Photo from left: Elena (Faculty of Law), Airisa (Faculty of Creative Science and Engineering), Ryutaro (Faculty of Liberal Arts)

We interviewed three Waseda students who actually live in the "WID" series of international student dormitories that include meals, as well as WID Waseda RAs, about student life at WID..

Q1.Is life in the dormitory difficult?

Mr. Ryutaro：Since I entered school in September, I had a hard time worrying about how to make friends with the community already established.But WID hostedwelcome partyOnce I made friends at the dormitory, life in the dormitory suddenly became fun.
Ms. Airisa: In the dormitory,It's nice to have so many chances to talk with everyoneright.
Elena: At first, I was surprised to hear a child in another room arguing with a parent and child on the phone... but after all, it's hard to see other people's private sides.But after I started talking to him, we became good friends.Rather, we can understand each other,get along with a good sense of distanceI got used to it.

Q2. Did you have any troubles in dormitory life or university life during the corona crisis?

Elena: I hear that you won't be able to meet anyone in online classes, but living in a dormitory gives you more than a few opportunities to meet people face-to-face.It is reassuring not to be lonely.
Mr. Ryutaro: I used to live alone, butI came to the dormitory because I wanted an opportunity to interact with people., because there are students.
Ms. Airisa : Online classes aren't all badyou know.With the change to on-demand, you can listen to difficult parts over and over again.
Mr. Ryutaro: I also applied for an internship when there were only two face-to-face classes a week.Emphasis was placed on things other than school studiesI wonder if it was really good.

Q3. When you started living in the dormitory, did you feel that you had grown?

Elena: In the beginning, when I was studying in the university library, I was told that I always looked tired, but recently my friends in the dormitory told me"Brighter"That's what they say.Maybe it's because in the dormitory, you can easily complain to each other.Maybe I only showed my serious side in college...
Ms. Airisa:I"Calm down"Now they say.To some extent, I think it's because I've started doing things for myself.It's really nice to be able to practice to be independent while eating and receiving support from the dormitory.
Mr. Ryutaro:I,I started cookingis the biggest change. When I share information with my friends, such as "Where is the supermarket where meat is cheap?"No meals are served on Sundays, so I'm looking forward to going to the supermarket with my friends and cooking.It's nice to have housework that you don't have to do, like cleaning the bathroom or taking out the trash.

Q4.What do you recommend about WID Waseda?

Mr. Ryutaro : saunathat there is It's a facility that only WID Waseda has, so it gives me a sense of superiority (laughs).
Ms. Airisa : lots of consultationsThere is a place where the dormitory manager and the dormitory mother provide solid support.Some children are nervous when they first enter the school and can't talk to their seniors, so I think it's a relief to have an adult who can properly consult with them.
Elena: There is also a LINE group on each floor,Students are well connectedPlace. We also exchange information such as “We will hold an event in the circle”.
Mr. Ryutaro: And after allInternationalThis is the strength of this dormitory.
Elena: In other dormitories, the floors for international students and Japanese students are separated, but if you live on the same floor, you can communicate while living together, so I think it's better here. think.

Q5. Some students may be worried about whether they will be able to make friends.

Elena: I was also worried at first, but I just sat in the lounge and talked to people who came.You can meet thirty people in one day.
Mr. Ryutaro: Wow (laughs).But as long as you live a normal life, you'll be fine. About 150 new students came in,RAeveryone is so close that there is no need to mess with.
Ms. Airisa: At the first orientation, we explain the rules and show you around the dormitory.Even if you don't participate in the event, if you use the lounge or cafeteria,make friends quicklyI think.I always talk to new students (laughs).

Q6. What do you want to tell students?

Ms. Airisa: Wasedareally international.Since I lived in America, I was worried that there would be people in the same situation as me, but people who lived overseas, exchange students, and people with mixed roots came here without worry. I want.
Elena：Next to Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, there are various language classes.Ainu language.
Mr. Ryutaro: Actually, there are days when I only speak English at university.You can really hear many different languages ​​on campus.
Elena: And the environment is also wonderful.I don't think there are many universities that have theaters and museums nearby.

Q7. Please tell us your dreams and goals for the future.

Elena: I would like to create a new business in Russia.My grandmother is from Ukraine and her mother also lived in Ukraine for a time.Now, I think it's important and interesting to know politics, economics, and international affairs, not just learning languages.
Ms. Airisa: I'm studying mechanical engineering, but I also like drawing, so I want to become a design engineer.
Mr. Ryutaro：I was doing a homestay in Canada, and from that time on, I started to think, "I want to make Japan better."I'm currently taking a class to think about global energy, but in the future I want to get a job where I can prepare Japan's resources.
Ms. Airisa: That's what I was thinking!
Elena: Even though he's a character that usually plays around, he's actually serious.
Mr. Ryutaro: After all, I want to live cheerfully and happily (laughs).

*This article is current as of June 2022.
Written by Yoko Oike Photographed by Satoshi Shirahama Interviewed by Yasuhiro Nishi