Global Lounge

2017/04/04

In October 2015, more than 130 years after Keio University first accepted two international students from overseas in 1881, and with the number of international students having grown to approximately 1,500, the Global Lounge was established on the Mita Campus.

This space, which faces a courtyard, had existed as an "International Exchange Space" since the South School Building was rebuilt and completed in 2011. However, as it was an open area, it was not being used effectively. It has since been renovated into a separate space with transparent partitions, making it possible to hold various events for international exchange.

The Global Lounge serves several roles. First, it functions as a resource room where visitors can browse information on Keio University's partner institutions for exchange programs. In addition to brochures from each university, visitors can also read study abroad reports from senior students.

Second, it serves as a place to encourage Keio students to study abroad. This includes holding small information sessions on studying abroad and scholarships for that purpose, as well as having students with exchange experience act as study abroad advisors to consult with Keio students. Visitors from partner institutions may also hold information sessions.

The third and most important role is that of a salon where international students and Keio students can interact on a daily basis. Starting in the fall semester of 2014, the International Center launched the "Keio Tomodachi Program" to foster interaction between Keio students and international students. This is a buddy program, a common form of support for international students at universities overseas. Each semester, groups are formed with about two Keio students and three international students, with the main goal of helping them become "tomodachi" (friends). The Global Lounge is one of the activity sites for this Tomodachi Program. Events such as "Let's Speak in Japanese" and "Let's Speak in English" are held during lunch breaks, and sometimes participants can experience traditional Japanese games like *fukuwarai* (a game similar to pin the tail on the donkey) and *karuta* (a Japanese card game).

One of the student organizations supporting international students, the International Center's student organization (commonly known as KOSMIC), also uses the Global Lounge as its base of activities, supporting the Tomodachi Program and holding club consultation sessions for international students.

On the Hiyoshi Campus, the "Communication Lounge" was established when the Fourth School Building, Independence Wing was completed in 2009, and many events promoting multicultural exchange are also held here. A large-scale study abroad fair is also held every June, and in recent years, it has attracted a total of over 2,000 visitors over the four-day event.

While Keio University currently attracts many international students from all over the world, opportunities for interaction with Keio students are limited. With the Global Lounge at its center, it is hoped that international exchange will become more accessible and a part of daily life. Perhaps the day will come when the entire campus itself becomes a "global lounge," so to speak, where international students and Keio students can interact anywhere on campus without the need for a special designated place.

(Chihiro Ueda, Manager, International Exchange Services Group, Office of Student Services)