[Student Interview] We asked students about their international exchange experiences.
International exchange is actively conducted at the Shinjuku campus. This time, we asked Kokoro Inui, a third-year student in College of Business Management, about his experiences with international exchange. (Interviewer: Shinjuku Campus Office, Fujiya)
| ——— | Mr. Inoi, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. First, could you please introduce yourself? |
| Inoi: | I'm Kokoro Inoi, a third-year College of Business Management. I'm majoring in Airline Hospitality. In the fall semester of my second year, I studied abroad in New York State, USA for four months as part of an Airline Hospitality study abroad program. I also serve as the vice-president of "Buddy's," a student organization responsible for international exchange at the Shinjuku campus! |
| ——— | You're actively involved in various activities, such as studying abroad and extracurricular activities. What sparked your interest in international exchange? |
| Inoi: | Since I aspired to work in the airline industry in the future, I actively engaged in international exchange during my student days. I joined Buddy's because I wanted to make friends with overseas students and learn about various cultures. At Buddy's, students are responsible for planning and managing international exchange Events at the Shinjuku campus. After COVID, many international students have come to the Shinjuku campus, so Buddy's activities have been very busy! |
| ——— | International exchange is very active at the Shinjuku campus! Are there any exchanges that particularly stand out in your memory? |
| Inoi: | During the spring semester of my second year at university, I interacted with international students from the University of Texas at Austin (UTA), USA, who were on a one-month short-term study at the Shinjuku campus. I got to know international students through Events at Buddy's. During lunchtime, we had lunch together in the cafeteria and played together on a nearby basketball court. We also went out to eat together outside of school. What impressed me most was that when I went to the all-you-can-eat yakiniku, the international students were amazed and enjoyed the system, the variety of menu options, and the deliciousness of the food. |
| ——— | For international students, everything is new, isn't it? You can see from the photos that they're having a great time. |
| Inoi: | It was so much fun! We also went to a Mexican restaurant to celebrate the birthday of another international student from Mexico who was also attending UTA. Although it was only a short month, I was able to have deep interactions with the international students and had the opportunity to teach them a lot about Japan. I was very happy to hear that the international students had grown to like Japanese culture and life even more. |
| ——— | I'm glad to hear you say that. I also remember how sad Mr. Inoi and the exchange students were to say goodbye at the farewell party. Did you continue to keep in touch after the exchange students returned home? |
| Inoi: | I kept in touch with the exchange student even after they returned to the United States. Then, when I went to the US to study abroad in the fall semester of my second year, I went to Texas and was finally able to reunite with them! During my stay in Texas, they introduced me to some great Texan foods, we hung out on their university campus, and they treated me to American and Mexican home cooking. They also introduced me to some of their friends, which allowed me to make many new friends. This experience was invaluable and something I couldn't have gained from just traveling. |
| ——— | It must be so touching to reunite with international students you met in Japan in America! I'm sure the students were happy to see you all again. Did you notice or feel anything through your interactions with the international students? |
| Inoi: | There are two main things I learned from interacting with international students. First, I was able to learn about worlds and cultures I didn't know before, and I gained new understanding and knowledge. In particular, I learned a new perspective: things that I don't notice in my daily life in Japan are actually fresh and new to foreigners. I realized that Japanese culture and customs are interesting to people from other countries, and it was an experience that broadened my horizons. Second, I realized the importance of connections with people. Through interacting with international students from diverse backgrounds, I feel that my English skills improved, my circle of friends expanded, and I was able to build deeper relationships of trust with them. |
| ——— | That's exactly the kind of learning you can only gain from actually experiencing international exchange. What are your aspirations for the future? |
| Inoi: | I hope to continue actively interacting with international students and gain even richer experiences. I also want to value relationships with international students with whom I have deepened my exchanges and build lifelong relationships. Moreover, as members of Buddy's, I hope current students and those who will enroll will actively participate in international exchanges. We plan Events so that everyone can enjoy interacting with international students! |
| ——— | Thank you, Inoi-san. Let's continue to promote international exchange at the Shinjuku campus! |
≪Editor's Note≫ The Shinjuku campus accepts many short-term exchange students, especially during the spring semester, creating an environment that feels like being on a campus abroad, providing students with opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and language skill improvement without having to study overseas.