Sophia University’s proximity to the major news and events

One of the reasons I chose Sophia University was because all of its faculties covering humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences are gathered on one campus. The fact that both the arts and sciences can be studied at one place with researchers who specialize in different areas, makes it possible to pursue studies outside of my specialization. I felt that it allows me to have a wider range of options when considering my future career.

Because I’m originally from Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan, as a high schooler I would join online lectures and events offered by Sophia University as a way to gather information. This was during the COVID-19 pandemic, so it was great to have opportunities to gather information virtually through multiple online events offered by Sophia such as the United Nations Weeks and the Africa Weeks. The online learning opportunities were extremely helpful for me as it would have taken more than 3 hours by bullet train to attend in person anyway. Sophia’s official social media was also a valuable resource.

Yotsuya, where Sophia University is located, is truly in the center of Tokyo. Students can study in an exciting environment where politics, economics, and other topics reported in the daily news are right at our fingertip. Whenever I hear about receptions for various world leaders or visiting dignitaries being held in the State Guest House within walking distance from our campus, I can’t help but think, “Right now, right next door, something that’s being broadcasted to the world is happening” and that’s something precisely unique to Sophia.

In addition, the Arrupe International Residence where I live is very close to the Japan National Stadium, which drew much attention during the Olympics Games Tokyo 2020. One of the charms of living in our dormitory is the ease of taking a leisurely stroll, thanks to its convenient location – just one train stop from our campus and a five-minute ride from Shinjuku, Japan’s largest terminal station. Living in Tokyo, especially when compared to my time in Aomori, has allowed me to see and experience a wide range of things in my daily  life. Being able to act on the thought “I want to go there” is a great  advantage of studying in Tokyo.

Building resilience through experiences that challenge “common sense”

My decision to live in a dormitory was largely due to my father’s influence.  He has always told me about how his dormitory mates ended up becoming his lifelong friends, which made me long for the bonds and interactions that could be nurtured at the international dormitory. Before moving in I felt a little anxious, but once I settled, I found that the seniors and exchange students were all friendly. I feel the bonds among the dormitory mates grow day by day, starting with “Good morning” and “Good night” at the end of a day.

At the Arrupe International Residence, where cultural differences are embraced, one of my first surprises upon moving in was wearing shoes indoors. While Japanese residents might be confused by this, international students consider it routine. Although seemingly small, experiencing such cultural differences early on increased my excitement for dorm life.

Undergraduates, graduate students, exchange students, and others living in our dormitory come from different ages and diverse backgrounds. While there are a good number of international students on campus, it is in the dormitory where you truly get to experience the differences in culture and lifestyle  firsthand. Over the past two years, I have encountered a great deal of cultural diversity, and while there have been many moments filled with joy, there have also been moments of surprise and confusion. However, I see all of these as valuable experiences that are truly unique to the international dormitory. Through these experiences, I have become much more resilient, and I now feel that I can handle things with greater flexibility.

In the Arrupe International Residence, one unit consists of multiple residents, and each unit has a Living Group Leader (LGL). I myself serve as an LGL, and one thing I make a conscious effort to do is to increase opportunities for interaction with international students as much as possible. As an example of cultural exchange, we held a takoyaki party with our unit mate from Osaka in the lead, the exchange student from France was delighted, and we all had a great time together.

On the other hand, being an LGL does not come without its challenges, particularly when it comes to language barriers when communicating with the international residents. When conveying necessary information, it is conducted in English primarily. Since English is not my native language, I do make extra effort to communicate while being mindful of subtle nuances, with the goal of building trust. These experiences have been a rewarding learning curve for me.

Applying the resilience I’ve learned at the dormitory in the field of accounting

I am currently in the Department of Management, and the subject that interests me the most is accounting. I am thoroughly enjoying the freedom to study according to my own interests at university.

My favorite course is Financial Accounting. At the beginning of each class, the professor discusses the current economic and social news, which helps me understand how the field of study I am pursuing impacts real business and people’s lives. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in a field related to accounting. I am confident that the resilience and flexibility I have nurtured through my experience in the Arrupe International Residence will be my strengths in any endeavor. I am determined to keep doing my best in both dormitory life and my studies in accounting.

*Please note that the content of this article is current as of July 2023.