Alumni Spotlight

Exploring new cultures and global perspectives in Japan

As Putney Student Travel celebrates 75 years, we’re sharing the voices of students whose experiences abroad helped shape how they see the world. For Cielo Moreno, those experiences included two programs in Japan: an Exploration program and an academic pre-college experience focused on business and international studies.

Cielo was drawn to Japan in part through family connections, but also through a desire to experience something new.

“I really wanted to explore somewhere different and kind of step out of my comfort zone by exploring a new culture,” he says.

During his academic program, Cielo studied business management and international business while also exploring the country firsthand. The combination of classroom learning and real-world experiences made the program feel very different from school at home.

“At one moment we were in a group circle listening to our teacher talk on the board and teaching us fundamentals,” he explains. “But then the next hour we were out in Japan on the streets, going to museums or visiting actual Japanese companies and seeing the experts themselves.”

Those visits, including meetings with professionals and cultural experiences like attending a sumo event, helped Cielo see how business operates in a global context.

“It really opened my mind in terms of international business,” he says. “I learned a lot of fundamental ideas and structures of business that shaped the vision I had of the world.”

Beyond the academics, the connections he made with classmates and instructors became some of the most meaningful parts of the experience.

“We had a dinner together at the end and just had an amazing time bonding over life,” he recalls. “My teacher taught me lessons not only about business but about the psychology of business and international relations that have really stuck with me.”

One of Cielo’s favorite memories came during a simple evening in Tokyo after a long day of activities.

“With our friends we went to a local place to get food and had a picnic in the park,” he says. “We ate together and played soccer. It was just a great time.”

Today, Cielo is still in touch with many of his friends and mentors from the program, with many of them continuing to connect through a group chat that spans the country.

Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue international affairs and finance, and even return to Japan one day to study again.

His advice to students considering a Putney program is to embrace the unknown.

“Step out of your comfort zone,” he says. “That’s where you’re going to learn about yourself and meet amazing people. Traveling somewhere new is a gift that keeps on giving.”

>>Click here to explore Putney’s Japan programs