Resident Assistants in International Student Houses

WATANABE Kowa

Third-year student in the Business Administration Program, Department of Economics and Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
Graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan Ome Sogo Senior High School

KANEDA Mao

Third-year student in the English Studies, Department of Humanities, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Graduated from Kanagawa Prefectural Tama Senior High School

Valuable international exchange experience while living with international students

What motivated you to apply to be a resident assistant?

WATANABE

I had wanted to live on my own since my enrollment, so, when I heard that the International Student Houses had vacancies available for Japanese students as well, I moved in during the summer of my freshman year. I felt so comfortable that I wanted to continue living there, so I applied for the resident assistant position in December of the same year. My parents supported the idea, thinking that I would learn more by interacting with students from various countries than by simply living alone.

KANEDA

I had always been interested in English, but from the first day of university, I was wondering what I was going to do because I couldn’t even study abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One day I heard about the Resident Assistant System and was fascinated by the idea of participating in an international exchange within Japan without having to go abroad. That’s why I applied. I fully explained the attractiveness of the International Student Houses to my family and showed them the information material, so they were reassured that they were good dormitories.

What are your main activities?

WATANABE

Basically, I give new international residents a tour of the dormitory and explain the rules of the common spaces and how to use their rooms. I sometimes help them prepare documents to submit to the government offices, or other authorities, if necessary. Other activities include planning and organizing events, such as welcome parties, farewell parties. In the past, I arranged Halloween, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve parties.

KANEDA

In my case, I usually do paperwork while supporting the dormitory head Watanabe. Sometimes I answer questions about things in the Japanese culture that the residents don’t understand. I also accompany them when going shopping. Occasionally, we have trouble enforcing the rules of the common areas, but we solve this problem by discussing it among the resident assistants and by consulting with the university authorities.

Exposed to diverse values, I feel my world expanding.

How do you feel you have grown through your activities?

WATANABE

I thought I was the type of person who wants to live at my own pace without interference from anyone, so I am surprised to find myself enjoying this shared living space experience with others. I think the relationship here is very comfortable because we respect each other and keep a reasonable distance. Furthermore, in my second year as a resident assistant, I was recommended to be a dormitory head. I am now more able to show leadership as a dormitory head and I feel that I have grown. I would like to thank my friends for their support.

KANEDA

I feel my world has expanded. The flexible views and tolerant attitudes of the international students around me have had a positive effect on me, making me more familiar with different ways of thinking. I have experienced many things, gained confidence in my ability to handle irregular situations, and became active enough to travel to the U.S. alone for a month.

Improve communication skills and build confidence for the future

Would you give a message to prospective and current Japanese students?

WATANABE

I feel that I have grown a lot when I see how my communication skills have improved through my activities as a resident assistant. I used to feel insecure about my English skills, but now I have learned that I can communicate well enough using Japanese, English, and gestures, and because of this I do not hesitate to give presentations in English when I have the opportunity.
If you have the curiosity to start something new, you will be able to fit right in without feeling uncomfortable. If you are interested, I encourage you to jump in.

KANEDA

The dormitory students get along well with each other, chatting every day and sometimes going on trips. We create many precious memories. Surrounded by friends with different values, I was taught a lot, inspired a lot, and positively influenced a lot, which helped me get out of my comfort zone. If you are not happy where you are and want to start something different, you should join us.

Room
The house is comfortable to live in, with private rooms that ensure privacy!

Entrance

Shared Space
There is always someone in the shared space, making it lively. There is also a large, shared kitchen that is always available.

The International Student Houses are positioned as an educational venue where residents interact with each other on a daily basis and learn not only language skills, but also diverse values. As of October 2023, international students from approximately 20 countries and Japanese students (including 16 resident assistants) live together.