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Deepen intercultural understanding and bonds at the Japan-China-Korea Honne Exchange Camp @ Kamogawa

In front of the event participant message board in the ICC Lounge Building No. 3 Waseda Campus. (From the left: Zhao and Osawa)

The popular "Japan-China-Korea Honne Exchange Camp @ Kamogawa" allows participants to discover the similarities and differences between their countries and deepen their ties with each other. This is an event where participants stay at the Kamogawa Seminar House for 2 nights and 3 days, and can exchange cultures through sports, meals, and time spent in their rooms, and talk to each other in lively discussions. We asked participants Zao, a second-year master's student in the Graduate School of International Culture and Communication Studies, and Osawa, a third-year student in School of Law, about the appeal of the event.

Graduate School of International Culture and Communication Studies Master's Program, 2nd Year, ZHAO Yulu
Momoe Osawa, 3rd year student School of Law

The schedule for the three-day, two-night trip. Participants deepened their friendships by taking walks along the beach in the morning and having a barbecue in the evening.

--What was the most memorable experience for you during the event?

Explaining "Banga" using gestures (Photo: ICC)

Zhao: On the first day, we played a card game called "Banga" as an icebreaker to promote intercultural understanding. It was memorable. We split into several teams, and each time we played the game, one member was replaced. The rules were slightly different for each team. However, we were not allowed to speak during the game, so even if we noticed that the rules were different, we couldn't ask or explain it verbally. It was interesting because it tested how much we could compromise and help each other as the game progressed.

Osawa: The question of whether you'll meet someone who can help you and succeed, or whether you won't and will continue to fail, is very similar to the situation of going to a place where you know nothing, and I felt the difficulty of sharing the same rules.

In addition, the Island Talk on the second day was also memorable. In Island Talk, participants are divided into groups (islands) and each group discusses a specific theme. Each participant writes down their image of Japan, China, and Korea and what they would like to talk about, and then chooses a topic to talk about from that. In addition to "views on love," "entertainment," and "cultural exchange," topics chosen included "territorial issues" and "historical issues," which are easy to avoid in everyday life. I chose the "textbook issue," and as we discussed it, I realized that there were descriptions in Japan that were favorable to my country compared to other countries, and I realized that I had unconscious prejudices and assumptions.

Zhao: The best thing about Island Talk was that I was able to gain the perspective that information in my own country's media may be biased in a way that is convenient for my country. Also, we chose different topics and gave several talks, and the first time, no one chose the sensitive topic of "territorial issues." However, from the second talk onwards, the atmosphere became more comfortable for everyone to talk, and it was striking to see that more people chose the topic.

Osawa: We deepened our relationship by switching seats on the bus on the first day from university to Kamogawa, and then while working up a sweat playing sports afterwards. I think it was because we took the time to communicate that we were able to discuss things that we would normally be too careful to talk about.

--Please give a message to Waseda students who want to participate in an ICC event but don't have the courage.

Zhao: I feel like the students who attend ICC events are open-minded and easy to talk to, so we can have friendly conversations. If you can just muster up a little courage to attend the event, I think you'll have some good memories!

Osawa: Until now, I didn't have many friends because I had the fixed idea that you had to make friends within the same community. Since participating in ICC events, I've been able to interact with people who have different experiences and backgrounds, which has been very refreshing and fun. I would especially recommend that people who think they're not good at communicating try participating in the events!

Just chat casually. It's okay even if you're not confident in your English! English Chat Club

Group photo at the English Chat Club, making the ICC "C" pose (Photo provided by ICC)

"English Chat Club" is an event where people meet once a week for a month to enjoy English conversation while chatting and playing games. We spoke to Yoshimura, a first-year master's student at the Graduate School Graduate School of Fundamental Science and Engineering who participated at the intermediate level. We also asked Jifu, a third-year student School of International Liberal Studies, a student staff member at ICC, for his comments on the appeal of ICC events.

Taichi Yoshimura, 1st year Graduate School of Fundamental Science and Engineering

-Please tell us why you decided to participate.

Yoshimura started studying English because he wanted to be able to watch his favorite foreign movies without translation. He likes Australia, where he studied abroad, and says he wants to travel abroad a lot.

I went on a short-term study abroad program for one month starting in February 2024. When I was thinking about creating an opportunity to continue speaking English so that I wouldn't forget it after returning home, a friend told me about ICC. I had a hard time continuing with paid online English conversation classes, but English Chat Club is face-to-face and free! I thought I'd give it a try.

--Please tell us about the atmosphere of the event and what you learned.

It was a lively atmosphere, just like everyday conversations with friends. There were three Japanese people and three international students in the group, and each group had a support student who would talk to them, so there was no shortage of topics to talk about. We talked about what was going on with each other, and in the activities provided, we played app games and werewolf games! The werewolf game, where you lie and make deductions in English, was difficult, but I enjoyed it because I could ask those around me without hesitation when I didn't understand English. In addition, I was able to learn from casual conversation that job hunting in other countries is not uniform like in Japan, and that there are various ways of thinking about work styles, so I'm glad I participated.

--Please give a message to Waseda students who are not confident in their English ability and are hesitant to participate.

Don't be nervous, just drop in and join with the feeling that you're making friends. I was a little worried that the people around me would be all returnees, but when I went, I found that there were a variety of people, from those who were there because they wanted a chance to speak English, to those who were using it to prepare for studying abroad. Everyone is there because they want to talk, so I think you can help each other and have a good time!

ICC Student Staff Jifu

People tend to feel safe in familiar environments and spend time only with people who have similar values and experiences. However, this means missing out on opportunities to be exposed to different perspectives and cultures. ICC's intercultural exchange events are a great opportunity to experience new languages and cultures and meet and interact with people from various backgrounds. Why not broaden your world by having fun conversations together during your precious time of growth as a student?

ICC is planning to hold an overnight event in the future. In addition to the English Chat Club, we also hold many events that you can just drop in to without needing to register, such as Let's Speak English! English Hour and Language Lunch. For more information, please check the ICC website.

A gender and sexuality center open to everyone

Learn in a safer space, make connections, and interact with guests!

At the Gender and Sexuality Center Main Waseda University Student Center Toyama Campus (Building No. 30)

We asked Tei, a second-year student at School of Fundamental Science and Engineering who became a student staff member after participating in events at the Center for Gender and Sexuality (Gender and Sexuality Center) and is now in a position to organize events, about the appeal of Gender and Sexuality Center 's various events.

Gender and Sexuality Center Student Staff, Tei, 2nd year student School of Fundamental Science and Engineering

- How did you find out about Gender and Sexuality Center events?

Before enrolling, I found Gender and Sexuality Center among the links on the website for enrollment procedures. Since I had always been interested in the center, I dropped by after Entrance Ceremony before classes started.

I was a little nervous at first, but I was surprised at how comfortable it was and how much I could talk to the specialist staff. I started going there after classes started, and it was fun to see how the student staff at the reception and book lending desk changed every day, creating a different atmosphere each time. I exchanged information about recommended classes with the student staff and other users, and spent my time freely doing my assignments quietly by myself.

--What kind of events are held at Gender and Sexuality Center?

In order to create a safer space, Gender and Sexuality Center events have "ground rules" such as not making assumptions about the identities or backgrounds of others.

I often participated in the "Chat Lounge," where small groups of people could chat casually while eating snacks. There were strict rules, such as only those who had registered to participate being allowed in, so I could talk without worry.

I also went to talk events where I could learn new knowledge about gender and sexuality, and WASEDA PRIDE PARADE, which had about 100 participants. Gender and Sexuality Center events are comfortable, so I can relax even on days when I'm tired from a lot of classes, which is what I find most appealing about them!

How do you plan an event?

All events are planned based on the concerns of student staff. I am surprised that I am involved in everything from preparation to hosting, but I also feel that it is very rewarding. In the future, I would like to create a space where participants can feel at ease, and also hold new events that make use of my strengths as a student at Nishi-Waseda Campus.

--Please give a message to Waseda students.

Gender and Sexuality Center main building in Waseda University Student Center and Waseda Campus No. 10 Building No. are divided into spaces where users can interact with each other and spaces where students can quietly read or watch videos. The photo shows the main building.

Gender and Sexuality Center is not just for LGBTQ+ students, but for anyone interested in gender and sexuality. You can eat your lunch or do your homework without any special purpose. If you are worried about participating in large-scale events, we recommend the Chat Lounge, which is held regularly with a small number of people! If you are uncomfortable with people showing their faces, the Chat Lounge in Japanese and English is held as a hybrid, and you can choose not to show your face if you participate online. Please also participate in the WASEDA LGBTQ+ ALLY WEEKS events, which include talk events with many participants and parades where you can join on the spur of the moment.

The 2024 WASEDA LGBTQ+ ALLY WEEKS is scheduled to be held from November 25th to December 6th. Please check the website for more details.

Waseda University Waseda International Student House (WISH) - A gathering of international students

Exclusive to dormitory students: SI program to develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills

Waseda International Student House (WISH) offers the SI Program (Social Intelligence Program) for those who wish to participate (some courses are compulsory). The SI Program is centered around group work to maximize the use of knowledge and skills acquired in regular university courses, and students can develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as a career perspective and communication skills. During long holidays in particular, students visit regional areas and overseas for practical training, not only to learn about the local culture, but also to consider ways to solve problems facing those areas. This time, we asked Shibata, a first-year student in School of Fundamental Science and Engineering, about the practical training he participated in over the summer.

Risako Shibata, 1st year student School of Fundamental Science and Engineering

Shibata:

I participated in two field trainings in the summer of 2024. The first was a field training on Mt. Fuji. In addition to actually climbing Mt. Fuji, I also participated in a clean-up activity in the Aokigahara Jukai forest with local high school students to realize the importance of environmental conservation, and learned about the environmental problems caused by overtourism. In addition, while making hoto, a local dish of Yamanashi, to understand the local culture, I was able to learn about the declining birthrate and aging population, and the differences in the efforts of Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture. The second was a training in Fukushima. I visited the records of the tsunami, toured the nuclear power plant, and exchanged opinions with local high school students about how to rebuild the disaster-stricken areas and the actual life of high school students after the disaster. I learned directly from various perspectives about the damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and I was reminded that we must not let the suffering of those who were affected by the nuclear power plant, especially the nuclear power plant, be forgotten.

About Student Diversity Center

At Waseda University, Student Diversity Center (SDC) works in collaboration with three offices: the ICC and Gender and Sexuality Center introduced here, as well as Accessibility Resource Center (ARC).

What is Accessibility Resource Center (ARC)?

In addition to making the necessary arrangements to smoothly implement reasonable accommodations in academic studies and providing information to Faculty and students using ARC, we also support participation in learning (ensuring "accessibility") through efforts to spread understanding of disabilities. For more information on our efforts, please check out this video.

[Next Focus Preview] "Founding Anniversary Edition" to be released on Monday, October 21st