Participants with big smiles
MGV RA team
On October 3, an exchange event was held at the Surugadai Campus for residents of Meiji University Global Village (MGV), an international mixed-residence dormitory, including international students who arrived in Japan this fall.
This year's welcome event was held under the theme, "Come Together, MGV!"
The event featured a variety of activities, including scavenger hunts and physical games, carefully designed so that all MGV residents could enjoy themselves regardless of their athletic abilities.
Before the event began, some international and Japanese students appeared a little shy and hesitant. However, once the activities started, everyone became fully engaged. The venue was filled with lively smiles and laughter.
The event was planned and organized by ten Resident Assistants (RAs), students who live in the dormitory and support their fellow residents. They had been preparing for the event since the spring semester, hoping to create an enjoyable experience for both Japanese and international residents.
Reflecting on the event, Kazuki Takashima (fourth-year student, School of Information and Communication)commented:
"Over the past several months, we held many discussions and worked hard to prepare for this event. Although we faced many challenges, I was truly happy that more residents participated than last year and that everyone had such a great time together! What made me happiest was seeing residents who had never spoken to each other before exchanging contact information and becoming friends after the event. As an RA, I will continue doing my best to make MGV a place where people can connect and build friendships!"
Honoka Koiso (third-year student, School of Global Japanese Studies), the RA team leader, also shared her reflections:
"First and foremost, I feel greatly relieved that the event, which we had spent so much time preparing for, was a great success. During the preparation process, we faced many challenges, including differences in motivation among RAs, communication difficulties, and team management issues. However, working through these challenges as a leader provided me with valuable learning experiences that I can apply during my remaining six months as an RA. I was also delighted to receive so many expressions of gratitude and positive feedback from residents, and to know that the event brought them a high level of satisfaction."
MGV will continue to provide opportunities for residents from diverse backgrounds to interact, build friendships, and strengthen their connections, with RAs playing a central role in these efforts.
Contact: Junko Mimaki, Associate Professor, Organization for International Collaboration
