Fostering Intercultural Communication in an International Dormitory

2020/03/23

Globalization is advancing rapidly. Activities that transcend national and regional borders are becoming more active in all aspects, and for Keio students aiming for global success, acquiring an international perspective is a matter of great interest. While many tend to equate acquiring an international perspective with studying abroad, there are also ways to develop it while staying in Japan. One of these is living in an international dormitory. Currently, Keio University has seven student dormitories where Japanese and international students live together, and this time, we spoke with students living in two of them: the Hiyoshi International Dormitory and the Tsunashima SST International Dormitory.

From left:

Hiyoshi International Dormitory (An international dormitory opened in 2017 with a unit-style format (four private rooms and a shared area used by two Japanese students and two international students). It also has abundant common areas for interaction, such as a shared kitchen and an Assembly Room.)

Nana Kurisu (1st year, Faculty of Science and Technology; from Fukuoka Prefecture)

Carson Heideman (Keio International Program (KIP); from the United States)

Takeharu Imai (3rd year, Faculty of Policy Management; from Hyogo Prefecture)

Tsunashima SST International Dormitory (Opened in 2018 within the Tsunashima Sustainable Smart Town, this dormitory is integrated with the town's development. It combines private rooms that emphasize privacy with shared spaces.)

Ririko Honda (2nd year, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law; from Shizuoka Prefecture)

Deborah Gabriela Gisler (Special Short-Term International Student; from Switzerland)

Hironori Kitano (2nd year, Faculty of Business and Commerce; from Osaka Prefecture)

Kitano: I'm from Osaka and didn't have any friends here, so I thought it might be a bit lonely to start living alone right after moving to Tokyo. That's when I learned about the student dormitories on the university's website. I decided to live in a dorm at first, at least until I got used to life in Tokyo.

Honda: Same here. I'm from Shizuoka, and I felt anxious about living alone right away. It wasn't just about being lonely; I was also worried about security.

Kurisu: I was also concerned about crime prevention, so I thought a dormitory would be a safe option.

Honda: A friend of mine who lives alone mentioned being troubled by door-to-door salespeople, but in the dorm, there's a reception desk, and unauthorized people can't enter, so we don't have that kind of hassle.

Kurisu: Keio University has several dormitories, but since I'm in the Faculty of Science and Technology, I thought the Hiyoshi dorm would be conveniently located for commuting to the university throughout my four years. When I came for a tour, I saw international students walking around inside and was drawn to the opportunity to interact with people from overseas so naturally. That's why I chose the Hiyoshi International Dormitory.

Deborah: This was my first time living abroad, and I couldn't imagine what it would be like, but thanks to the dormitory, I made a lot of friends and was able to start my new life smoothly. I chose the Tsunashima SST International Dormitory because I was interested in its sustainable initiatives, such as using electricity generated from solar power. It's located within a next-generation smart city that is attracting global attention.

Imai: I decided to live in the dorm thinking it might be easier to make friends. Just as I thought, I made friends right away. About half of the residents at the Hiyoshi International Dormitory are international students. I'm really glad I was able to make friends not only with Japanese students but also with people from various countries.

Kitano: When I heard the word "dormitory," I had a strong image of an old place that valued tradition, but the building is new, and all the rooms are private, so it's very comfortable. And yet, there are also common areas like a kitchen-dining room and free spaces, so I don't feel isolated.

Carson: In the Hiyoshi International Dormitory where I live, two international students and two Japanese students live together in one unit. Each unit has shared areas like a living room, sinks, and a toilet, as well as individual private rooms, so we can maintain our privacy while also interacting with each other. There's a large public bath in the building, which I really like.

Imai: Some international students are shy at first, but once they try it, they end up liking it, right?

Kurisu: Sometimes I talk with international students while we're in the bath.

Honda: I like the kitchen. There's always someone in the kitchen, so you can have conversations naturally. Even if you want to talk with people from overseas, it can be a bit intimidating to join an exchange club or something similar. But in the dorm, you can interact with them naturally as part of your daily life.

Deborah: There's a large supermarket right in front of the dorm, which makes shopping convenient. Also, it's helpful that if I have trouble shopping for daily necessities, I can immediately ask someone else living in the dorm. I couldn't tell what the laundry detergents were just by looking at the packaging, so that was a real help.

Imai: The dorm has students called RAs (Resident Assistants) who support the international students. I'm one of them, and when new residents arrive, we organize group trips to the supermarket and hold welcome parties to create an environment where international students feel comfortable asking for help.

Kurisu: The RAs plan various events throughout the year, like barbecues and trips to Okutama, and these events are great for the Japanese residents too. I was a bit anxious living alone for the first time, but these events helped me make a lot of friends, and I was able to build relationships where I can ask my peers for help when I'm in trouble.

Kitano: It's also reassuring to have a dorm manager and a dorm mother. They always watch over us like family, so I feel safe even when I get sick.

Kurisu: Another good thing might be that we can study without worrying about the last train. The Hiyoshi International Dormitory also has a study room. Seeing my peers working hard there during exam periods or when reports are due motivates me to do my best as well.

Honda: It's also great that I can easily ask for advice on small turns of phrase in English when I have a report to write in English. We often talk about differences between countries and cultures, but as I've lived with international students from various countries, I've come to feel that it's more about differences in personality and character than differences between countries or cultures. I feel that I've become able to interact with them as individuals, beyond the framework of nationality. I think the great thing about the dorm is that you can experience a borderless world.

The students living in the international dormitories, not just those featured here, are blessed with opportunities to deepen their understanding of different cultures and hone their communication skills, each leading a fulfilling life.

The strengths they have cultivated and the connections they have made here will continue to support them and broaden their worlds long after they leave the dormitory and Keio University.

As part of its efforts to foster global talent, Keio University is proceeding with the development and expansion of international dormitories to meet diverse needs.