"What is WID like?" "Dorm rules seem strict..."
I'm sure there are many people who have similar concerns and questions. This time, we spoke to three Waseda students who are actually living in "WID Waseda" about their real life there and what makes it so appealing. Each of them also works as an RA (Resident Assistant). We asked them to share their honest thoughts about dorm life!

This time I heard about…

• C (3rd year, School of International Liberal Arts)

• A (3rd year, Faculty of Education)

• Mr. R (3rd year, Faculty of Commerce)

"Just the right amount of freedom" feels good

First of all,Everyday life at WIDI asked about it.

Person C:VeryThere is just the right amount of freedomMeals are provided but you can also cook your own meals, and while you can spend time together, you can also stay in your room and have some time to yourself.

Mr. A:Recognize!It's great that they have breakfastで すI've decided to go to the restaurant by 8:XNUMX in the morning, so that's become a part of my daily routine.

Mr. R:I have a habit of talking with friends in the lounge late at night and going to the sauna (laughs). In my first and second years, I only took showers, but recently I've started using the large communal bath more often. When I'm tired from job hunting,I'm so grateful to have a sauna in the dorm.(laughs)

International exchange spreads naturally

WID is an international student dormitory at Waseda University. One of its great features is that Japanese students and international students live together, creating an atmosphere of international exchange on a daily basis.

Person C:WID is,There is a good balance between Japanese and international students living here.I have many opportunities to use English in my daily life, and I liked that I could do it naturally at WID as well.

Mr. A:I am also studying English Literature,I appreciate the opportunity to speak English outside of class.That's right. I think it's great that when you're in the dorm, you don't feel like you have to study English, but you can naturally use it.

Mr. R:I didn't have many opportunities to interact with international students during my first and second years,Since becoming a Resident Assistant (RA), I have had more opportunities to interact with students.When I plan an event as an RA, many international students also participate, which makes me discover new things, like "The way these types of events are organized is different in Japan than it is overseas."

Encounters enrich university life

Moments when I feel glad to live in WIDWhen I asked them about it, everyone said the same thing:Meeting people"was.

Person C:It's meeting friends.ifIf I had lived alone, we would never have had the chance to become so close.I am still very close with the friends I made in that first year, and we even go on trips together.

Mr. R:I think that's a big deal. WID has people from all different departments living there, soNature and perspective expandsI made a friend who is also from Hokkaido, and we are still really good friends.

Mr. A:Also, it's reassuring to have the dorm manager and staff there. If you have any problems,The peace of mind of knowing that there are adults nearby to talk tois unique to WIDI think it 's.

What would you like to say to people who are interested in WID?

Finally, we asked each of them for a message they would like to convey to people who are considering WID.

Mr. A:"Dorm life is surprisingly free!'At first, I thought there would be a lot more rules in the dorms, but I was able to live in my own style more than I expected, so it's really comfortable.

Person C:"You're sure to find something great!'The appeal of WID is that you can connect with people you would not meet through university classes alone.

Mr. R:"If you want to enrich your university life, WID is a great environment!'That's what I want to say. If you have a stable place to live, you can enjoy your studies and play to the fullest.

◆For those who are interested in living at WID

If you are wondering about living in WID,Request for information and tourWhy not start your student life in an environment that provides you with security and connections?

TEXT: NISHI YASUHIRO / PHOTO: SHIRAHAMA SATOSHI
*Affiliation and title are as of the time of interview in March 2025.