Operated by Waseda University(S.M.)EventSI ProgramsLife in the dormFieldwork trip13from residentsWaseda University Student Dormitories Waseda International Student House WISHYou Won’t Forget This OneIn recent years, the WISH RAs organize two major events to welcome new residents; one is the April barbecue and the other is the September sports festival. When I moved in last September (2019), I remember feeling, like most people who just moved into the dorm, unsure about how to get to know people better and how to make friends. To be honest, before the sports festival, the thought of playing sports and games with people I didn’t know made me a bit afraid with the idea that I might embarrass myself. Thinking back, however, it was probably through these games and sports that I was really able to get to know people by forgetting about any self-created barriers of awkwardness or politeness. I would never have hugged some random person so aggressively trying to pop a balloon in the obstacle race or run after people I barely know to steal their “tail” tucked in their pants in a game. However, by trying to win things together with teammates, and cheering on friendly but unfamiliar faces, we could get to know each other faster and more genuinely. At WISH, there are so many events like these that get you knowing people naturally through different activities. Just like the sports festival helped me to make many new friends, I’m sure any event you go to at WISH will leave you with new or closer university dorm friends and memories to smile back about. (M.F.)Expand Your Perspective!Every day we pass by people with different backgrounds, jobs and ideas, but we seldom have the opportunity to hear from them and exchange our thoughts and ideas. However, the Social Intelligence program at WISH offers this opportunity almost every day of the week! Speakers from varied nationalities, careers, educational backgrounds and interests come and impart their knowledge and expertise, allowing residents to expand their perspectives and engage in discussion with their peers on topics that don’t often come up in everyday conversations. These discussions have helped me to develop communication skills that foster the spread of ideas by giving me practice in overcoming language barriers and cultural differences. Each week I enjoy this interaction with my dormmates that has created a community of people eager to grow and learn. As I search for career interests, I appreciate learning from different people like a creative director at Amazon, a Waseda robotics researcher and an Ikebana teacher. I think the SI program has much to offer, whether you know what you want to do or are still searching. Often times our inspiration is sparked from the people we come across and the ideas they present. The SI program is a valuable opportunity to find this inspiration allowing us to discover new goals, careers and perspectives. (S.S.)Living with Diverse Perspectives: Embracing Life with Fellow WISH ResidentsWISH attracts companions from all over Japan and the world, each with their own diverse backgrounds. Daily life with these companions is filled with excitement, surprises, and discoveries. Our shared living experience transcends language, race, religion, and culture, making it incredibly fulfilling.For instance, I have always been interested in Spanish, so I learned expressions used in daily life from my Mexican friend, which only a native speaker could teach me. In return, I taught him Japanese language, culture, and customs. I have also engaged in all-night debates about politics and international affairs with a friend who is Australian/Japanese and a friend who returned from the United States. Their sharp observations from perspectives I had never encountered before were incredibly fresh and impactful. Their opinions have greatly influenced my subsequent thoughts and my studies at university.In this way, at WISH, you will encounter companions with diverse values and have many valuable experiences that can only be gained from different backgrounds. An exciting and enriching two-year WISH life awaits you! (K.M.)A Four-Day Journey of Learning and EncountersFor international students like me who come to Tokyo to study abroad, we rarely have the opportunity to explore rural areas of Japan. Therefore, being able to participate in the Fukui Study Tour was a valuable experience. In our four-day schedule we were able to do all sorts of things such as going dinosaur museum, a textile factory, temples, etc.I became aware of the challenges the city is facing, such as aging population and low tourism through interacting and hearing discussing with experts and locals. Together with students from the Fukui Prefectural University, we collaborated and analyzed these challenges and prepared a proposal to boost the tourism at the city. I also learned about the importance of supporting local businesses and the history of Fukui's trading network. Further I had the opportunity to interact with students from different backgrounds and perspectives which undoubtedly enriched my cultural understanding and expanded your social network. In those 4 days I was able to gain new experiences, meet new friends and most importantly appreciate the uniqueness of Fukui prefecture. I believe this kind of study tours go beyond the traveling experience, they immerse you in the culture and you learn much more than you could if you went there by yourself. AMessage
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