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Cornell Asia Study Abroad Experiences

The following is a collection of pictures selected by Cornell students who studied abroad in Asia to depict some highlights and beautiful moments of their experiences.

Angel Martinez


The following collection of pictures shows a few scenes and moments I found moving, perplexing, and relaxing during my stay in Kyoto with the Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies during the summer 2025 term. Though a short collection, I have tried to depict some of the main themes of my experience, through simple and mundane moments that invited introspection. I encourage prospective study abroad students to feel inspired at just how magical their everyday life could be.


In this event at Tōrin-in temple, we were encouraged to reflect on the brevity of life while cherishing Stewartia Flowers that bloom in the morning and fall by dusk.
In this event at Tōrin-in temple, we were encouraged to reflect on the brevity of life while cherishing Stewartia Flowers that bloom in the morning and fall by dusk.
Kyoto’s famous Fushimi-Inari Shrine does not bother cleaning up moss–a unique element of its aesthetic.
Kyoto’s famous Fushimi-Inari Shrine does not bother cleaning up moss–a unique element of its aesthetic.
Blending the distinction between nature and built environment, Murin-an garden made me feel a part of its gradient landscape, too.
Blending the distinction between nature and built environment, Murin-an garden made me feel a part of its gradient landscape, too.

Walking the dimly lit Philosopher’s Path at night became a nostalgic habit. 
Walking the dimly lit Philosopher’s Path at night became a nostalgic habit. 
Japanese dry landscape gardens invite nature into the mind itself by evoking contemplation on its depictions of life.
Japanese dry landscape gardens invite nature into the mind itself by evoking contemplation on its depictions of life.
With its beautiful summer green, this garden-filled retreat left me wondering just how beautiful Kyoto’s nature must be during other seasons. 
With its beautiful summer green, this garden-filled retreat left me wondering just how beautiful Kyoto’s nature must be during other seasons. 
Hōjicha–roasted green tea–and a cherry blossom-shaped Japanese-style sweet reminded me of the greatness of small pleasures. 
Hōjicha–roasted green tea–and a cherry blossom-shaped Japanese-style sweet reminded me of the greatness of small pleasures. 
Matcha at a Japanese garden presents a pleasant change in pace from the modern lifestyle.
Matcha at a Japanese garden presents a pleasant change in pace from the modern lifestyle.
A cat resting on a tatami room.
A cat resting on a tatami room.
The term Satoyama refers to a village at the foot of a mountain, and represents a sustainable lifestyle. 
The term Satoyama refers to a village at the foot of a mountain, and represents a sustainable lifestyle. 

One of the oldest festivals in the world, the Gion Festival is a part of Kyoto’s cultural identity and shows the strength of community. 
One of the oldest festivals in the world, the Gion Festival is a part of Kyoto’s cultural identity and shows the strength of community. 

Eliana Eats


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Nicholas Won

These photos span my fourth-month exchange at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Although they begin in Singapore itself, they mainly depict my intermittent travels with friends I made through the program. I would encourage any student studying abroad to immerse themselves in their host country while seizing every opportunity to explore exciting regions of the world.


Singapore


Early January - my first morning on the sunny NUS campus.
Early January - my first morning on the sunny NUS campus.

Looking up at the Marina Bay Sands, lit with indigo lights.
Looking up at the Marina Bay Sands, lit with indigo lights.
Patrons at the popular Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown.
Patrons at the popular Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown.
Boat Quay - late at night, with vacant bars and restaurants.
Boat Quay - late at night, with vacant bars and restaurants.
Early May - one of my final sunsets on the NUS campus.
Early May - one of my final sunsets on the NUS campus.
The iconic Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport, Terminal Two.
The iconic Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport, Terminal Two.

Malaysia


Batu Caves, a complex of Hindu temples north of Kuala Lumpur.
Batu Caves, a complex of Hindu temples north of Kuala Lumpur.
The Petronas Twin Towers, standing 452 meters tall.
The Petronas Twin Towers, standing 452 meters tall.

Philippines


The sea and the sky, off the coast of a beach in Cebu.
The sea and the sky, off the coast of a beach in Cebu.
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, first founded back in 1565.
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, first founded back in 1565.

Taiwan


Jiufen, a famous mountaintop village east of Taipei, in the rain.
Jiufen, a famous mountaintop village east of Taipei, in the rain.

Hong Kong


A nighttime cityscape while descending from Victoria Peak.
A nighttime cityscape while descending from Victoria Peak.

Macau


The Grand Lisboa, looming over the city’s surrounding streets.
The Grand Lisboa, looming over the city’s surrounding streets.

Mainland China


Zhujiang New Town, a central business district in Guangzhou.
Zhujiang New Town, a central business district in Guangzhou.

Cambodia


The Bayon, a Khmer temple at Angkor. Built around 1200 AD.
The Bayon, a Khmer temple at Angkor. Built around 1200 AD.

Indonesia


The sunrise seen from Mount Batur, an active volcano in Bali.
The sunrise seen from Mount Batur, an active volcano in Bali.

Vietnam


Bustling traffic outside Bến Thành Market in Saigon.
Bustling traffic outside Bến Thành Market in Saigon.
Captured from a motorbike on the Ha Giang Loop route.
Captured from a motorbike on the Ha Giang Loop route.
A dark, quiet alleyway in Hanoi. Located near the Old Quarter.
A dark, quiet alleyway in Hanoi. Located near the Old Quarter.

Japan


Cherry blossoms. Captured in the Tohoku region in mid-April.
Cherry blossoms. Captured in the Tohoku region in mid-April.

The morning sunrise from an apartment rooftop in Tokyo.
The morning sunrise from an apartment rooftop in Tokyo.
The big yellow backpack I used throughout my travels in Asia.
The big yellow backpack I used throughout my travels in Asia.

South Korea


Bukchon Hanok Village, with Namsan Tower in the distance.
Bukchon Hanok Village, with Namsan Tower in the distance.

EDC Korea, taking place in Incheon, just west of Seoul.
EDC Korea, taking place in Incheon, just west of Seoul.

Kevin Chang

Hi! My name is Kevin, and I’m a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences majoring in Information Science. 

As an international student from Taiwan, my friends and my family sometimes wonder why I wanted to study abroad when I’m already abroad at Cornell. To me, studying abroad isn’t about being away – throughout the past years, I realized that the most rewarding personal growth and learning experience come from immersing myself in the unknown. It is through the process of finding my place, meeting new people, and trying new things where I was able to internalize how I want to make an impact on the world with the education I received. During my time in Singapore, I took classes about their economic policies, tropical ecosystems, and ethnic culture history. I worked with a professor there to further my interest in User Experience research as well. However, the following photos are here to show what my life abroad beyond the classrooms look like, to give my readers a sense of what it means to be living abroad in addition to studying abroad. I hope you enjoy learning about my journey as much as I did!


My second day in Singapore! Met up with exchange students from all over the world to enjoy some local food at Lau Pa Sat Hawker Centre. 
My second day in Singapore! Met up with exchange students from all over the world to enjoy some local food at Lau Pa Sat Hawker Centre. 
When the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple lights up at night, all of Chinatown gets to experience the festive energy of the Lunar New Year.
When the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple lights up at night, all of Chinatown gets to experience the festive energy of the Lunar New Year.
The iconic Merlion symbolizes Singapore’s journey from a humble fishing port to a modern global hub.
The iconic Merlion symbolizes Singapore’s journey from a humble fishing port to a modern global hub.
I had the opportunity to travel to the Philippines during my time abroad. This is from the the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring an 8.2km navigable underground river carving through limestone caves, recognized as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
I had the opportunity to travel to the Philippines during my time abroad. This is from the the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring an 8.2km navigable underground river carving through limestone caves, recognized as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
We rented a motorbike and rode around Palawan, Philippines to appreciate the natural beauty of the island.
We rented a motorbike and rode around Palawan, Philippines to appreciate the natural beauty of the island.
I took the course “Ecology and the Environment,” and we sure did take advantage of the tropical climate there to hike as early as 6am in the morning to birdwatch and catch some early risers. 
I took the course “Ecology and the Environment,” and we sure did take advantage of the tropical climate there to hike as early as 6am in the morning to birdwatch and catch some early risers. 

During my trip to Bali, I traversed to Mount Batur with a Jeep. This place is famous for its dramatic Black Lava Fields created by major eruptions, especially the significant flows from 1963 and 1968.


I took a few days to bike around Vietnam's northern highlands, known as the Ha Giang Loop. It is known for its dramatic mountain scenery and being one of the most dangerous roads to travel on.
I took a few days to bike around Vietnam's northern highlands, known as the Ha Giang Loop. It is known for its dramatic mountain scenery and being one of the most dangerous roads to travel on.
This is Sky, my motorbike driver who I befriended during my trip to Ha Giang. He introduced me to the rice wines and coffee made local in Vietnam, even teaching me a chant they always do at dinner celebrations: “Mot, hai, ba, zo!”
This is Sky, my motorbike driver who I befriended during my trip to Ha Giang. He introduced me to the rice wines and coffee made local in Vietnam, even teaching me a chant they always do at dinner celebrations: “Mot, hai, ba, zo!”

Beyond exploring many terrains on land, I also went scuba diving in Malaysia! I was lucky enough to visit Tioman Island, which was completely untouched and roamed by sea turtles. 


This is definitely one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had during my time abroad. Walking in the streets of Ha Noi, I initially found interest in Mai Bo’s artwork, but a brief greeting turned into a 2-hour conversation fully on translating tools between Vietnamese and English. I learned about his passion for music and art, as well as his dream to bring his interests back to his family-owned coffee shop. We ended up exchange contacts so I could send photos to him, and although we don’t keep in touch beyond that, it was truly a pleasure to be in touch with locals during my visit. 
This is definitely one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had during my time abroad. Walking in the streets of Ha Noi, I initially found interest in Mai Bo’s artwork, but a brief greeting turned into a 2-hour conversation fully on translating tools between Vietnamese and English. I learned about his passion for music and art, as well as his dream to bring his interests back to his family-owned coffee shop. We ended up exchange contacts so I could send photos to him, and although we don’t keep in touch beyond that, it was truly a pleasure to be in touch with locals during my visit. 
In 2008, George Town in Penang, Malaysia was given the UNESCO World Heritage designation. This inspired many other artists, leading to a vibrant scene with diverse works, including storytelling wire sculptures and animal-themed art, transforming historic streets into open-air galleries that blend heritage with contemporary creativity.
In 2008, George Town in Penang, Malaysia was given the UNESCO World Heritage designation. This inspired many other artists, leading to a vibrant scene with diverse works, including storytelling wire sculptures and animal-themed art, transforming historic streets into open-air galleries that blend heritage with contemporary creativity.



 
 
 

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