[Event report] Waseda Campus Tour for International Students – September 2025
WAVOC Student Staff Leader (SSL): Nana Sugimoto
At the Hirayama Ikuo Volunteer Center, Waseda University (WAVOC), Student Staff Leaders (SSLs) plan and organize a variety of volunteer activities.
On September 25, 2025, we organized the “Waseda Campus Tour for International Students.”
With the kind support of campus tour guides and university staff, around 50 international students joined the event and enjoyed learning about Waseda’s facilities, history, and student life.
The tour included visits to major academic buildings, the Central Library, and cafeterias, along with introductions to student support resources such as the Intercultural Communication Center (ICC). These experiences helped participants imagine how they could study, connect with people, and utilize the campus in the coming months.
One of the highlights was a special tour of Okuma Auditorium, where participants were able to enter not only the main hall but also the VIP room and Romanesque-style cloister areas usually closed to the public. From there, we enjoyed a beautiful view of the Okuma Garden and took memorable photos together.
During the tour, participants also learned about Waseda’s founder, Shigenobu Okuma. His bronze statue depicts him standing with a cane, symbolizing his resilience after losing his right leg later in life. He often wore a bright scarlet academic gown, a vivid red color known as “hi-iro.” This striking color later inspired Waseda’s symbolic school color “enji”. Today, “enji” represents not only Waseda visually but also the enduring spirit, determination, and passion of the Waseda community.
Many participants shared that the tour helped them make new friends and feel more excited about their upcoming life at Waseda. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the campus tour guides and all participants for making this event a success. We also sincerely hope that all international students will have a fruitful and enjoyable student life at Waseda University starting this fall semester!!
WAVOC organizes a wide range of volunteer activities both on and off campus. We look forward to having international students join us and take part part in WAVOC’s activities together!
Again, welcome to Waseda University!
