity among everyone and symbolize global harmony. It’s just so amazing to meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. I have made a lot of friends from various countries. I loved learning about their cultures through various presentations. It’s really thrilling to share your culture with others and learn about theirs. One of my favourite experiences was when everyone wore their traditional clothing during our cultural presentations. Cooking and tasting dishes from my friends’ home countries with them were memorable experiences. However, the greatest gift of my exchange year was my host family. Having their support through the highs and lows of my journey has been invaluable. Having a family to care for you when you’re so far away from home is a blessing in disguise. I am really grateful to have them and proud to be part of this amazing exchange program. I still remember how excited I was when I landed here. As we stepped out of the airport, me and my friends held up our passports in front of our eyes. There was a feeling of excitement and accomplishment in my chest. It was a “I made it” moment for me and my friends. I know for sure that I’m going to cherish these moments and bonds for the rest of my life.

Samiya Amin
Bangladesh