Riley Blaber

Meet Riley

Riley is an English major minoring in education from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Riley takes advantage of Cornell and the surrounding Ithaca area to find unique and resourceful study spots, and she knows the very best day to go to a student-favorite café, Temple of Zeus.

What clubs/activities are you involved with on campus?

I am involved with Cornell Club Soccer and Ballet & Books Ithaca.

Why is the College of Arts & Sciences a great fit for you? 

I am so grateful to be in the College of Arts & Sciences because I can take exciting and fulfilling classes that contribute to my college requirements. The college has hundreds of eccentric courses, allowing me to craft a learning journey that is unique to me.

What is one piece of advice or something you wish you knew when applying? 

Coming from a place that is warm year-round, experiencing Ithaca winters was new to me. Be prepared for winter! Layering will be your best friend.

Where is your go-to place to eat on campus?

I love the coffee at Temple of Zeus. I usually order a regular iced coffee in one of their reusable cups. The coffee is not too expensive (especially if you use reusable cups!), and their mac and cheese is to die for on Wednesdays. 

Hometown

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Graduation Year

2025

College/School

  • College of Arts & Sciences

Majors

  • English

Minors

  • Education

I learned so much about religion, the cultural traditions of students from other countries, and languages. The diversity present at Cornell makes it the perfect place to learn from your community.

Tell us about your favorite thing to do in Ithaca.

My favorite thing to do in Ithaca is probably not very popular. I love going to the Ithaca Commons and sitting in the Tompkins County Public Library. I go to study and borrow books. They have so much study space! It is so nice to be immersed in the Ithaca community. Also, their new books section is updated almost daily. So, if you're looking for something to read that Cornell doesn't have, that's the place to go.

What is your favorite class so far?

My favorite class so far at Cornell has been Political Violence. I took it in the first semester of my first year. My professor lectured solely on ongoing conflicts, which made the class feel relevant and impactful. I appreciated that classes rarely felt the same. Some classes were in a traditional lecture style, some were flipped classrooms, and during some, we had debates. I was always excited to go to class.

What makes the Cornell experience unique?

Cornell is a melting pot of students from hundreds of different backgrounds. My first few weeks of school at Cornell were invigorating due to the number of fascinating people I was meeting. I learned so much about religion, the cultural traditions of students from other countries, and languages. The diversity present at Cornell makes it the perfect place to learn from your community.

Tell us about your favorite place to study.

My favorite campus study place is at the Libe Café in Olin Library. It's by far the best place to study on campus. I get my coffee and set up my computer right in front of the glass overlooking the Arts Quad. I get to people-watch while I do my work and am comforted by the hum of voices filling the cafe as students order coffee and converse with their friends.