Japan » Waseda » Living in Waseda

The Location

A key milestone in Japanese history, the establishment of the village of Edo as the capital of the Tokugawa Shogunate, marks the beginning of Japan’s evolution from ancient tradition to world superpower to the modern global metropolis of today.

For many students, Tokyo represents a geographic focus of their studies and concepts of Japan. Truly, even through its awesome size and modern face, Tokyo also remains a center of Japanese art, culture and society.

Living in Tokyo is truly an awe inspiring experience. Over 8 million people are said to reside in the central city of Tokyo. The population of the larger city area is said to be over 12 million and 25 million are said to reside in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area.

Still, even in this large modern city, students experience Japan on a personal level. Sanctuaries of reflective solitude, history and culture are easily found and explored. In fact, one of the University of Oregon faculty members, Professor Emeritus Stephen Kohl, compiled this wonderful introduction to the neighborhood treasures that can be found around Waseda.

Accommodations

The OUS – Waseda program is a homestay program. Students accepted into the program will be asked to complete a homestay questionnaire that will be used to tentatively match you with a homestay family. Upon your arrival in Tokyo, all students will participate in a multi-day orientation at Waseda and spend the first few days at a hotel near the university. After your stay at the hotel, you will meet your homestay family and begin your new life at your Japanese home! (Take out - During that period you and your homestay family will have an opportunity to meet and become acquainted.)

Living with a family will probably be one of the most significant factors in helping you learn about and understand the Japanese way of life. The homestay offers perhaps the most sympathetic environment for learning and testing new skills in intercultural interaction. A family is usually eager to learn about its new guest, and will extend a warm welcome and hospitality in order to put you at ease. Of course, you will find many opportunities to make cultural "mistakes" in the homestay situation, but the consequences are usually less threatening than in an academic setting, and you are more likely to learn from whatever mistakes you make. Your Japanese family can provide the additional benefit of acting as an extremely accurate cultural informant, and demonstrating Japanese values, norms, and common language usage.

On-Site Support

In addition to their homestay families, other Oregon and international students, the Oregon University System has two resident staff members at Waseda. In the fall semester, one Oregon faculty member serves as the Resident Director of the Oregon University System Japan Studies Center at Waseda. In addition to teaching a course at Waseda’s School of International Liberal Studies, the resident director typically holds office hours to meet with Oregon students, participates in group activities and is otherwise available to mentor and support students.

The Oregon University System’s experienced program associate, Marie Sato, is available year- round to support students and to help introduce them to Japan.