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Waseda University Waseda International Student House (WISH) RA (Resident Assistant)
Kokone Shigemitsu, 4th year School of Culture, Media and Society 

At the entrance to Waseda University's Waseda International Student House (WISH) 

While studying on campus, students take part in activities and work that contribute to improving the value of the university. In this article, we will introduce some of the students who are involved in the important role of "student involvement/student jobs" at universities, and how they are involved. This time, we will introduce the daily life of Shigemitsu Kokone, a fourth-year student in School of Culture, Media and Society , who works as a Resident Assistant (RA) at Waseda University Waseda International Student House WISH  (hereafter referred to as WISH).

Q. How did you get started?

During my first year, I talked to the RA in charge of my floor about my worries about university studies and about the homesickness I felt after leaving my hometown of Hiroshima. I was so happy that he was willing to listen to me, and I wanted to support the dormitory students' lives in a way that was close to home, just like my seniors, so I applied to be an RA. As an RA, I want to support the dormitory life so that the students can feel truly at ease, not only in terms of their comfortable living but also in terms of their mental well-being.

Q. What kind of activities do you do?

Every March and September, we hold a dormitory welcome ceremony to welcome new students who are starting a new life at WISH, and we also provide a tour of the dormitory and answer any questions you may have.

The WISH RA organization has six departments: Lifestyle, General Affairs, Events, SI, Public Relations, and Accounting. Each department is made up of groups of 5 to 10 people, and each group works to improve WISH. There are meetings for all RAs twice a month, and meetings for the department they belong to once or twice a month.

Additionally, RAs are assigned to each floor of the dorm, and once a month events are held on each floor and across WISH as a whole, so they are involved in planning and running these events. Floor events include a whole-roast chicken on Thanksgiving in November, and a welcome party at the beginning of the semester. Overall events include a prom at the end of the semester in February, a barbecue around May, a beach event around July, and the WISH Festival around November.

WISH also runs an in-dormitory education program called the "SI Program," and RAs support the operation of this program and may also be in charge of planning and conducting courses for dormitory residents.

Left: A group photo of the RAs at WISH's entrance ceremony, striking the traditional Waseda double pose. To celebrate the new students' entrance and move-in to the dorms, the cheerleading and glee clubs performed, giving the ceremony a real taste of Waseda culture.
Right: New students are being explained the rules for living at WISH and upcoming events.

Q. Please tell us what you felt through the activities.

As I gain more experience as an RA, I feel I have acquired the ability to look around me and think ahead. Since I became a fourth-year student, I have placed special importance on supporting other RAs.

When I first became an RA, I was impressed by the support I received from many senior RAs. That's why I'm now working hard with the determination to support my juniors. As for the "ability to think ahead," unlike when I was a second-year student and worked frantically, I now have a firm grasp of the schedule for the entire year, which allows me to give accurate instructions to my juniors and smoothly complete my own tasks.

With fellow RAs at an event held at Tsujido Beach in Kanagawa Prefecture in the summer of 2024. Many of WISH friends participated, and  enjoyed the summer to the fullest by doing a beach flag relay and eating watermelon. The author is second from the right.

Q. What efforts do you make to balance your studies with multiple other things, such as student involvement and student club activities?

RA-related events and meetings are often held in the evening, but since I'm good at getting up early, I use the mornings to do my studies. I often also do my personal RA document preparations during this time. I belong to the Waseda University Tea Ceremony Society (an officially recognized student club), and once my RA activity schedule is confirmed, I try to find free time to participate.

Q. Please tell us about your future aspirations and challenges regarding your activities.

In this semester's SI Program lectures, I plan to introduce my experiences in university life, such as my studies and student club, to the dormitory residents together with several other RAs. Just as my world has expanded through Waseda University, WISH, and my RA activities, I hope that through this lecture, I can inspire many dormitory residents to become interested in new learning and challenges, not just in other places.

How I spend my week when classes are in session

A weekly schedule. Events on the floor I'm in charge of are held several times a semester.