Three international students use rooms, objects, and routines to describe what home means while living in New York. Each subject unfolds as a short visual sequence.
Photographs by Chengchao Li
15 photographs
Select any photograph to view it uncropped.
Rachel Zhong
Rachel Zhong, 23, lies beside ski medals and certificates earned during her years at Boston University. New York, Nov. 22, 2025.Rachel Zhong displays film negatives she developed in New York. Nov. 22, 2025.Rachel Zhong stands in her bathroom, reflected in both the wall mirror and the vanity mirror. Nov. 22, 2025.Rachel Zhong displays parking tickets she received in New York. Nov. 22, 2025.Rachel Zhong opens a refrigerator covered with magnets collected while traveling and received from friends. Nov. 22, 2025.
Christine Cheng
Christine Cheng, 23, rests at her desk after completing algebra homework. New York, Nov. 19, 2025.Afternoon light falls across Christine Cheng as she rests on her bed. Nov. 19, 2025.Christine Cheng stands in the laundry room of her apartment building. Nov. 19, 2025.Christine Cheng prepares coffee in her kitchen. Nov. 19, 2025.Christine Cheng kneels between the kitchen and entryway to open a package. Nov. 19, 2025.
Ziyuan Yin
Ziyuan Yin, 23, brushes his teeth at home, reflected in the bathroom mirror. Nov. 19, 2025.Ziyuan Yin reads The New York Times from a living-room recliner. Nov. 19, 2025.Ziyuan Yin studies at his desk, where journalism and computer-science assignments share the same surface. Nov. 19, 2025.Ziyuan Yin rests on his bed beside a stuffed toy. Nov. 19, 2025.Ziyuan Yin reaches into the refrigerator for a beer. Nov. 19, 2025.
Together, their homes reveal how international students build belonging in motion.