What do you expect from studying in Japan? One of the best parts of studying abroad is making local friends. In Geiko, friendships between international and Japanese students have been established through various opportunities. I would like to introduce these opportunities to you all.

This article would be helpful for not only foreign students but also Japanese students who want to make friends with foreign studentsIn this article, I focus on the friends whose relationship started from a class.

I interviewed Japanese and international students about their friendships.

Interviewee:   
Yubo Liu (2nd year master’s student from China)
Yuki Minamii (2nd year master’s student)

Interviewer:  Megumi Hasegawa (2nd year master’s student)

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First of all, please tell me how you two met.
Yubo: We first met in a class titled “Design in Japan” when we were both in our fourth year of undergraduate studies. At the first lesson, we had time to introduce ourselves, and I mentioned that I was interested in VR, and there were a few others who were also interested in VR. After class, we got together and exchanged our contacts. One of the members was Minami.
Yuki: Now that brings back memories.
Yubo: I’m glad I didn’t skip class at that time. It was actually the first time for me to talk to another person by myself.

What were your first impressions of each other?
Yuki: He seemed like a person of proper character. And we share the same interests, so I thought it would be nice if we could work on something together.
Yubo: My first impression of him was that he was a tough guy.

Has your impression changed now?
Yuki: It has changed a lot. I think he is a tolerant person with a playful spirit.
Yubo: I certainly live like a boy rather than an adult. My first impression of Minami is totally different from my impression now. I am glad that he can tell me anything about himself.

So, did you two become good friends right after you met?
Yuki: No. It was not until we became first-year master’s students that we became closer. In one of our classes, we were assigned to form a group of two, and we were in the same group and worked on a project together for about two months. We had many discussions to come up with service design proposals related to social VR, and after the group work, we always went out for Chinese food together.
Yubo: Good job on our group work!

So the relationship continued after that class ended?
Yubo: Yes, it became our habit to go to a Chinese restaurant and have dinner together after the class was over. We talked about everything, such as recent events, the recent topic about VR, and events in our own past.

Yuki is currently studying abroad in the U.S. I think Yubo must have missed Yuki a lot.
Yubo: Actually, I was very sad when I heard Yuki was going to study abroad. I’ve never had and will never have friends like him. I’m looking forward to his return in September.
Yuki: Yes, let’s have dinner and play board games together again in September.　

Even though the countries where you were born and where you are now are separated by oceans, I could feel that you are irreplaceable friends to each other.

I am also looking forward to seeing you in September. Thank you very much for sharing your stories with me.

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It was interesting to know that they exchange contacts and maintain their friendship because of their common interests.

There are different starting points for Japanese and international students to become friends, such as a common interest in research or an interest in Japanese subculture. If both Japanese and international students can take advantage of these starting points, they will likely make truly wonderful friends with whom they will have long-lasting friendships.

Finally, here are messages from these two students.

Yubo
When you study abroad and make friends, I think it is important not to worry if you don’t get along with them after talking to them. You will definitely find someone you can get along with in your study abroad destination, so you should not be discouraged until you meet that person.

Yuki
After I studied in the U.S., I was able to see Geiko from the outside. Although the name of the degree you can get after graduation from Geiko is “Design,” you can actually learn various fields of design that cannot be contained in the word “Design”. I think it is worth studying at Geiko.

In the next article, I will be sharing with you more about my own experiences making a lasting friendship through “Tandem Program“. If you are curious, check it out!

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About the Writer
I am a master’s student. I’m Japanese, but I really love foreign cultures, especially Chinese culture. It’s fun for me to hear the stories of international students because it broadens my horizons. If you also become a Geiko student, you can expand your creativity as well as your international horizons.
Why don’t you join us? We are waiting for you!

Megumi Hasegawa
Human Life Design and Science Course
Graduate School of Design