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CaliGT

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11 Oct 2015
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Hi,
I'm currently a student from California is going to be starting in Waseda in the fall. I was wondering if you guys can tell me what are some clubs that I can join in order to meet students who are very social, like going out, enjoy group activities.

I looked into groups that are volunteering based, and I'm going to try to join groups where I can help kids in Japan. However, I know that Japans Society is built on group relations and I don't want to spend too long trying to develop those relations; because, I want to try to develop those relations while actually being in a group. So I'm hoping you might be able to tell me what groups, social events, and clubs are good for basically enjoying my time as student while obtaining my minors.

I want to experience Tokyo day and night, its very rare that a western student to be able to experience this kind of a life style in a city like Tokyo. I want t be able to make the most of it so that I can make friends and enjoy my tie in the country.

I looked into American football, Kendo, and other activities but I don't know what they're like.

Can you give me any suggestions?

Thanks :)
 
You're a 21 year old American male and you don't know what American football is like?
 
You're a 21 year old American male and you don't know what American football is like?
In Japan, I used to play in the States, I played OLB/TE (I liked defense more)
But, American football is not as big, and I know it is not as serious in Japan as it is in the US.

So I am looking for other outlets for reaching out to Waseda social life
 
I would hope you checked these...?
http://www.waseda.jp/student/weekly/info/info2012english.pdf
Circle Activities | Student Affairs Division Student Affairs Section|WASEDA University
http://www.waseda.jp/student/gakusei/2015_intro_of_alloffcialcircle.pdf


I know that Japans Society is built on group relations and I don't want to spend too long trying to develop those relations; because, I want to try to develop those relations while actually being in a group.
foreigners suffer because Japanese often treat them only as free English lesson givers. Some women just want a trophy or sugar daddy to show their friends while not treating you well. I don't really expect that you will get anywhere near the social level that 2 Japanese would have, because it rarely happens and takes more time than you have in school, so heads up on that. How's your own Japanese, by the way? Average TOEIC for incoming Waseda students is mediocre (505).
 
I would hope you checked these...?
http://www.waseda.jp/student/weekly/info/info2012english.pdf
Circle Activities | Student Affairs Division Student Affairs Section|WASEDA University
http://www.waseda.jp/student/gakusei/2015_intro_of_alloffcialcircle.pdf


foreigners suffer because Japanese often treat them only as free English lesson givers. Some women just want a trophy or sugar daddy to show their friends while not treating you well. I don't really expect that you will get anywhere near the social level that 2 Japanese would have, because it rarely happens and takes more time than you have in school, so heads up on that. How's your own Japanese, by the way? Average TOEIC for incoming Waseda students is mediocre (505).

I will have take 3 years before going, so I hope I will be past level 2. For where I am at, I am doing quite well. My Japanese professor has students who have gone onto to get their PhD from Todai, Keio, Waseda, Kyoto, etc and she is kind of excited to have me apply for the program. I hope that through her teachings I will be better than average.

I am not like most foreigners who turn away from the first sign of adversity, I normally stick it through because when I was dating a Japanese girl before, I realized there was a bit of a hazing process for me through. But, I dont know if that was one experience or overall.


I did find a list of hundreds of clubs in Waseda; but, many seem to be done accepting members in April, I wont be there until fall.
 
I'm currently a student from California is going to be starting in Waseda in the fall. I was wondering if you guys can tell me what are some clubs that I can join in order to meet students who are very social, like going out, enjoy group activities.

From my times as an exchange student in Japan I know that during your orientation day/week, you will be told which activities/circles you can join. Some will only be open for degree seeking students, some also for exchange students. Don't feel discriminated if you can't join one you would like to join. In some cases it is just that they take it very seriously and practise for a long time. Exchange students just come and go. Your home university should have some students with previous experience at Waseda, so you could ask your international office to put you in contact with them.

I want to experience Tokyo day and night, its very rare that a western student to be able to experience this kind of a life style in a city like Tokyo.

I hope you do not translate this in hoping that you will hardly ever encounter foreigners. Japanese universities have many exchange partnerships with foreign universities, so you will be around many non-Japanese. Especially if you go to Tokyo and to a famous university like Waseda. Non of this is a problem, and I am sure that you will have an amazing time, just know that nowadays an exchange to Tokyo is not "rare" anymore.
 
Universities accept students in spring and fall. Couldn't say when the clubs stop accepting. You're going to want some time to adjust before jumping into clubs anyway.
 
Sports would probably be the easiest type of club to start with ... Issues of communication, etc can be skipped over once the game or match begins.

I participated in in a university baseball club shortly after arriving to Japan while I was still getting settled and getting started with my language study. It worked out OK. Now, if that was a literature club ....
 
Congratulations on your upcoming study abroad experience, I hope it'll be eye-opening and pivotal for you. Are you coming from the CSU program or something else? I'm an alumnus of the CSU-IP with SILS at Waseda, and it was a great experience for me.

There are two categories of social groups you can join, clubs and circles. In my experience, the clubs have been MUCH more involved to the point of dominating your student life. In other words, you might be able to juggle joining a few circles, but you wouldn't be able to devote yourself to more than one club. Pick an activity that you're passionate about, and there will probably be a group for it. Shop around and find the right crowd for you. Some clubs may not be open to new members who are only around for a year, and communication might be a challenge at times as there are many Japanese students who are not into English at all

There are two international groups that were active during my time there (this was back in '06-07), WIC and Niji-no-kai, and they are still around to my knowledge. Both are focused on facilitating interactions between Japanese and international students. I participated in several events though I never formally joined either, as there were several lovely people in both and I had a hard time choosing (and was busy with other things). When international students first arrive, both clubs usually arrange big mixers/nomikai for people to get acquainted. Whether it's your scene or not is very much up to you, but both clubs do more than just drink together (although it does depend on the people in the club that year, and everyone has their own perception), so look at the kind of events they have planned and decide whether you'd like to get involved. Although some people really dedicated themselves to these groups, the international clubs seemed much more relaxed and easygoing than other, more demanding clubs.
 
From my times as an exchange student in Japan I know that during your orientation day/week, you will be told which activities/circles you can join. Some will only be open for degree seeking students, some also for exchange students. Don't feel discriminated if you can't join one you would like to join. In some cases it is just that they take it very seriously and practise for a long time. Exchange students just come and go. Your home university should have some students with previous experience at Waseda, so you could ask your international office to put you in contact with them.



I hope you do not translate this in hoping that you will hardly ever encounter foreigners. Japanese universities have many exchange partnerships with foreign universities, so you will be around many non-Japanese. Especially if you go to Tokyo and to a famous university like Waseda. Non of this is a problem, and I am sure that you will have an amazing time, just know that nowadays an exchange to Tokyo is not "rare" anymore.

I am not worried about being discriminated against. I want to be able to enjoy everything Japan has to offer, not just the typical "international student life"
 
Congratulations on your upcoming study abroad experience, I hope it'll be eye-opening and pivotal for you. Are you coming from the CSU program or something else? I'm an alumnus of the CSU-IP with SILS at Waseda, and it was a great experience for me.

There are two categories of social groups you can join, clubs and circles. In my experience, the clubs have been MUCH more involved to the point of dominating your student life. In other words, you might be able to juggle joining a few circles, but you wouldn't be able to devote yourself to more than one club. Pick an activity that you're passionate about, and there will probably be a group for it. Shop around and find the right crowd for you. Some clubs may not be open to new members who are only around for a year, and communication might be a challenge at times as there are many Japanese students who are not into English at all

There are two international groups that were active during my time there (this was back in '06-07), WIC and Niji-no-kai, and they are still around to my knowledge. Both are focused on facilitating interactions between Japanese and international students. I participated in several events though I never formally joined either, as there were several lovely people in both and I had a hard time choosing (and was busy with other things). When international students first arrive, both clubs usually arrange big mixers/nomikai for people to get acquainted. Whether it's your scene or not is very much up to you, but both clubs do more than just drink together (although it does depend on the people in the club that year, and everyone has their own perception), so look at the kind of events they have planned and decide whether you'd like to get involved. Although some people really dedicated themselves to these groups, the international clubs seemed much more relaxed and easygoing than other, more demanding clubs.

Hello, I am coming from a private connection but I have friends in the CSU applying next year. CSU Waseda program is not as popular as it used since the economic downturn because of the cost. My friend said it was over $32,000 and that doesn't even include the money needed to live in Japan.

I told him he should be fine. He has a good GPA with an electrical engineering, japanese, and finance background. Overall I think he will get in.

I want to be able to
-go out and party
-volunteer in the hospital (i enjoy working with kids)
-spend more time in the Tokyo night scene
-develop connections
-etc

I will keep your advice into account. Thank you :)
 
There are so many possibilities how to spend time in Japan, but if you are still a student, you need to have a time for your study!

May I ask what your connection with that site is? And your native language?
 
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