October 11- 13, 2008
No-border Camp
180 hopefuls sent in their applications to be a part of the ICC’s first ever “No-border Camp”. Unfortunately the ICC could only accommodate 40 of these – 25 international and 15 local students – who were selected by a random lottery. The final group of participants were a truly diverse bunch, from a variety of backgrounds.
♦Day one
Not even a gloomy sky could dampen the excitement of the lucky 40 participants as they assembled in front of the grand Okuma auditorium early in the morning. Before hopping on the bus to leave, each participant received a special camp t-shirt. From this point on, there was to be no asking each other where they came from, or sharing of real names. This was going to take some getting used to...
On the bus, camp staff explained the rules a bit more clearly: “I know it might sound a bit weird, but during this camp you are not allowed to share – or ask others – your real name, nationality, faculty or age.” A few puzzled looks arose from the group. “Which is why we want you all to think of a special nickname to use especially for this camp,” the camp staff continued to explain. It was also announced that no cell phones
were to be used for the entire three days, which was greeted unsurprisingly by disappointed groans. “You
guys might feel a bit outside of your comfort zone at first, but it’s
only for three days, after all. And in stripping away the
stereotypes that are often associated with nationality, we think
that you will 
all get the chance to know each other in a unique,
unbiased way.”
After arriving at the campsite in Kanagawa Prefecture, hungry participants enjoyed lunch in the adjacent cafeteria, after which the day’s activities begun. The orientation included a rundown of the general concept of the camp.
“The concept is simple. Get to know each other as individuals, not as nationalities.” An emphasis was also to be placed on team building. Participants listened attentively with anticipation of what was to follow over the 
next few days. It was clear this was not going to be your ordinary camp.
A few fun ice-breaking games followed the orientation, which had participants laughing up a storm.
← Another icebreaking game, “Human wisdom circle” saw teams competing for top place; the outcome of this game would also decide the order in which teams would perform by the campfire later that evening! After finishing, team mates took turns introducing one another to the entire group.
Participants found it difficult introducing each other avoiding their real name, nationality or faculty at Waseda – things we are usually used to talking about or asking when we meet someone for the first time. “What on earth should we talk about??” Through this activity, participants learnt more about relating to each other as individuals, rather than using labels.
After finishing up with the introductions, team mottos were decided, followed by each team preparing for the evening’s entertainment: group performances by the campfire! The theme for the performances was very simple. Make the audience laugh! Some teams took their time getting started, while others decided what they were going to do straight away.
Dinner outdoors: teams were responsible for making their own dinner – vegetable curry! Everything had to be done from scratch, including making the fire. A real lesson in teamwork!
←
Teammates helped each other out with the various tasks at hand.
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! I present to you this evening’s entertainment: the No-Border Comedy Show!”. Teams waited nervously for their turn to perform. Would they be able to make the audience laugh?? With only a very limited amount of time to decide and prepare, teams were rightfully apprehensive.
After the laughter had died down, a new game was introduced. Participants were now to each pull a message from a hat, and then try to locate the person with the same message as them. Chocolate was the reward for their efforts. This also provided everyone with the chance to talk to other people outside of their own team!
Finally, participants formed a big circle around the campfire to sing the Waseda anthem “Konpeki no Sora” (Deep Blue Sky). Even those who hadn’t heard the song before soon picked up the rhythm!
Initial anxieties about the camp were all but forgotten as the first fun day of activities came to a close. Before bed, participants wrote about the day’s experiences in a journal.
♦Day two
The second day of the No-border Camp saw participants put on their hiking shoes for a spot of hiking @ Mt. Takatori, located behind the campsite! This was to be no regular hiking excursion however: at various locations around the hiking trail, camp staff were waiting with various challenges for our teams. Each challenge was selected by random, and ranged from physical exercises to quizzes, skits, and other unexpected challenges.
← Bags packed, ready to go!
The hike was long and the challenges many; however once each team reached the top of the mountain it was all worth it. The spectacular view was not something that could be experienced back in Tokyo. Needless to say, teammates also got to know each other better during the hike.
The afternoon was all about relaxing. Some played games with new friends, others just chilled out and recovered from the morning’s hike.
After relaxing, it was time to start cooking! Tonight’s menu would be... seafood pilaf and pot-au-feu! Once again, each team had to do everything themselves. Learning from last night’s mistakes, there was an overall improvement seen with all teams.
←
“We imagined ourselves as different animals,
each with a unique role important to the
success of our team.”
After dinner, all of the teams came together for a discussion of the day’s activities. Teams also talked about their individual team dynamics, and how they were faring together with all of the activities. By listening to each other’s presentations, participants were able to objectively reexamine their own team’s behavior.
Finally, it was time for participants to write in their journals about the day’s experiences. Time really does fly when you’re having fun – second day over all ready!
♦Day three
“It’s hard to believe today is day three!” Breakfast together on the final day of the camp. Another big breakfast for another big day of activities!
Teams reshuffled in the morning to participate in a workshop: “Alien Among Us”. In their new teams, participants discussed what type of person they would take with them if they were to visit another planet, and the reasons why.
Finally, after 3 days of secrecy, it was time to reveal each other’s real name, nationality, and faculty! Not that it really mattered in the end – 
even without knowing these things participants became good friends and got to know each other well during the duration of the camp. Nonetheless, it was interesting to hear about participants’ impressions of each other during the camp, and how this changed after hearing each other’s respective profiles.
← “No way! I didn’t expect you to be from there!”
In taking part in the No-border Camp, participants learnt that it is not always possible to judge a book by its cover – certain stereotypes regarding nationality really are only stereotypes! What’s important is getting to know each person as an individual, without applying too many labels and preconceptions. No doubt on the way back to Tokyo everyone had plenty of food for thought.
♦Comments from Participants♦
Vietnam, Female
There is no such thing like "nationality" in our No-Border Camp. It really meant we could work out everything without our nationalities. Nationalities or language barriers are something we can overcome if we have the same goals, share some interest (ex: love No-Border Camp!)
America, Male
Nationality shouldn't define a person. While it may be interesting to discover, we should base our thoughts and impressions with a person on their personality and character.
Pakistan, Male
I don't know how to say it but I would like to remove this "tag" of my "nationality" because I felt so great to be out of borders in nationalities. No logics but just a feeling. No ethos but not senseler either. Not because of the bad image my country has, but because of feelings that I experienced in the No-Border Camp.
England, Female
I have come to realize that nationality is very important, but should not be allowed to dominate your relationships.
America, Male
I guess it's something everyone should ideally know but this camp went to great lengths to get rid of borders and it worked - we had fun and we completed tasks together and our nationality didn't matter.
Japan, Female
I think that it’s important to try to understand people as individuals, not based on stereotypes. We should also endeavour to have the flexibility to accept other people’s points of view, while believing in our own ideals at the same time.
China, Male
I learnt more about the importance of communication that crosses the border of language, and also about expressing oneself. I plan to use this valuable experience in the future to further improve myself.
Vietnam, Female
There may be borders on the world's map but not in your mind. Maybe it is, so this is the chance for you to erase those barriers and re-map your mind. you're surely be amazed by how broad it can be!
Japan, Male
I have to admit that once you know someone’s nationality, your opinion of them can change. If I knew my fellow teammates’ nationalities before joining this camp, I might have treated them differently. The same goes for academic background. You might think that you are getting to know someone, but after hearing about different people’s backgrounds, you realize that you might only be interested in the image that your have created of them.
