International exchange on campus
1. International Exchange Events
International Exchange Center holds a variety of events to promote intercultural understanding and provide a place for interaction with international students.
| Event Details (Example) |
|
|---|---|
| Date and Time | Monday to Friday Lunch break (12:30 to 13:00) |
| place | International Exchange Lounge (Building E, 2nd floor) Details of the event will be announced separately. |
2. International Exchange Student Staff Team Colors
Team Colors is a student group that aims to promote intercultural understanding on campus, and works with Global Center students. Not only can you expand your circle of friends, but you can also develop leadership and planning skills through these activities, and gain skills and experience that will be useful in society. We are always looking for new members.
- For inquiries, please contact: Global Center (Sakura Shukugawa Campus)
Interview with Team Colors management members
1. Please introduce Team Colors.
Kusuda
This is a student group (International Exchange Student Staff) that promotes international exchange and intercultural understanding on campus. Their activities include planning and running events held at the International Exchange Lounge (2nd floor of Building E) during lunch breaks from Monday to Friday. They include introductions to their home countries by international students, games, an English Café, and this year, as a new initiative, they are also running an event called "Club Activities x International Exchange."
2. What made you decide to join Team Colors?
Makino
I found this student group when I was thinking about interacting with international students. I was a little worried about planning an event by myself, but after seeing the reliable behavior of the seniors I spoke to at the international exchange experience event, I felt like I wanted to take on the challenge and decided to join.
Russfi
I wanted to talk to a lot of different people and try new things. When I saw Team Colors, I thought, "This is it!" The atmosphere is great, with international students and Japanese students all having fun together, and I'm looking forward to having fun with games and events and making new friends. I joined because I thought it would be a chance for me to become more proactive.
3. Please tell us the current members and the ratio of Japanese to international students. Do the members have specific roles?
Odashima
There are 36 members in the 2025 academic year. Of these, 16 are international students and 19 are Japanese students. Some of them have roots in Peru and Korea. Team Colors' role is to hold events that deepen intercultural understanding with the aim of promoting international exchange on campus. Because we have a large number of members, we devise ways to make our activities as smooth as possible by appointing group leaders and management members (overall leader, public relations/planning, secretary, lounge display, etc.).
4. What are the challenges and rewards of fulfilling your role?
Big Yabu
The hardest part is balancing my studies with my work. I belong to Faculty of Architecture & Arts, and I have a lot of work to submit, so I get swamped with work when it's almost time to submit. At those times, I have friends I can rely on who take over my role, which helps me out. That's why it's important to have trusting relationships with your friends. I always try to communicate my opinions to my seniors and friends. I feel most rewarded when people enjoy an event I planned, or when I discuss future events with the management team. I feel excited when we decide on a to-do list and a division of roles and move the discussion forward.
5. What is the most memorable event that you have held so far? Please also tell us why.
Kusuda
This was the International Exchange Day held in 2024. It was the first event I was involved in as an organizing member. When I was a first-year student, I participated in the event as a participant, but being on the organizing side allowed me to see things from a different perspective than the participants. The schedule for preparation was tight and sometimes difficult, but this experience is what motivates me now.
Odashima
It's International Exchange Day. This year, for the first time, we set up a performance section in the morning and an experience section in the afternoon. We chose this event because it allows you to experience different cultures through your five senses, and because it is an event that all the members worked together to create. We all made flowers to decorate the venue, and we also wrapped the prizes together. The students who participated in the performance section worked closely with the relevant parties and practiced a lot before taking on the challenge, so as someone involved, I feel that it is an event that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
6. Please tell us what you have gained or learned from interacting with international students and deepening your understanding of different cultures.
Kimoto
I think I have become more proactive and proactive. I have become more interested in the cultures and differences of each country, and I feel that I have learned the importance of experiencing things for myself, not just talking with international students, by having them feed me food from that country and visiting the country.
Makino
I was able to learn about the customs and cultures of each country, and also about the ethnic groups and their traditional cultures. I remember that the international students told me that anime that is not well known (famous) in Japan is popular overseas, and that school classes differ depending on the country. I feel that my communication skills have improved through interacting with international students.
7. Is there anything you would like to try in the future?
Big Yabu
I would like to build ties with the local community around the university. I feel that there are actually many attractive cultural and activity venues around Otemae University. I think that we can utilize what we learn at university in the local community, and conversely learn from the local community. I also think that it will be an opportunity for international students to know that we are a safe place to be. Also, I think it would be even better if we could have opportunities to meet with members after school and on holidays, other than lunch breaks. One concrete idea is to have day trips, but I would like to incorporate more of this.
Kimoto
I believe that international exchange is not about whether one can speak English or a foreign language, but rather a way to accept different cultures and foster tolerance in one's heart to accept others. I would like to work to make international exchange more familiar and easier for everyone.
8. Please give a message to those who are considering joining Team Colors.
Russfi
You may feel nervous at first, but just take the first step. Everyone in Team Colors is really kind, so you'll quickly become friends with them. If you muster up a little courage and talk to them, fun events and new friends await you. Once you take that first step, you'll surely think, "I'm glad I came!" Let's have fun together!
Kusuda
This is the perfect place for people who want to make lots of friends at university and want to try new things. I think it will make your university life more fulfilling and colorful. Our unique members are looking forward to you joining us.
*Students who cooperated with the interview
Faculty of Intercultural Japanese Studies: Aoi Makino (2nd year), Ayano Kusuda (3rd year)
Faculty of Architecture & Arts: Nene Kimoto (2nd year), Aoi Oyabu (2nd year)
Faculty of Modern Social Studies: Rusufi Bayu Prasozorfi (2nd year), Odashima Rinka (3rd year)
3. Open Badges
About the Campus International Exchange Activity Certificate
The Campus International Exchange Achievement Certificate is a system that evaluates and certifies your efforts and challenges in Campus International Exchange, such as "activity achievements," "leadership," "presentations," and "study abroad/language ability," based on our university's own evaluation criteria.
Students who have deepened their intercultural understanding, acquired communication and language skills as international citizens, and completed the "Training Program" (required program) will be issued an open badge as proof of their growth.
- For inquiries, please contact: Global Center (Sakura Shukugawa Campus)
4. International Student Buddy System
The International Student Buddy System is a system where Global Center introduces students to students who want to "make friends with Japanese people," "make friends with international students," "deepen their understanding of different cultures," or "make more friends." Please be proactive in interacting with these students as good friends (buddies).
Why I applied to be an "International Student Buddy"
The reason I applied for the "International Student Buddy Program" is because I wanted to take on something I hadn't been able to do before. When I was in high school and attending Japanese language school, I wasn't very proactive, which left me feeling a little unsatisfied and lonely, and I regretted it a little. So now, in order to never regret it again, I applied to cherish each and every opportunity, be as proactive as possible, and make lots of memories.
Now that I'm a member of Team Colors at Global Center, I'm truly glad that I was able to participate in many activities and events. I was also able to meet many wonderful friends. One of them was Neon Kimoto, a second-year university student who was introduced to me by my buddy. We became good friends, and last summer we went to a fireworks festival together wearing kimonos. We both participated in a university speech competition and went shopping together. This spring break, she came to my country, Malaysia, and we traveled together. For me, becoming an "international student buddy" was a big change, a big step.
Mawaruk Kistina
At the entrance ceremony of Otemae Educational Corporation, I first learned that there were many international students enrolled, and I thought it would be interesting to make more international student friends, so I applied for the international student buddy system. I became a buddy with an international student from Malaysia who was in the same major as me, and we went to an Indian curry restaurant near the university and talked about various things in the international exchange lounge, deepening our friendship.
We both participated in a speech contest organized by Global Center at the school festival, and I tried giving a speech in Malaysian for the first time. I was nervous, but it was a great opportunity to grow. Also, during the spring break before my second year, I went to Malaysia and interacted with my buddy friend Mawork's family, relatives, and neighbors, went to eat soul food that Mawork recommended, and went to a mosque for the first time to see a real prayer service, and had many fresh experiences. It was my first time overseas, so I was able to sightsee with peace of mind because I had friends with me. The international student buddy system gave me the opportunity to take on new challenges.
Neon Kimoto
5. Support for accepting international students
We provide support to international students from overseas partner schools immediately after they arrive in Japan, including welcoming them at the airport, helping with orientation, and handling formalities at city hall.