Beatriz Posada ’13 likes to immerse herself wholly in the culture and the cuisine of her host country. She’s normally a vegetarian, but when she’s abroad, all rules are off. For her project, she started by exploring delicious Japanese food and spread her focus to include the importance of fish to the culture of Japan, an island nation that is dependent on the ocean around it.

Joe Arellano ’14 finds the rich history of Japan fascinating. He branched into sports photography — a new challenge — to document kendo. As he observed the Asia Pacific University kendo club, Arellano explored the intricacies and beauty of this ancient Japanese sword art and how much it means to its practitioners.

Hill White ’12 enjoys leisure fishing at home in the United States, but in Japan, he turned his attention to industrial fishing. With a new friend translating, he followed the journey of a fishing haul — from daily auctions at 5 a.m. to markets and restaurants where expert sashimi chefs ply their trade with a master’s hand.

Olivia Swales ’14 was struck by the mix of old and new in Beppu, which is inhabited by traditional (but spry) elders and young university students. She set out to capture what makes Beppu unique, from its eccentric shopkeepers to the red-light district for which the city is well-known. Along the way, she embraced the cultural quirks and traditions of her temporary home.