From the streets of Osaka to the campus of Tokyo. What Mr. S found at Waseda University was a place where he could build bridges between different cultures.International exchange through dormitory life and new discoveries in everyday life.How are his days at Waseda expanding his dreams and horizons?

A big reason I decided to go to Waseda was that I wanted to go to Tokyo.I'm from Osaka, but when I was in my first year of high school, I went to Tokyo for the first time and thought, ``There's so much Umeda!''What surprised me the most was that there were so many people from overseas.I used to talk to foreigners at places like Osaka Castle and give them tourist information (lol).I liked communicating with people from other countries, so I worked hard on my English and volunteered as a guide...I'm currently working as an RA in the dormitory, but I guess I had a strong desire to help people even back then.

Connect your friends and expand your circle

I am very satisfied with my life at WID.Since the spring semester of my first year, I have been blessed with friends from many different backgrounds.Exchange students from overseas, returnees, graduate students, people with working experience... my horizons expanded by interacting with a variety of people. Even before I became an RA, I was trying to expand my circle by connecting Japanese friends who wanted to interact with people from other countries but didn't have the opportunity to do so with foreign friends.We all played badminton and went to Kamakura.There are about XNUMX dormitory residents, so I'm sure you'll find someone you get along with.The fact that the rooms are private and provides a private space may also be a reason why they are able to build good relationships.

Things you don't notice when living in Japan

I think WID is really suitable for people who want to study abroad.First of all, it doesn't cost that much when you move out of your house.Since the room isn't that big, I only have the furniture I need, so I'm very light.Also, I often hang out with my dorm residents from Oceania, who have experience in the workforce, and they ask me things that I wouldn't notice if I lived in Japan. People might wonder, ``Why are there pictures like this on the manholes?'' or ``If Sugamo is so lively, why aren't there any young people there?''We are seeing familiar scenery from a completely different perspective.It's like being able to interact with different cultures while still being in Japan.You can ask people from those countries about the countries you are interested in, so I think it's good to be able to experience different cultures through dormitory life before jumping into a foreign country.

I want to do a job that connects Japan with other countries.

When you move away from your parents' home like this, you feel a renewed sense of gratitude towards your parents.Before I moved to Tokyo, I was in a bit of a rebellious period...The food I make with my friends in the kitchen and the food served at Dormy are delicious, but my mother's food is by far the most delicious.As soon as I moved to Tokyo, I started thinking that I wanted to see my parents more.I think I am who I am today because of the influence of my father, who often did business overseas, so I hope to be able to repay him someday.In the future, I am aiming to work in an industry such as trading.I would like to be able to do work that connects Japan and other countries, and that conveys the charms of each country.

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