Mr. A, who was born in Seattle, USA, found a stage at Waseda University where all his dreams could come true.A free curriculum that allows you to challenge classes in other faculties, international exchange at WID.How has her life at Waseda shaped her personality?

After graduating from high school in Seattle, I was accepted to UW (University of Washington), a sister school of Waseda University, but I always wanted to go to Japan.Moreover, I heard that Waseda can take classes in other faculties, so let's go to a place where we can do everything we want!So I decided to go to Waseda in Japan.

I had a choice between living in a dormitory or living alone, but I thought WID, which is close to the university and has private rooms, would be attractive.When I joined, I think it suited me because I could meet people every day and events were held frequently.

Some children will be able to speak English before they know it

Her father is American and her mother is Japanese.At home, she could only speak Japanese for daily conversations, so she didn't have much confidence in her language skills...But WID is an international dormitory and there is a community of international students, so I was relieved.Even if I switch between Japanese and English, people don't mind at all.There are times when good words come out only in Japanese/English, but I'm grateful that there are so many people who understand that.I think it's amazing that you can gain confidence in other languages ​​while communicating in your own language.There are children who could only speak Japanese, but before they knew it, they were speaking English.

A life that respects each person's relationship

I think the good thing about WID is that you can meet people when you want to, and you can be alone when you want to spend time alone. As an RA, I manage the dormitory students, and I don't see them very often, but I think they're probably studying in their rooms, so I try not to interfere too much.Everyone respects their relationship.Also, in a dormitory, parents can feel at ease.There is a dormitory manager and a dormitory mother, and there is a cafeteria, so I don't have to worry about food.I think it's safe to have separate men's floors and women's floors.

I wanted to experience Waseda more

I regret that if I had been interested in clubs and RAs since I was a freshman and researched them, I would have been able to experience Waseda more.When I first entered school, I couldn't go to school because of the coronavirus, and I didn't know the information, so I think it was a waste.

I'm currently in a painting circle, but lately I've been into pencil drawings. I'm sometimes asked, "What is the theme of your creation?"A shape comes up in my head and I think, ``Oh, I want to draw something like this,'' and I replace it with something that actually exists and draw it.Until now, I've only drawn small pictures, so next time I'd like to draw a big one.

(Photograph: Satoshi Shirahama / Text: Yoko Oike / Interview: Yasuhiro Nishi)