Why Did I Apply? 

A friend of mine was living in International Student Shared House, and I was invited there several times, which gave me opportunities to interact with international students. Through those experiences, I became interested in getting to know more international students and supporting them. I also considered living in the International Student Share House, but since I enjoy planning and organizing events, I was more interested in a position where I could support a greater number of international students, which led me to apply for the Resident Assistant role. In addition, I was planning to study abroad in September 2025, so I wanted to gain experience in intercultural exchange and have more chances to use English in my daily life before going overseas. That is why I decided to apply for the RA position.

Atmosphere and Daily Life at Kuwanoki Dormitory

The common space on the first floor was always filled with cheerful sounds such as the piano playing, friendly conversations, and laughter. It had a bright and lively atmosphere. When I walked down the hallway, the aroma of dishes from different countries drifted through the air, making me feel as if I were living abroad. In daily life, I naturally interacted with international students by chatting when we passed each other or playing table tennis together in the shared space. Unlike  Shared House, each resident has a private room, which allows for a calm and comfortable lifestyle.  The dorm managers were all very kind and supportive. They helped not only with RA duties but also with everyday matters, so I was able to live comfortably and without worry.

What I Gained from Being an RA

One of the most valuable experiences I had was planning and organizing events. I learned to think about what kind of activities would attract interest and how to communicate their appeal effectively. With helpful advice from the staff of the International Education and Student Mobility Division and through teamwork with other RAs, I was able to be creative and learn practical skills that will be useful in my future career.

Another important experience was living together with international students. At times, I was surprised by differences in values and perspectives, and I realized that what I considered normal was not always the same for others. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of expressing my thoughts clearly, which I believe became great preparation for studying abroad.

What Was Challenging

One challenge I faced was when only one student showed up on the day of an event. At that moment, the RAs who were present worked together and adjusted the plan so that the student could experience everything they wanted to do. In the end, the student enjoyed the event very much, and it turned out to be a meaningful and fulfilling exchange made possible by the small group setting.

Another challenge was when I had to handle an emergency situation by myself. I had difficulty communicating with the hospital because I was not familiar with medical terms. Even so, I tried to stay calm and used gestures and a gentle attitude to help the student feel safe. I was very touched when the student thanked me afterward, and it became an opportunity for us to become closer. 

What I Learned

As an RA, I had many opportunities to communicate with various people, including the staff of the International Education and Student Mobility Division, dorm managers, and international students. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of replying to emails quickly and clearly, meeting deadlines, and preparing reports that could be useful for future RAs. I believe these are fundamental skills that will also be valuable in my professional career.

While living in the dormitory, there were times when differences in values between residents led to misunderstandings. Through those situations, I naturally developed the ability to express my thoughts clearly and communicate with confidence.

How the RA Experience Influenced Me

Through dorm life, where something new happened almost every day, I learned to act quickly and adapt to unexpected situations. Even with regular RA duties, many tasks were new to me, and I often felt uncertain about whether things would go well. However, by trying to approach everything with a “let’s give it a try” attitude, I became more confident in handling challenges without fear of failure.

In addition, since students often moved in and out of the dormitory, I learned to overcome hesitation and shyness by taking the initiative to talk to others. I realized that every moment was precious, and this experience gave me the courage to reach out and connect with people before the opportunity passed.

How I Want to Use This Experience

In my upcoming study abroad program, I want to make use of the courage I gained as an RA to start conversations with new people and expand my world through meaningful interactions.

I know that I will face challenges and make mistakes both during my studies abroad and in my future career, but I want to focus not on being perfect, but on showing understanding toward others while clearly expressing my own thoughts. By doing so, I hope to build better relationships and continue to grow through every experience.

Message to Applicants 

Being an RA offers a very special opportunity to live surrounded by many international students, sometimes close to one hundred, while staying in Japan. I decided to take on the challenge because I wanted to interact with international students, plan and organize events that everyone could enjoy, and develop new skills to grow as a person. I feel that I was able to achieve all of these goals. 

If even one of these reasons speaks to you, I am sure you will never regret trying. I joined as an RA during the first semester of my fourth year, and since I was preparing for study abroad, I could only participate for half a year. That is why I now think, “I wish I had started earlier.” Compared to Shared House, there may be fewer chances to interact with international students in daily life, but through events and activities, you can create as many opportunities as you like. Why not become part of this exciting and rewarding experience as an RA?