How Can I Interact With Ochanomizu Students?

#International exchange #voice of international students #event #circle

One of the good points of studying at the university is that you can interact with many Japanese people there!

However, it may be difficult to find a way to make many Japanese friends.

For that reason, this article will detail the various events and opportunities in which you will be able to form relationships with Ochanomizu students, along with hearing some of the voices of previous foreign Ochanomizu students and their experiences.

Q. How do you interact with Ochanomizu students?

（Multiple answers allowed）(7 students answer)

There are three items on the top rank.

We will see them first.

・TEA

TEA is the name of the Ochanomizu international exchange circle, which is very big, and almost official.

You can choose whether or not to join, but almost all of the international students register every year ☺

They hold seasonal events, sightseeing, drinking, etc.

Through these exciting activities, you can make many Japanese and foreign friends from all over the world!

Here is the article about TEA →

http://ochadai_navi.bitbucket.org/Tea.html

・CLASS

Next, you can attend classes that Japanese students are also taking.

There are some classes in Ochanomizu university where international students and Japanese have discussions or work together.

In particular, Letters and Education Human and Social Sciences Faculty has plenty of lectures about international cultures and languages, so there are more chances to make good friends.

・HANG OUT PERSONALLY

The last item of the top is “Hang out personally”.

You can invite your Japanese friends who you made friends with through TEA or classes.

Once you get close friends here, you will keep contacting each other even after you finish your study abroad!

 →Two foreign students from England and two Japanese students who studied in England in a 'Purikura' photo booth☆

・Official International exchange events

There are also some official international exchange events at Ochanomizu university.

This photo is one from the International Tanabata Night.

The university can also provide Yukata, a traditional item of Japanese clothing, for you to borrow for these events.

In addition, International Day and the International Exchange Study Trip are also held.

You can check these events by posters in the lecture rooms or the Global Education Center before they are coming up. TEA will also announce them.

Usually, the Japanese students who join these events are eager to make foreign friends! Why not join and talk with them!

Detail about official events:

http://www-w.ao.ocha.ac.jp/intl/studyjp/campuslife/enjoy/

・Study Meetings (Language Practice etc.)

There are some foreign students who set up language circles themselves and were able to make friends with the Japanese students.

One student set up a group named “Let’s talk in Japanese and English!”

Foreign and Japanese students who are interested in an international exchange or foreign language exchange gather during lunch time, and talk casually about various topics. They speak English and Japanese for 30 minutes respectively.

In fact, I was also a member of this group. It offered good opportunities to make many friends, and was fun sharing various experiences and aspects of Japan!

If you are interested in starting these activities, you may want to use the TEA network or consult with Global Education Center!

・Groups and Societies Unrelated To International Exchange

There are various groups and societies at Ochanomizu university. Currently, the total number of the official ones are 45, 27 of them cultural and 18 sport-related.

Some foreign students belong to these groups and have a good time with Japanese students by interacting positively!

For example, Johanna from Czech, who studied at Ochanomizu last year, belonged to Archery club.

Competing against other universities and wearing matching uniforms seem to appeal for foreign students as club activities are very big in Japan!

Besides, you may find one in which you can feel Japanese culture, such as Tea Ceremony Club or Aikido club!

Also, societies such as Jazz dance society, Japanese dance group, the university band etc. are more relaxed, meaning you can freely join in on the activities how and when you want.

Joining a group or society is a great way to experience your favorite sport or hobby with Japanese students!

More informational about groups and societal activities：

http://www.ocha.ac.jp/campuslife/r_extracurricular-activities.html

・International Students House

Finally, I would like to introduce International Students House!

Almost all the foreign students live in this house, sharing a floor together with Japanese students.

If you come across your friends on the hall, you may not be able to stop talking!

Girl A：Ochanomizu uni is small and there are Japanese and foreign students in the

dormitory. This means you can get plenty of chances to talk with Japanese students!

Girl B：Living in Ochanomizu International Students House makes it easy to adapt to the

environment and make many friends.

More information about Ochanomizu Dormitory→

http://ochadai_navi.bitbucket.org/Accommodation.html

To sum up, you have a lot of ways to interact and build intimate relationship with Japanese students in Ochanomizu University.

On the other hand, there are also some people who feel they do not know how to communicate with foreign students.

When you meet these girls, you may feel “Japanese are cold..”

However, this is not the case, instead they are shy and nervous about speaking with foreign students.

If you find yourself in this situation, please talk to the Japanese students with your lovely smile☺

They will be more than happy to make friends with you!

Writer & Photo credit: Misaki Saito