TUFA for short.
This photo catalog captures a study abroad experience in Hong Kong. But not just any study abroad experience, one during the full-fledged protests against the 2019 extradition bill in Hong Kong. That means tear gas in dorm rooms, universities with students under siege by the police, missing people, yet surprisingly with some bits of fun in between these tragedies.
There are two reasons for the name of this photo catalog. First unruly needs no introduction; and second tufa; a common limestone formation which looks like stalactites. There were tons of tufas in the places I got to climb while in my unconventional abroad experience. The catalog explores the philosophy and learnings about the culture from the countries I got to visit.
HONG KONG
the city of extremes
This is a city that has contrast embedded in its roots. I chose this destination for my foregin exchange without much thought, just knowing it had a good university and a completely different culture from mine. Yet, I was surprisingly welcomed to an amazing city with amazing nature. This is where the balance begins. The name Hong Kong even has a yin yang sound to it. From the cityscapes to the landscapes, from the richest of rich to the poorest of poor. The city is intensely diverse, you have everything you might want or need. This is the start of The Unruly Foregin Adventures, where we go on a journey through the power struggle between democracy, freedom of speech, liberty vs communism, authoritarianism, regulation, and censorship. Let the semester begin...
SOUTH KOREA
Nature, partying, and hard work
My journey led me to South Korea—a land where ancient traditions and cutting-edge technology coexist harmoniously. In Seoul, the vibrant culture was evident in the bustling streets, where neon-lit skyscrapers stood alongside historical palaces like Gyeongbokgung. The city’s markets, especially Gwangjang Market with its vibrant food stalls, stood out. An old lady there served up traditional Korean dishes that left a lasting impression. The energy was infectious, and South Koreans sure know how to party. Shout out to Soju-Bombs—if you haven’t heard of them, look it up; it’s worth it. Yet, beneath this lively exterior lies a society grappling with social pressure, where looking good and excelling are paramount. The "work hard, play harder" ethos was palpable, with excessive drinking often serving as an escape from daily stress. One morning, after a night out, I ventured to a nearby convenience store for water, feeling under-dressed compared to the impeccably styled locals—a testament to the pressure to maintain appearances, even on quick convenience store runs. While the pressure was there, the style was definitely appreciated and admired.
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I stayed at Jin’s Paradise, a hostel run by the incredibly charismatic Jin. Jin was a one-of-a-kind, crazy Korean, and a tremendous host. He even challenged me to a push-up contest in a wager for the next round of beers. He would often chat about how everyone would go out hard but still rise early to hike around Seoul’s scenic trails. This love for nature was evident in how the city was intertwined with nature. Beyond the urban sprawl, I found solace in the serene landscapes of South Korea. The tranquil beauty of Baekyangsa Temple in Jangseong County, with its serene Buddhist retreats, offered a stark contrast to the bustling city life. The temple stay left lasting life lessons, that I still to this day remember fondly. Don’t always use a knife to cut, or you will become a knife.
HONG KONG
Continued
As the unrest grew, signs of the protests started to arise in everyday life.
YANGSHUO
Infinite Climbing
Infinite climbing and infinite tufas, a climbing term for stalactites. This is where I learned to start to truly climb and what a place to embrace the learning. This is why the catalog is title TUFA. As it is the fine balance between fun adventure and chaotic disorder of my study abroad.
JAPAN
Presicion, Craft, and Care
Japan was life-changing. I was absolutely astonished by the level of detail embedded in every aspect of daily life. From gardeners trimming leaves one by one, to construction workers smoothing out dirt with their own feet—it felt like every action, no matter how small, was done with care.
Trains ran to the second. There were officers stationed just to help you cross the train tracks. Everything was designed, executed, and maintained with such a sense of precision, presence, and pride. And to be honest, it was a breath of fresh air.
I’ve always appreciated attention to detail and craft. It’s something that brings me a lot of joy. So to be immersed in a culture where that wasn’t just a niche trait but a collective value—it was nothing short of extraordinary. It wasn’t just individuals—it was a whole way of being. A culture that respects its craft, its systems, its people. Everything felt intentional. Well thought-out. Well made. But what truly blew me away was how this precision and care extended beyond process—it showed up in the beauty of everyday design. Japan doesn’t just function well—it’s beautiful in how it functions. From the modern lines of the Port of Yokohama to the timeless charm of Kyoto’s hidden corners, even the smallest villages felt carefully composed, like they belonged to something larger.
There’s a reverence for things. For space. For the way a garden is shaped, a dish is plated, a sign is painted. And it’s not pretentious—it’s just part of the culture. A quiet commitment to excellence that left me with a deep sense of peace and satisfaction. I’d go back in a heartbeat. And I will—because there’s still more to learn.
The whole experience was eye-opening. When we stay in our cities, surrounded by the familiar, it’s easy to think this is just how life is. We forget that the way we live isn’t the only way. We stop feeling like foreigners. We stop being curious. But stepping into another culture reminds you: there are countless valid ways to be human. To build. To love. To work. To care. And the real magic comes when you start asking— What should I take back with me?
From Japan, I take back their deep respect for one another. Their precision in action. Their craftsmanship in the everyday. And their quiet, powerful attention to detail. Next time I travel, I’ll carry this lens with me: What do I love about the culture I’m visiting? What values, practices, or mindsets are worth bringing home? And what do I learn about myself—my culture, my values, my way of being—in contrast? Because that’s the real gift of going somewhere new. Not just seeing the world, but letting the world change how you see.
HONG KONG
Continued
Tear gas in dorm rooms. Universities under siege by the police. Full-on riots across the city. Eventually, the 2019 extradition bill protests hit a breaking point.
This was the moment the university told us to go back home and do school remotely—before remote was even a thing back in 2019.
What you see in the following pictures is the aftermath of full-fledged riots in front of the HKUST campus, as well as some shots from inside the HKU campus. These pictures are historical. They’re part of one of the craziest things I’ve ever witnessed in my life. It made me realize that freedoms we often take for granted—like freedom of speech—aren’t a given in all countries. In many places, they’re a luxury, not a right. That experience made me appreciate the life we live so much more.
Some details to focus on from these pictures:
– You can see riot police confronting a poor man who’s just trying to cross the bridge, on what would have been another day in the life.
– Some of the protesters are standing in the background, watching the police from afar, observing how they move and behave.
– The streets are covered in thousands of bricks—the aftermath of full-on chaos.
– Inside the university, it looked like a castle prepared for war. Graffiti covered the walls. Bricks were stacked and lined up, ready to be thrown out through the windows. Supplies were scattered throughout—students had planned to last inside for days. Makeshift barricades were built facing the entrances to stop police from storming in. The HKU metro station was completely vandalized.
This was the moment when, amidst the chaos, I decided to make the most of the situation—and started traveling all around Southeast Asia. Everything was happening outside of my control. There wasn’t anything else I could do to support the efforts against the extradition bill.
I want to be clear—I don’t condone vandalism or violence in any way. The escalation of these riots is a clear example of what happens when peaceful protests spiral out of control. That said, the right to speak freely is fundamental. That right has been taken away from Hong Kong. Unfortunately, it looks like it will stay that way. It’s part of their new national laws now.
Before I left, I asked the local students at the university: “What can I do? What can we do to help?” Their answer was simple: “First Hong Kong. Then the world.” And just like that, my university exchange was over.
CHINA
Control, Cameras, and Connection
I immediately packed my bags and was off traveling. After the protests escalated, HKUST announced it was closing for the semester. It didn’t take me more than five minutes to start getting ready—I wanted to make the most of what was left of exchange.
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First stop was Beijing, and the only place I repeated during the semester: Yangshuo.
I left for China envisioning. I got to see what a mega city really is—total control. Forest rain with the government literally controlling when it rains to reduce the pollution in the air. Control over what family life looks like. How many kids or pets you should have. It’s wild.
Then there’s the entrance into China itself—the amount of cameras, the innate feeling of being watched. It’s something you can feel distinctly as you move through the country. It was a truly unique experience, one I hadn’t felt anywhere else before.
Then it was back to Yangshuo—this time, solo. There’s something interesting about traveling truly alone. You meet people you never thought you would—or never knew you would. Everyone carries their own stories, their own versions of how to live. It’s infinite, really. And it gives you perspective.
You get to know not just the world, but also about the world—through the people you meet along the way. You go to one destination, but you learn about seven or eight more—however many stories you cross paths with.
That’s something I really came to appreciate during my time in China. Climbing with different people, having different climbing partners—I learned what different lives can look like, and what it might mean to live a “good life” in someone else’s shoes. So when I travel now, and I meet people along the way, it always feels like there’s something to learn—from the different eyes you meet along the journey.
CHINA
Control, Cameras, and Connection
PHILIPINES
Familiar Chaos
We heard sirens from the windows, and helicopters above. After China, it was a quick pit stop back in Hong Kong to pack the rest of my things and leave them with a friend from the exchange—she was actually my onboarding buddy (thank you Sonia). The day I was there we hung out at a friend's apartment all day, hiding from the chaos below us. We swapped stories, we laughed and just like that we were off again. The plan: meet up with the rest of our exchange crew in the Philippines, specifically, El Nido on the island of Palawan.
From the moment we arrived, the place felt oddly familiar—an unruly yet somehow organized chaos that reminded me of Mexico’s energy, only in an Asian setting. It was gorgeous: white sandy beaches, jagged black‑and‑grey limestone cliffs shooting straight out of a deep‑blue sea. It felt like something straight out of a movie, with sailing tours that threaded between the monumental mountains.
Misadventures¹ blended right in with the postcard moments, and together they’re what made the Philippines unforgettable. The photos alone still spark the itch to explore, to chase the next horizon, and to remember how alive it feels to be somewhere completely new.
Travel has a way of humbling you. We spend so much of our lives in our immediate circles that we forget there's an entire world around us we've never seen. We're naive to think we know so much when in reality, we barely know anything at all. The more you travel, the more you realize how much beauty there is for us to experience—and how much richer it all feels when shared with friends you make along the way. There's something to be said about group dynamics, about truly enjoying those around you and making the absolute most of it. Sharing these experiences, rather than living them alone, makes every moment feel deeper, more meaningful, and simply more satisfying.
So why stay put? Whether it’s halfway across the globe or two neighborhoods over, the point is to explore. Try things. Keep your curiosity and your sense of wonder present. For me, this trip was a first real taste of remoteness: sunsets that dyed the sky every color you can name, islands that looked hand‑painted, and a reminder that the spark of exploration only dies if you let it.
Next stop Bohol and of course, chaos tagged along. One afternoon our tiny rental car slowly sank into the muddy road. Our tires spined but the car wouldn't budge an inch. We tried everything—rocks and log under the tires, all three friends pushing with all our might—but the car wouldn’t budge. With no signal, we could only wait and appreciate the landscape.
Soon we heard an approaching vroom of an engine. A gang of kids, no older than twelve years old, rolled up on a couple of motorbikes. and with the kindness of their hearts (and probably a bit of motivation from the fact that we had a pretty girl with us), they jumped in to help. Five kids plus three muddy college students later, we trudged the car through the mud, inch by inch, until it slowly came free—to our surprise and excitement. They even guided us to their aunt’s place to hose the whole thing down so the rental company wouldn’t leave us bankrupt for the mess.To them, that was the reward. The good deed, of course—but let’s be honest, they also got a spectacle. They watched spellbound as we washed the car. Prime entertainment for a 12-year-old kid: a college girl in a bikini, washing down a muddy rental. It still makes me laugh nostalgically to this day. And to their point… she was pretty good-looking.
The Philippines was the last place where this group of exchange friends was all together before we dispersed into our individual future travels and eventually headed home. Watching a stunning sunset amid what was supposed to be an impending storm felt like a perfect parallel to what the semester had been—a beautiful, chaotic adventure coming to a close. I long for those days: exploring new horizons, living experiences that feel endless, and doing it all surrounded by friends who made every moment unforgettable.
So—where will your next adventure take you?
¹ Speaking of memorable experiences, one day we had quite the misadventure. We rented scooters and spent the day at the beach—swimming, body surfing, and enjoying drinks in the sun. As dusk fell, we watched a beautiful sunset over the ocean, but as we prepared to head back, we realized our scooter’s headlight wouldn’t turn on. After multiple attempts (and removing everything we could), we accepted it was completely dead. We spent the next 30 nerve‑wracking minutes driving across the island in near‑total darkness, using only our cell phone lights to stay visible to cars. Luckily, the road wasn’t heavily populated, and we made it back safely—but let this be a reminder: always double‑check your rentals!