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A photo taken during a trip to Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.

From Waseda to the world, and from the world to Waseda. "Study Abroad" reports on what students felt, learned, and realized through studying abroad, as well as cultural differences. This time, we introduce the experience of Nishizawa, who is studying at Waseda from Bolivia.

Cultural differences and the sense of distance between people: Days of growing as I confront Japan.

Mariana Mizuki Nishizawa (Clearless), 4th year student, School of International Liberal Studies

I am a third-generation Japanese-Bolivian, half Japanese and half Bolivian, and I grew up in Bolivia until I was 18. Perhaps because my family loves to travel abroad, I was a child who was interested in different cultures and values. I studied abroad in Japan when I was in junior high school, but I had trouble communicating with my classmates, so I decided to go to a Japanese university. I wanted to confront Japan again in my own way.

A photo taken with friends in Bolivia. The author is on the far left.

I chose Waseda University's School of International Liberal Studies because I felt it offered an international environment while also allowing me to thoroughly study Japanese culture. I believe that when studying abroad, it's not just about "which country you go to," but also "what kind of environment you live in in that country" that's very important.

Also, while researching Waseda University, I found a YouTube video about Waseda International Student House (WISH)  (hereinafter referred to as WISH). The video featured residents introducing their dormitory life and university life, and it had a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. The thought of "I want to live here" became one of the reasons I chose Waseda.

Since enrolling, I've made many precious friends at Waseda University and WISH. I lived in the WISH dormitory from my first year and served as a Resident Assistant (RA) from my third year. I was in charge of planning and managing events such as beach events, Christmas celebrations, and sports events. Currently, I'm also part of the events department, where I support the smooth running of all events and think about measures to increase the participation rate of dormitory residents. I also made an effort to actively communicate with dormitory residents on a daily basis and to listen to their concerns. I believe that being involved in community building with people from diverse backgrounds has contributed to my personal growth.

Photo on the left: At a WISH cherry blossom viewing event held at Nakano Shikinomori Park in April 2025. The author is on the far left.
Photo on the right: A Halloween event held at WISH in October 2025. The person dressed as a mouse, fifth from the right, is the author.

The most memorable class I took at Waseda was "Pacific Perspectives on Empire, War, and Globalization" (a course offered School of International Liberal Studies in 2023). I was able to learn about the history of Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia, focusing on Samoa and Palau, which I hadn't known much about before. It wasn't just a matter of reading from a textbook; it was a class that made me understand history through people's memories and experiences, and made me think about how it connects to modern society.

I also took a Bon Dance class. This photo was taken with friends who took the class with me. The author is the second from the left.

Through my university life, I learned many things, not only academically but also as a person. I learned about the subtle nuances of the Japanese language, how to use honorifics correctly, the importance of being punctual and respecting other people's time, and, by living away from my family, I also developed "independence"—the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle on my own.

My dream for the future is to work in design and art, fields I discovered through my studies at Waseda University that I am truly passionate about. After graduation, I would like to either work in a fashion-related field or study in Europe to deepen my research into the fashion business and VMD (Visual Merchandising) (*). I want to work hard with my own principles in mind, without being swayed by the opinions of others.

* Marketing that enhances consumer purchasing intent by incorporating visual elements into store layout and displays.

I want everyone to know that my homeland, Bolivia, is a country with diverse languages, cultures, subcultures, and a fascinating history. I also want you to know that the Bolivian people are very warm and value human connections. And I really want you to try the steak from my hometown, Santa Cruz de la Sierra. I think it's the best steak in the world.

A view of downtown Santa Cruz

～What surprised me when I came to Japan～

I grew up in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, a warm, sunny city in Bolivia. The people there are very friendly and sociable; it's common to smile at strangers on the street and greet them—it's almost considered polite. But when I came to Tokyo, I was surprised to find that even when I made eye contact with someone on the train or at the station and smiled, they often looked away. Honestly, it made me a little sad, but as time went on, I came to understand that it's a culture that values each other's personal space.

I find these cultural differences fascinating. I learned in Japan that the way people express personal space and kindness varies greatly from country to country.