USC AALU FALL 2024 STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

As part of my undergraduate studies, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the AALU (Asian Architecture and Landscape Urbanism) program, an immersive exploration of architecture, urbanism, and landscape across Eastern Asia. This study abroad experience spanned vibrant destinations like Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore, offering me a front-row seat to the complexities of Asia’s architectural evolution—where ancient traditions meet cutting-edge modernity. Through collaborative workshops, lectures, and office visits to some of the region’s most innovative firms, I deepened my understanding of how local culture, history, and urban dynamics shape design. Beyond academics, this journey was filled with unforgettable experiences: sampling an endless array of cuisines from sushi in Japan to phos in Vietnam, and navigating diverse modes of transportation like bullet trains, tuk-tuks in Cambodia, and ferries in Hong Kong. This program not only broadened my perspective as a designer but also enriched my appreciation for the vibrant diversity and contradictions that define Asia.