In this series, I have introduced various friendships between international and Japanese students found at Geiko. So far, I have introduced friendships developed through classes and the Tandem Program. This round, I want to find out what kind of experiences international students have in establishing friendships with Japanese people, especially in the laboratory, where graduate students spend most of their time. Also, this article would be helpful for Japanese students who want to make friends with foreign students.

Interviewee: 
Matsumae Laboratory, Human Life Design and Science Course
Quentin Ehkirch (3rd year PhD student from France)
Karen Shichijo (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.
Karen: We are lab mates. I’m a master’s student and he’s a PhD student in the same lab.

I see. Quentin, when did you come to Japan?
Quentin: I did my master’s research in my current lab, and then entered the doctoral program, but I spent my first year in France due to the coronavirus pandemic. I came back to Japan in April 2022 and am currently in the third year of the doctoral program.

So, you two have been friends for a year?
Karen: No. We have been friends for about two years. Because Quentin had an online lab meeting during the year he was in France, we were able to communicate with each other online. So, we have been friends, one year online, and another year in person.

Understood. What were your initial impressions of each other?
Quentin: I thought Karen is a person with great research skills. And, she is cheerful, always laughing, and looks happy.
Karen: He is a PhD student and he looks amazing. He speaks fluent English. Anyway, he looks amazing.

So what are your impressions of each other now?
Quentin: Same as before, always laughing and looking happy. She is my junior, but I feel like she is my friend. She is a good researcher, but sometimes she is a bit lazy (laugh).
Karen: He is friendlier than I thought he would be. He invites me to go out for fun and is more of a friendly friend than a senior.
Quentin: I am French, so I don’t really understand the hierarchical relationship in Japan. So I don’t think of her as a junior, but more as a friend.

You mentioned earlier that Quentin invited you to go out for fun, but was there any other reason why the two of you became friends as you are now?
Karen: In our lab, we have many lab events and many private events, so we spend a lot of time together.

What kind of events, for example?
Quentin: We have a drinking party about once a week after the weekly lab meeting. We also went on lab trips and went mountain climbing a few times (for example, a mountain in Itoshima city, Mt. Hiko, Mt. Houman).
Karen: Our lab members go on lab trips once or twice a year, but we go on a lot of personal trips.
Quentin: We also went bouldering a few times. In addition, we go to other events together, such as Oktoberfest and local beer festivals.
Karen: Now we’re thinking of going to the fireworks show, but Quentin can’t go with us because he has something to do.
Quentin: I wish I could go.

Also, didn’t you once have a party in your lab where international students cooked for you?
Karen: Yes, yes. In our lab, there are some international students from different countries every year. We can enjoy eating each other country’s dish. So far, I’ve had Venezuelan food and Taiwanese food at our party.

I can see that you two have grown close through daily communication and sharing various events, and both of you are smiling throughout the interview. It seems that both Japanese and international students have a positive influence on each other’s life in Japan. Thank you very much for talking with me today.

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Since graduate students spend most of their time in the laboratory, the friends you make in the laboratory will greatly influence your life as an international student. Japanese people are often thought to be shy, but most of them look forward to spending time with international students at many events. I want to encourage you to approach your lab mates proactively and try to make your lab life enjoyable. I will continue to interview Japanese and international students about their friendships. Keep a look out for the next article!

Lastly, here is a message from Quentin.

Quentin
Fukuoka is a nice city and Kyushu University is a good university. Many people on our campus are unique and interesting, so you will never stop talking with them. I also recommend you to study Japanese because you will be able to talk more and more with Japanese people if you study Japanese a little.

* This interview was conducted in June. Usually, in Japan, you can enjoy fireworks events during summer.

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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 from 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
Graduate School of Design, Department of Design
Human Life Design and Science Course
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