On March 4, One-Year Activity Report Meeting by the 2025 residents (five Japanese students and five international students) of the International Student Dormitory “Fugaku Dormitory” was held at the Kusanagi Campus of the University of Shizuoka.
Fugaku Dormitory is a dormitory where both Japanese and international students live together, and to date, students from 14 countries have shared their daily lives and academic experiences there. This year, students from Japan, Myanmar, Korea, France, Russia, Türkiye, and Spain—representing a wide range of cultural backgrounds—deepened their intercultural understanding through everyday life and cultivated friendships that transcended differences in language and values.
At the presentation, the residents, having completed their one-year stay, reflected on what they had learned through dormitory events and communal living. They spoke candidly about both the challenges and the joys of intercultural exchange. Although they sometimes experienced misunderstandings and conflicts, it was impressive to see how they made efforts to understand one another and grew together over the course of the year.
One student shared, “After finishing my classes and returning to the dorm, I felt relieved when I saw the lights on and heard everyone’s laughter.” Another commented, “Even if our nationalities and cultures are different, I realized that, in the end, it is about person-to-person connections, and we can truly understand one another.” An international student also remarked, “I really enjoyed experiencing Japanese daily life together with Japanese students.” Their reflections highlighted how life in the dormitory has become a valuable opportunity for learning and meaningful exchange.
We will continue to provide an environment where students from Japan and around the world can learn together and grow together.
Fugaku Dormitory is a dormitory where both Japanese and international students live together, and to date, students from 14 countries have shared their daily lives and academic experiences there. This year, students from Japan, Myanmar, Korea, France, Russia, Türkiye, and Spain—representing a wide range of cultural backgrounds—deepened their intercultural understanding through everyday life and cultivated friendships that transcended differences in language and values.
At the presentation, the residents, having completed their one-year stay, reflected on what they had learned through dormitory events and communal living. They spoke candidly about both the challenges and the joys of intercultural exchange. Although they sometimes experienced misunderstandings and conflicts, it was impressive to see how they made efforts to understand one another and grew together over the course of the year.
One student shared, “After finishing my classes and returning to the dorm, I felt relieved when I saw the lights on and heard everyone’s laughter.” Another commented, “Even if our nationalities and cultures are different, I realized that, in the end, it is about person-to-person connections, and we can truly understand one another.” An international student also remarked, “I really enjoyed experiencing Japanese daily life together with Japanese students.” Their reflections highlighted how life in the dormitory has become a valuable opportunity for learning and meaningful exchange.
We will continue to provide an environment where students from Japan and around the world can learn together and grow together.
A resident speaking about a fulfilling year
Smiles after the annual report presentation