On April 18, a ceremony was held to consecrate Sophia Soshigaya International House.
The consecration was performed by Father Toshiaki Koso, Chancellor of Sophia School Corporation, in accordance with the Catholic liturgy. About 40 people including the invited guests and the university staff attended the ceremony.
First, the Chancellor thanked the people who made the opening of Sophia Soshigaya International House possible. He stated that “its main purpose is to give housing options to overseas students and to provide them with a wide variety of educational programs. At the same time, it will serve to promote multicultural exchange among overseas students. And we want Japanese students to foster good relationships with them. This is also a place where Sophia students and people in a local community can come together.”
Following the speech, President Tadashi Takizawa, Father Sanji Yamaoka, Trustee for General Affairs, and Father Augustine Sali, Director of Catholic Center offered their prayers together. Then, Father Koso blessed each floor of the building by sprinkling holy water.
At the party given in the cafeteria, President Takizawa and Mr. Itaru Takashio, Acting Trustee of Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) gave a speech. Then, Chairman of Japan Educational Exchanges and Services, Mr. Masayuki Inoue proposed a toast. After the toast, the participants exchanged talks congenially.
Sophia Soshigaya International House has already been in operation since April this year. Its location is only a ten-minute bus ride from Seijo-gakuen-mae Station on Odakyu Line. The site that faces Seijyo Street covers 13438.37 square meters of land full of grass and trees.
Among an array of residential buildings, you will find administrative building, building complex for single students (A~D) and married couples (E), as well as family housing. Sport hall, tennis courts, library and research center, even music room are available at Soshigaya International House.
