Through these portraits of international students at the University of Hawai'i, Kiryu was investigating the complex notion of travel and specifically 'studying abroad' -- generally understood as students being 'elsewhere' for the purpose of learning.

Ironically, as Honolulu and countless sites around the globe have been increasingly altered by tourist industries to accomodate the 'needs' of travellers, one must wonder exactly where is 'elsewhere', and what is being learned.

Makoto Kiryu was an American Studies major.