Dormitory Desk, Student Affairs Section (Former Residence Life Center)Waseda University

I organized an SI program entitled “Let’s Try Model United Nations!” In collaboration with the Model United Nations Waseda Study Association, an officially recognized club of Waseda University, we recreated within the dormitory the kind of negotiations that take place at the United Nations—an institution that can often feel distant from everyday life.

I was motivated to host this program because, through my life at WISH, I realized that many residents have a strong interest in international issues, and I felt there was a natural affinity between their interests and Model United Nations. On the day of the event, not only students interested in international relations but also those eager to develop their negotiation skills through diplomatic simulations participated. Although some first-year students seemed nervous at first, once they began acting as ambassadors representing their assigned countries, the discussions quickly became lively and intense. A strong sense of unity emerged—so much so that it was hard to believe many of them had just met for the first time.

By providing hands-on experience, we were able to break down the perception that Model UN is “too difficult” and instead create an enjoyable yet academically stimulating space for exchange.
As the organizer, I felt a great sense of accomplishment in sparking intellectual curiosity and fostering peer connections among dorm residents.

(School of Political Science and Economics S.T.)

During the summer of my first year at university, I participated in an on-site training SI program in South Korea that profoundly reshaped my values and marked the beginning of my current study abroad experience in the United States. Having been born and raised in Kumamoto with limited exposure to foreign cultures, this program was far more than a trip overseas—it was my first opportunity to view Japan from an outside perspective.

Visiting Seodaemun Prison and the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) was particularly impactful . There, I experienced firsthand the differences in historical perceptions between Japan and South Korea, as well as the ongoing reality of division—insights that could never be fully understood through textbooks alone. The experience taught me the importance of going beyond the classroom and engaging directly with sources and individuals on-site, using all five senses to fully grasp reality.

Now, as a Japanese literature major, I am studying abroad at the University of California—known for its renowned programs in Asian Studies—driven by a desire to further explore Japan and East Asia’s international relations from multiple perspectives. Grounded in the mindset I cultivated through my time at WISH and my study abroad experiences, I aspire to become a bridge between people of different backgrounds and to promote mutual understanding across the international community in the future.

(School of Education Y.M.)

When I entered university, I didn’t have anything in particular I wanted to pursue, but SI programs became a major turning point that expanded my sense of what was possible.

Through a connection I made with one of the SI instructors, I became involved in organizing a business contest in Fiji. Encouraged by the instructor’s words—“If you’re going to do something, you might as well choose what excites you the most”—I also assisted in hosting an event called “Intellectual Bodybuilding,” featuring muscular men wearing glasses, in Sabae City, Japan’s hub for eyewear manufacturing. These were opportunities I never would have imagined encountering  in my ordinary university life.

SI programs also gave me early exposure to thinking about my future career. From my first year in university, I had the opportunity  to listen to professionals working at the forefront of companies like Bloomberg and Google, which helped me become more conscious of my future path at an early stage.

SI programs are full of opportunities that uncover unexpected interests and offer insights into broadening one’s expertise. How you make use of the opportunities provided—and how you connect them to your future—is entirely up to you. First, step into the world of SI and take the first step driven by your curiosity. Expanding your world during your first and second years of university will surely serve as a solid foundation for making the most of your third and fourth years—and of your life beyond university.

(School of International Liberal Studies K.Y.)

I believe the greatest strength of SI programs is that they offer opportunities that can enrich your university life and shape your future. Up until high school, we are placed in environments where we work toward relatively predetermined goals. In contrast, at university, we must first discover those goals for ourselves. Within the freedom of what is often called the “summer vacation of life,” taking the time to explore and plan for your future is incredibly important.

SI programs are rich in such insights and sources of inspiration, as they offer a wide variety of opportunities from career seminars led by Waseda alumni to Global Communication programs. In my own case, a program I joined simply because its title caught my interest ultimately became a turning point in shaping my current career path.

Not every program will necessarily have a life-changing impact. However, there is immense value in placing yourself in an environment overflowing with opportunities and possibilities. I strongly encourage you to take full advantage of the SI programs at WISH to make the most of your university years and your future endeavors.

(Alumnus now working in industry Y.T.)