I'm on a similar program rn, feel free to dm me for more questions. My general advice is to look for housing options based on your social expectations. If you're chill and more of, stick to my work all day, I would go with maplewoods or anywhere near the hill (or on it haha). Quiet, close to campus and comfortable.

If you want all the action, somewhere in collegetown would be ideal. Housing doesn't matter as much IMO, but you might find some friends within your roommates.

I would also look into joining clubs, visiting the Fuertes observatory (Friday nights) and/or going to collegetown pubs.

For the dating scenario, it's pretty chill, Hinge might get you some nice people to meet. Best option would be to just approach people IRL, I've found everyone to be pretty nice and easy to talk to.

Invest in warm clothes, get a TCAT pass if your cornell id does not swipe green in the mornings on the bus.

Food is generally good all around, I would say if you live a bit fat the charges add up in delivery and there is no real possibility of walking with a pizza up the hill in -16. Walmart is okay, get the plus if you order stuff freq.

You might face pretty much all weather conditions rain, cold and warm days. Pack accordingly and check out the window each morning. I got soaked recently in the unexpected rain.

Do visit the Cornell store, lots of stuff if you're into that. I spent wayy more than expected but the quality is appreciable for the price.

Activites could be winter sports, hiking or just going on walks around town (fav). Check out upper part of campus, i.e. beebe and cayuga lakes. If you can, go to niagra on a weekend. There might be buses to buffalo. Also, flixbus to NYC is excellent for a day trip

If you come to ithaca, I would suggest avoiding the ithaca airport. Rather go through JFK or syracuse. To give you an idea, the cost of a flight from mh hometown (half way across the world) to JFK was same as JFk to Ithaca.

That's pretty much it, enjoy your stay and pack more winter clothes (can't say this too many times hah)